In a newMedium post today , analyst Ming - Chi Kuo adumbrate a few first moment for the iPhone manikin occur this year . Most of it corroboratesprevious iPhone 17 rumorsand Kuo ’s own previous statements , but there is one interesting tidbit : The iPhone 17 Air could be a sight thin than primitively reported .
While previous rumor have put the iPhone 17 tune at around 6.25 mm , Kuo tell the “ thinnest part ” of the iPhone 17 Air ( or whatever Apple call the super - svelte role model ) will be just 5.5 mm . It ’s indecipherable what he means by this , though — the ultra - thin iPhone 17 could have a tapered design , or he could just be referring to rounded edges that leave less room for certain internal parts that come near the edge of the phone . But it does mean the iPhone 17 Air will be incredibly slender .
So thinly , in fact , that compromises will need to be made . In Kuo ’s report , it ’s the SIM calling card tray that is the point of focussing . Kuo say , as others have , that there ’s no room for one in the iPhone 17 Air for a physical tray so it will rely on eSIM only . That ’s not a big deal for the U.S. , which has used eSIM for a while , but it could make big problem when trying to trade the phone in China , where physical SIM cards are required . We ’ve also learn reports that the phone ’s tenuity could mean a smaller batter and fewer cameras .
This , and other factors , moderate Kuo to believe that 2025 iPhone sales may actually descend in 8 - 10 pct below outlook . This is even with the new iPhone SE launching this bound and the exciting newfangled modelling in the fall . Kuo build a reputation for predicting future iPhone models and slaes targets more accurately than most , thanks to a bevy of contacts throughout Apple ’s supplying chain .
Kuo further says that Apple Intelligence has not driven iPhone sales event . Customers just are n’t excited about it , as the timbre of Apple ’s offering has lagged behind vie AI solution . What ’s more , Apple Intelligence is astaged rolloutwith its most interesting and singular new feature — a more utilitarian and personal Siri — still a duo of month away from acquittance .
Apple si have a bun in the oven to release the iPhone 17 AIr in September as a alternate for the iPhone 17 Plus . However , it ’s have a bun in the oven to have a high cost than the $ 899 iPhone 15 Plus , which could also hurt sales event , Kuo claims .
