iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Plus: A Bold New Direction in Apple’s Lineup

Apple is gearing up to retire the Plus model in favor of a new, slimmer design — introducing the iPhone 17 Air. Set to launch alongside the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max this September, the iPhone 17 Air is being positioned as the lightest and thinnest iPhone yet, indirectly replacing the iPhone 16 Plus.

But is this redesign worth the trade-offs? Here's what we know so far.

Photo credit: Majin Bu

A Major Design Shift

Leaked images circulating on X show the iPhone 17 Air next to the 16 Plus — and the size difference is significant. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be only 5.5mm to 5.65mm thick, which is dramatically thinner than the 16 Plus. For reference, that’s slimmer than most smartphones on the market today, including the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge.

This focus on thinness gives the iPhone 17 Air a sleek new identity. In fact, the “Air” branding is a nod to Apple’s older iPad Air and MacBook Air lines — ultra-lightweight and ultra-portable.

Battery Trade-Offs

However, that thinness comes at a cost. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 2,800 mAh battery, significantly smaller than the 4,400 mAh cell in the iPhone 16 Plus. Even Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is said to have a 3,900 mAh battery — still bigger than what Apple is rumored to include.

Apple may offset this with power optimizations via iOS and the new A-series chip, but it seems likely that battery life could take a noticeable hit. That’s where a battery case may come in — ironically negating the benefit of having an ultra-thin phone.

Camera and Weight

Unlike the dual-camera setup on the iPhone 16 Plus and competing models like the Galaxy S25 Edge, the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly feature just a single rear camera. This further emphasizes Apple’s focus on minimalism — though it might be a step back for users who value photographic flexibility.

The good news? The iPhone 17 Air will weigh just 145 grams, making it one of the lightest full-size smartphones Apple has ever made.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s move to sunset the Plus model and introduce the iPhone 17 Air is a clear response to declining Plus sales. While the thin and light form factor may attract a new group of buyers, the reduced battery and camera hardware could disappoint some.

That said, this is Apple — and with the right balance of design, performance, and branding, the iPhone 17 Air might just be the surprise hit of the year.