CUPERTINO: Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to introduce an ultra-thin design, and according to reports, the company initially considered making it completely portless—including dropping the USB-C port. While Apple ultimately decided to keep USB-C, industry insiders suggest a port-free iPhone remains a possibility for future models.
Renowned Apple analyst Mark Gurman claims the iPhone 17 Air will hint at the company’s vision for slimmer devices without charging ports. The device is expected to be a major shift in Apple’s lineup, acting as an experimental model that could pave the way for drastic design changes. Reports suggest the iPhone 17 Air could be as thin as 5.5mm at its slimmest point, with a camera bump measuring around 9.5mm.
The idea of a portless iPhone is not new. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted that Apple would launch its first port-free device in 2021. However, Apple only recently transitioned to USB-C, indicating that completely eliminating ports might still take a few more years. The company is likely waiting for its wireless technology to advance enough to provide a seamless, fully wireless charging experience.
Beyond its sleek design, the iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to feature Apple’s custom C1 chip, expected to be more efficient than the Qualcomm modems used in the iPhone 16. This improvement is crucial as slimmer devices could mean smaller batteries, making energy efficiency a top priority for Apple.
With Apple constantly evolving its technology, the iPhone 17 Air could set the stage for a bold new direction. Stay tuned for more updates on Apple’s latest innovations.
