In a brand new Medium submit at the moment, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlines just a few expectations for the iPhone fashions coming this yr. Most of it corroborates earlier iPhone 17 rumors and Kuo’s personal earlier statements, however there’s one attention-grabbing tidbit: The iPhone 17 Air could possibly be quite a bit thinner than initially reported.
Whereas earlier rumors have put the iPhone 17 Air at round 6.25mm, Kuo says the “thinnest half” of the iPhone 17 Air (or no matter Apple calls the super-slim mannequin) might be simply 5.5mm. It’s unclear what he means by this, although—the ultra-thin iPhone 17 might have a tapered design, or he might simply be referring to rounded edges that go away much less room for sure inner elements that come close to the sting of the cellphone. But it surely does imply the iPhone 17 Air might be extremely skinny.
So skinny, in actual fact, that compromises will must be made. In Kuo’s report, it’s the SIM card tray that’s the level of focus. Kuo says, as others have, that there’s no room for one within the iPhone 17 Air for a bodily tray so it’s going to depend on eSIM solely. That’s not a giant deal for the U.S., which has used eSIM for some time, nevertheless it might trigger large issues when attempting to promote the cellphone in China, the place bodily SIM playing cards are required. We’ve additionally heard reviews that the cellphone’s thinness might imply a smaller batter and fewer cameras.
This, and different elements, lead Kuo to imagine that 2025 iPhone gross sales may very well are available 8-10 % beneath expectations. That is even with the brand new iPhone SE launching this spring and the thrilling new fashions within the fall. Kuo constructed a status for predicting future iPhone fashions and slaes targets extra precisely than most, because of a bevy of contacts all through Apple’s provide chain.
Kuo additional says that Apple Intelligence has not pushed iPhone gross sales. Clients simply aren’t enthusiastic about it, as the standard of Apple’s providing has lagged behind competing AI options. What’s extra, Apple Intelligence is a staged rollout with its most attention-grabbing and distinctive new function—a extra helpful and private Siri—nonetheless a few months away from launch.
Apple si anticipated to launch the iPhone 17 AIr in September as a substitute for the iPhone 17 Plus. Nonetheless, it’s anticipated to have the next value than the $899 iPhone 15 Plus, which might additionally harm gross sales, Kuo claims.