iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Plus – Hands-on Images reveal Apple’s controversial redesign. Is thinner REALLY better? Battery life tests incoming!
Apple is making a big change in its iPhone lineup this year. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the iPhone 16 Plus when the iPhone 17 series is launched in September 2025.
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iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Plus: A New Direction for Apple
Recently leaked photos by tipster Majin Bu have shown a side-by-side look at both phones. From what we can see, Apple is clearly focusing on making the Air model much thinner and lighter, likely hoping it will perform better in sales than the Plus models, which haven’t sold as well in past years.
Thinner and Lighter, But at What Cost?
One of the most noticeable things about the iPhone 17 Air is its slim body. Rumors suggest the device is just 5.5mm to 5.65mm thick, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever made. It will also weigh just 145 grams, which is lighter than both the iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge.
To make it this slim, Apple reportedly had to use a much smaller battery. The iPhone 17 Air could come with just a 2,800mAh battery, a big drop from what users are used to in today’s smartphones.
In comparison, the Galaxy S25 Edge has a 3,900mAh battery, which already raised concerns for being small in 2025 standards. Apple may try to fix this by offering a battery case, but that could defeat the purpose of the phone’s slim design.
What’s New in the iPhone 17 Air?
While the small battery may be a downside, the iPhone 17 Air does bring some new features:
- Display: 6.6-inch screen with Dynamic Island
- Camera Control Button: A new addition to improve photography experience
- Performance: Powered by the A19 chip for faster speeds
- Connectivity: Includes WiFi 7 for faster internet
- Modem: Comes with a C1 modem to help save battery
- Camera: Only one rear camera, likely to save space
- Screen Quality: A 120Hz refresh rate is now standard
- Durability: Stronger glass to reduce screen damage
iPhone 17 Air Vs. iPhone 16 Plus Vs. Galaxy S25 Edge: Feature Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 17 Air | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5.5mm – 5.65mm | 7.8mm (est.) | 7.1mm |
| Weight | 145g | 203g (approx.) | 163g |
| Battery Capacity | 2,800mAh | 4,400mAh (est.) | 3,900mAh |
| Display Size | 6.6-inch, 120Hz | 6.7-inch, 60Hz | 6.8-inch, 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Chipset | A19 | A17 | Exynos 2500 |
| Modem | C1 | Qualcomm X70 | X60 5G |
Why Apple Is Making This Change?
The iPhone Plus models have never been the top sellers in the iPhone lineup. Apple seems to be betting that a lighter, thinner phone with a modern design and new features will attract more buyers.
The iPhone 17 Air may appeal to people who want a stylish phone that’s easy to carry. But heavy phone users and gamers might find the smaller battery a problem, especially without fast charging news yet.
As always, the real test will be how the phone performs in daily use once it officially launches. Buyers will have to decide if the slim and light build is worth the potential battery limitations.
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