Apple drops plans for port-free iPhone 17 Air; Here’s why

Apple's newly rumored iPhone 17 series has been making the rounds, with numerous leaks suggesting four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim), iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The series will drop in the latter half of the year, and word is that the iPhone 17 Air also does away with the Plus model, making it Apple's thinnest phone to date.

Apple's port-free iPhone plan

Bloomberg's well-known tech reporter Mark Gurman has published fresh details on the iPhone 17 Air, announcing that Apple initially planned to launch it as the first port-free iPhone. The phone would feature wireless charging and cloud syncing of information, rendering ports useless. However, due to potential regulatory problems with the European Union (EU), Apple allegedly shelved this plan for now. The EU had already compelled Apple to shift from its native Lightning port to USB-C, which could have been a factor in the decision.

Expected features of iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air is claimed to be Apple's thinnest phone till date, measuring a total of just 9.5mm, with the camera protruding by 4mm. It is claimed to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and Apple's Dynamic Island technology. The camera setup is reported to feature a 24MP front camera and a 48MP single camera at the back. The phone could also come with a titanium frame for better durability.

Another major feature is the inclusion of Apple's very first built-in 5G modem and top-end Wi-Fi chip, which would have a chance at totally transforming connectivity. 

Pricing and performance

Leaks suggest that iPhone 17 Air will cost between $1,299 and $1,500 (approximately ₹1,09,000 and ₹1,26,000). It should be powered by Apple's next-gen A18 or A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence special features, making it a monster among smartphones.