iPhone 17 Air May Debut with Sleek Redesign and Unique Camera Placement

Highlights

Apple’s iPhone 17 Air may feature a distinct left-aligned selfie camera and ultra-thin design, setting it apart from peers.

Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air has made headlines once again—this time due to a design leak that hints at a distinct visual identity. A new image of a screen protector, reportedly made for the Air model, suggests Apple may be shifting the front camera to the left side of the Dynamic Island. The leak comes from reputable tipster Majin Bu, known for accurate insights into Apple’s unreleased products.

This would mark a break from Apple’s standard design convention, as the camera in current models—including the iPhone 16 series—resides on the right. The screen protector appears to be specifically designed for the iPhone 17 Air, which is rumoured to be Apple’s slimmest smartphone ever. At just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, the ultra-thin profile could necessitate an internal reshuffle, likely prompting the camera relocation.

What makes this change more significant is that protectors made for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max show no such shift. This suggests that the new placement could be exclusive to the Air model and not driven by a universal camera upgrade.

Slim, Light, and Feature-Packed

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to weigh around 146 grams, combining a sleek feel with a premium build. It will likely include a glass back, MagSafe wireless charging, and continue using Face ID for biometric security.

Camera and Display Upgrades

All iPhone 17 models are said to receive a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, double the resolution of the iPhone 16 lineup. However, experts speculate that the repositioning of the Air’s selfie camera is more about accommodating the phone’s ultra-thin design than the improved sensor itself. The rear camera on the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be a single 48-megapixel shooter, offering capable performance while maintaining a minimalist profile.

Advanced Battery and Chipset Technology

Despite its compact form factor, the iPhone 17 Air may include a 2,800mAh battery — smaller in size but reportedly more efficient, thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology. This advanced battery chemistry provides higher energy density, potentially delivering better battery life despite the smaller cell.

Under the hood, Apple is expected to power the device with its next-generation A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, similar to the configuration seen in the iPhone 16 Plus. This ensures the device will be future-ready, with strong multitasking capabilities and long-term software support.

iPhone 17 Series Launch Timeline

While Apple has not made any official announcements yet, the iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September 2025, consistent with Apple’s usual release pattern. Pre-orders and sales are likely to begin soon after the unveiling.

Adding to the excitement, Apple may also introduce a more budget-friendly variant—the iPhone 17e—in early 2026. However, the iPhone 17 Air could see a slightly delayed release compared to the standard models. If the current leaks are accurate, the repositioned camera could be a focal point of discussion at launch.

As anticipation builds, the iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be more than just another model in the lineup—it may signal a fresh design direction for future Apple devices.