Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup will introduce one major new model: the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. Thanks to this new option, and some changes to the 17 Pro line, the company could finally please two very different kinds of users.
A tale of two iPhone 17 customers
This fall, Apple is expected to launch the following four iPhones:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
There’s a chance the Pro Max could get rebranded as Ultra, but let’s just assume Apple sticks with the Pro Max name.
Even though there’s technically only one new model being introduced, the 17 Air combined with updates to the Pro line means Apple has options for users with very opposite preferences.
If you want an ultra-thin, futuristic, eye-catching new iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air will be perfect for you.
To be clear, it won’t have all the best features—there’s only one rear camera, battery life won’t quite be as strong, and it has a slightly less powerful processor.
But if slim, light, and brand new is what you’ve been wanting from an iPhone, the 17 Air will be perfect for you.
For another group of customers, getting the most powerful, overall ‘best’ iPhone is their preference.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have you covered there.
They’ll come with the best chip, the most versatile camera system, more RAM, and better battery.
With the 17 Pro Max specifically, Apple reportedly plans to make the device thicker to pack even more battery in.
Basically, the 17 Pro line will be the workhorse models. If all you really want is an iPhone that can take everything you throw at it, and run as long as possible, the 17 Pro Max in particular will be for you.
iPhone 17 models: wrap-up
Overall, Apple plans to offer a little something for everyone: the extremes of ultra-thin in 17 Air, ultra-thick in 17 Pro Max, and the standard iPhone 17 and 17 Pro that offer more balance.
Top comment by Blurft
But if slim, light, and brand new is what you’ve been wanting from an iPhone, the 17 Air will be perfect for you.
Once again, I think a lot of people in the tech reporting sphere are overestimating how many people want this, especially at the premium price that's been rumored. People are struggling to pay for groceries, their retirement accounts are losing value, tariffs are raising prices for many other large purchases, and there are general concerns about global economic instability.
$900 for a phone that has fewer features and worse battery life, but serves to show off that you have The Newest Thing, is just not something that many people are going to want to do in the current market.
Every year, Apple has to make a set of choices regarding whether the iPhone should be thicker or thinner, heavier or lighter, with more power and battery or less.
This year, the company will actually be able to fulfill users’ wishes at both extremes.
It’s been a long time since Apple offered just a single iPhone model for everyone. But with the iPhone 17 line—and especially the Air and Pro Max—the company is set to finally offer a model tailored to just about anyone.
Which iPhone 17 model do you plan to buy? Let us know in the comments.
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