Tim Hardwick
Apple's new iPhone 17 Air model has reportedly entered the new product introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, according to supply chain sources (via DigiTimes).
The NPI phase takes a product from concept to mass production, starting with design review and prototype testing, followed by supplier qualification and manufacturing process development. Pilot production runs test assembly and improve quality control while aligning logistics with the supply chain, with the ultimate goal of scaling up production.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup and is reported to have a significantly thinner design than current iPhone models. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the phone will be about two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro.
In terms of size, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to fall somewhere between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Separate rumors have claimed that Apple has settled on display sizes of 6.55 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.65 inches, which would make it smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max but larger than the 17 Pro.
Apple is expected to equip the iPhone 17 Air with its own custom-designed 5G modem chip, which is smaller than Qualcomm's 5G modem chips. According to Gurman, Apple focused on making the chip more integrated with other Apple-designed components to save space on the iPhone without sacrificing battery life or display quality.
Meanwhile, the rear camera will be moved from the top left of the iPhone to the center of the device, as part of a “large, centered camera bump,” according to The Information. Analyst Jeff Pu believes it will feature a single 48-megapixel lens.
The iPhone 17 Air will debut next year alongside the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — the Pro models are said to have their own significant design changes.
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