The iPhone Air (also referred to as iPhone 17 Air) achieves its record-breaking 5.6 mm thickness through a combination of advanced materials and significant hardware compromises designed to free up internal volume,.
Here are the specific engineering and design choices that enable this ultra-thin form factor:
- Removal of the Physical SIM Slot: The device will rely exclusively on eSIM technology globally. By removing the physical SIM card tray in all regions, Apple saves valuable internal space required to thin down the chassis,.
- Simplified Camera System: The iPhone Air abandons the multi-lens systems found in other models. It features only a single 48MP rear camera located in the top center of the device. This eliminates the space needed for ultra-wide or telephoto lenses and the hardware required for spatial video capture,.
- Mono Audio System: To conserve space, the device omits the bottom speaker entirely. It relies on a single speaker (combined with the earpiece) at the top, resulting in monophonic rather than stereo sound.
- Titanium Frame: To maintain structural integrity at such a reduced thickness and avoid bending issues (reminiscent of the iPhone 6), the iPhone Air utilizes a frame made of Grade 5 Titanium.
- Reduced Battery and Components: The device uses a smaller battery with a capacity of approximately 2,800 mAh. To compensate for the limited space, Apple may utilize high-density battery technology and a new, energy-efficient Apple C1 modem,. Additionally, it lacks the LiDAR scanner found on Pro models and does not support mmWave 5G antennas, which saves further space and battery power.