The iPhone 17 Air launched during the “Awe Dropping” Apple event on September 9, 2025, at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, streaming live globally. The model reflects a new design direction for Apple, focusing on thinness and portability without sacrificing flagship-level features.
This model replaces the traditional “Plus” variant and stands out for its premium design and lighter weight compared to the iPhone 17 and Pro counterparts, positioning for users who want a high-performance yet slim iPhone
| Feature | Specification/Details |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 16.63 cm (6.5″) Super Retina XDR display |
| Display Technology | ProMotion technology, Always-On display, Dynamic Island |
| Build Material | Titanium frame |
| Physical Controls | Action button |
| Camera Control | Faster access to photo and video tools |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip |
| GPU | 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators |
| Graphics Capability | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Battery Life | Up to 27 hours video playback |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage front camera |
| Front Camera Features | Tap to zoom and rotate, Centre Stage for photos, Ultra-stabilised video, Dual Capture, Centre Stage for video calls |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Fusion camera system (48MP Fusion Main) |
| Photo Resolution | Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
| Portrait Features | Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control |
| Macro Photography | No Macro photography |
| Video Recording | Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Photo Styles | Latest-generation Photographic Styles |
Comparison of iPhone 17 Air with iPhone 17 Series Models
The key features that are not present in the iPhone 17 Air, compared to the more advanced iPhone 17 Pro models, include several camera and hardware capabilities. The iPhone 17 Air lacks the Ultra Wide and Telephoto rear cameras, meaning it only supports 1× and 2× zoom but does not have the multiple focal lengths, including the 0.5x ultra-wide and longer telephoto zoom options found on the Pro models. It also does not support Macro photography or Macro video recording, which Pro models offer.
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air does not have ProRAW or ProRes video recording capabilities, including ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 support, limiting advanced photo and video editing flexibility. The cinematic mode, which allows for advanced video depth effects, is absent on the Air. The Air also misses out on the advanced studio-quality 4-microphone array that enhances audio capture quality present in the Pro lineup.
On the hardware side, the Air has one fewer GPU core (5-core GPU vs. 6-core GPU in Pro) and uses a single-lens rear camera system rather than the triple camera setup with LiDAR scanner on the Pro. The battery capacity is smaller (around 3,149 mAh for Air vs. 4,252 mAh in Pro), leading to comparatively shorter battery life under heavy use. The Air also lacks the vapor chamber cooling system found in Pro models, which supports better sustained performance under load.
