New details about the iPhone 17 Air have surfaced, hinting at a sleek offshoot of Apple's main lineup with an ultra-thin body. According to The Information, Apple engineers are testing several prototypes with thicknesses ranging from just 5 to 6 millimeters.
To achieve such slim dimensions, Apple reportedly had to make significant sacrifices. The SIM card tray has been removed entirely, as there's no room for it in the current design. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air prototypes lack a main speaker at the bottom.
Experts believe Apple will need to reconsider the absence of a SIM card slot. Chinese telecom operators don't support eSIM technology, and abandoning such a lucrative market would be a difficult decision.
Currently, the title of Apple's thinnest phone belongs to the iPhone 6, which is 6.9 mm thick. The company has previously achieved a super-slim design with the iPad Pro, measuring just 5.1 mm.