Why you might not want to spend money on the upcoming iPhone 17 Air

We’re just a couple of days away from Apple’s September 9 event, where the Cupertino giant is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series. Among the lineup, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to steal the spotlight and mark a new chapter in iPhone design. Yet, despite all the hype, Apple’s thinnest iPhone may not be worth the splurge.

As Mark Gurman noted in this week’s Power On newsletter, the announcement of the iPhone 17 Air recalls the debut of the MacBook Air in 2008, when Apple introduced a new MacBook lineup emphasizing thinness and portability.

While the first-generation MacBook Air offered perks such as a multitouch trackpad and a slimmer design, it also had notable drawbacks, including mediocre battery life and compromised hardware. On top of that, it was $700 more expensive than a high-end regular MacBook.

Yet, history has a way of repeating itself, and the first-generation MacBook Air story could very well repeat itself with the iPhone 17 Air. Apple is going to launch an iPhone model that is focused on thinness and portability, but it comes with drawbacks like a smaller battery and a single rear camera.

As for the price, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to sit between the standard and Pro iPhone 17 models. It might be more expensive than a standard iPhone 17, yet still a few hundred dollars cheaper than the iPhone 17 Pro. A standard iPhone 17 offers a better battery and camera setup than the Air model, while remaining more affordable.

Apple’s main challenge in marketing the iPhone 17 Air will be convincing customers to pay a few hundred dollars more for a device that, in many ways, is a downgrade compared to the standard iPhone 17, but it just offers improved portability.

Looking ahead, the iPhone 17 Air could establish a thin design as the standard for future iPhone generations. Future iterations may also address current shortcomings. Apple may be aiming to offer us a glimpse of what’s to come in the coming years with the iPhone 17 Air.

What do you think about the iPhone 17 Air? Do you think it’s worth spending money on? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Posted Monday 8 September 2025 at 3:44 am AEST (my time).

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