Apple’s iPhone Air Steals Spotlight at iPhone 17 Event

Apple has unveiled a bold new direction for the iPhone, announcing the iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, highlighted by the all-new iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever made.

Calling it the “biggest leap in iPhone history,” Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the sleek, ultra-thin iPhone Air during the company’s annual September keynote. The announcement marks Apple’s first major redesign of the iPhone in years.

A New Generation of iPhones

The iPhone 17 series includes four new models:

The iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 Pro

The iPhone 17 Pro Max with up to 2TB of storage

And the star of the show, the ultra-thin iPhone Air

Starting at $999 USD for the 256GB model, the iPhone Air is built from “aerospace-grade titanium” and features a stunningly slim 5.6mm profile. Despite its slim frame, Apple claims the Air still delivers all-day battery life, though specific usage hours were not disclosed.

The iPhone 17 Pro, priced from $1,099 USD for 256GB, has also undergone a complete redesign. It features a larger battery, increased RAM, and a new internal structure that improves heat dissipation and durability.

All new iPhone models now feature Ceramic Shield displays, replacing traditional glass for improved durability. The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a 6.9-inch screen, the largest ever on an iPhone, while the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro sport 6.3-inch displays. The iPhone Air sits in between, with a 6.5-inch display.

In line with its minimalist design, the iPhone Air includes one rear and one front camera, but Apple insists that the phone delivers a flagship photography experience. According to John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering, the device is “so thin and lightweight, it feels like it disappears in your hand.”

The iPhone 17 lineup introduces new colors aimed at freshening up the brand’s aesthetic appeal: Lavender for the iPhone 17, Sky Blue for the iPhone Air, and Bold Orange for the iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple even shot its entire launch event video using the iPhone 17 Pro, showcasing its professional-grade camera capabilities. Greg Joswiak, SVP of Worldwide Marketing, emphasized this as a testament to the device’s imaging power.

Industry experts are already calling the redesign a strategic win. Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, remarked: “It’s been years since people noticed someone’s iPhone across the table and asked, ‘Is that the new one?’ With the redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and ultra-thin iPhone Air, especially in that vivid orange, Apple is bringing back that buzz.”