A new report claims that Apple considered making one of its future iPhones completely portless. The thinner model, currently called the iPhone 17 Air, may not have a USB-C port, but Apple has since abandoned that idea. Apple finally decided to include a USB-C port for charging. This is said to be done to calm potential concerns from EU regulators.
But the plan was withdrawn due to concerns that the product would bend too easily.
Apple has long been trying to find a balance between making iPhones thinner and lighter without making the devices too susceptible to damage. In 2014, Apple was criticized after receiving reports that the iPhone 6 Plus could bend when placed in small pockets.
It is said that Apple has finalized the design of the iPhone Air, which will use a 6.6-inch screen. That would be about two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone, about a fifth less thick.
Despite the weight loss and design compromises, the iPhone Air probably doesn't sacrifice much. Thanks to the new battery design, its battery life should be similar to similar iPhone models.
The thinner and lighter iPhone Air is expected to debut in fall 2025 as part of the iPhone 17 series.