According to a new report, Apple had designed a larger, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air prototype with a 6.9-inch display, but ultimately decided not to continue production due to concerns that the device would be prone to bending. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman wrote in his latest PowerOn newsletter:
When Apple first started developing the phone, it prototyped a device with a 6.9-inch screen to match the Pro Max. But Apple ultimately abandoned the plan due to concerns that a slim device with a giant screen would be prone to bending. The company faced such a controversy in 2014 with "bendgate," when the iPhone 6 Plus sometimes buckled up in pockets.
Earlier this month, a rumor from China claimed that the iPhone 17 Air is the same size as the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The only difference is the thickness of the device. The rumor is likely to originate from Apple's prototype.
Rumors that are generally considered possible are that the iPhone 17 Air, which Apple will launch in September, will be equipped with a 6.6-inch display that supports 120Hz ProMotion, a smart island, an A19 chip, a 48-megapixel rear single camera, and Apple’s customized C1 modem. The device may start at $899 in the United States, the same price as the iPhone 16 Plus. It is believed that this ultra-thin device will replace the iPhone 16 Plus and become a member of the Apple Intelligence mobile phone camp.