Apple may release iPhone 17 Air with a 6.6-inch screen, not 6.9

Apple has abandoned the prototype of the large ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inch screen due to concerns that it may be prone to bending.

Here's What We Know

According to a new report, the company decided not to release this device because of the possibility of a repeat of the "Bendgate" scandal that arose in 2014, when the iPhone 6 Plus sometimes bent in tight pockets.

In his latest issue of Power On, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reported that Apple was initially working on a 6.9-inch screen prototype similar to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, the company cancelled this project, fearing that a thin body with a large screen could lead to deformation during normal use.

According to other rumours, Apple is planning to release the iPhone 17 Air with a 6.6-inch screen, 120Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island, A19 chip, a single 48-megapixel camera, and a C1 modem. The new iPhone 17 Air is likely to cost from $899 in the US. This price is in line with the price of the iPhone 16 Plus model, which it may replace.

This smartphone is likely to become available in September 2025.

Recently, it became known from a study by Barclays analyst Tim Long that Apple's first foldable iPhone could cost around $2,300. The smartphone could become the most expensive iPhone in the company's history. Long shared this estimate after a recent trip to Asia, where his team met with component manufacturers. He noted that suppliers are actively discussing the launch of a foldable iPhone between late 2026 and early 2027.

Source: Bloomberg