The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the current Plus model in Apple’s iPhone lineup. DigiTimes reports that Foxconn has entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase for the iPhone 17 Air. As the iPhone 17 Air enters the NPI phase, its production journey begins. Apple and its suppliers collaborate closely during this phase to assess the feasibility of the design and manufacturing processes.
From concept to mass production, the NPI involves design validation, prototype testing, and supplier qualification. Developing manufacturing methods, testing assembly and quality control, and aligning logistics with the supply chain are all part of the process. It may still be necessary to make small adjustments to the design to align with manufacturing capabilities and cost considerations.
According to reports, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a significantly slimmer design than its predecessors. It is expected to be two millimetres thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro. The display size is rumoured to range from 6.55 inches to 6.65 inches, which is in between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.
Apple’s custom-designed 5G modem chip is expected to be incorporated into the device, offering space savings without compromising battery life or display quality due to its smaller size and greater integration with other Apple components. A large, centred camera bump is expected to house a single 48-megapixel lens on the back of the device.
