iPhone 17 Air compared to 16 Plus in new hands-on leak

If Apple had any hopes of an audience astounded by the launch of its Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge rival left, they might be roundly dashed by just how many people online apparently have the "iPhone 17 Air" or its dummies on hand to assess its new selling point in advance.

The latest such post purports to compare the 17 Air's main defining aspect - its allegedly ultra-slim frame - against a second iPhone that, given its dual rear camera design, apparent similarity in length and Ultramarine color (just like this unit in Renewed condition on Amazon), is thought to be the 16 Plus.

The 2024 device does indeed seem to be significantly thicker than the "17 Air" (appearing here in black), although the 2 iPhones seem to have their volume controls, power button, Action Button and Camera Control in virtually identical locations.

Should it prove genuine, the new leak makes claims that the "17 Air" will have an even smaller battery than the S25 Edge all the more plausible.

In addition, it might also lend more weight to the idea that Apple had an even harder time managing the camera hump in this new model than in the average iPhone: its single lens ring appears much more protuberant than either of those of the 16 Plus in 1 of the new images. 

Apple might try to balance these problems out with the release of the custom-built iPhone 17 Air Battery Case...although such an accessory could negate the whole point of the allegedly upcoming device.