Apple's iPhone 17 Air: Thin, Sleek, and Protected with Bumper Cases?

Apple is rumored to be releasing the iPhone 17 Air, which will be exceptionally thin at 5.5mm. The thin frame may be prone to damage, leading to the return of bumper cases, similar to the iPhone 4 era. Bumper cases would protect the device without adding weight or changing its appearance. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have some trade-offs, such as no SIM card slot, one rear camera, and potentially shorter battery life. Bumper cases from other companies may also become popular to protect the device.

Apple is rumored to be releasing the iPhone 17 Air, which will be exceptionally thin at 5.5mm. The ultra-thin design may be prone to damage, leading to the return of bumper cases, similar to the iPhone 4 era. Bumper cases would provide protection without adding weight or changing the device's appearance [1].

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have some notable trade-offs. It is rumored to have no SIM card slot, one rear camera, and potentially shorter battery life. These trade-offs are part of Apple's strategy to focus on thinness and lightness [1].

Bumper cases from other companies may also become popular to protect the device. Apple has considered releasing a bumper case for the iPhone 17 Air, which would cover the edges of the device but not the back, similar to the bumper case that was offered for the iPhone 4 [1].

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series and any related accessories in September. The iPhone 17 Air is part of a bold three-year redesign plan that includes the first foldable iPhone in 2026 and an all-glass wraparound design for the 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027 [2, 3].

The company's plans are set to reshape Apple’s hardware narrative, but the $490M investor settlement tied to iPhone sales in China still overshadows the outlook [2].

References:

[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/24/iphone-17-air-bumper-case-rumor/
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/11thestate:90ea35aaf094b:0-aapl-iphone-17-air-and-foldable-roadmap-490m-settlement-still-overshadows-outlook/
[3] https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2025/08/24/apples-bold-3-year-iphone-redesign-plan-leaks-report/