Will Apple never learn? I'm convinced that the iPhone 17 Air will repeat the mistake of the iPhone mini series here's why

Date:
Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
Is Apple on to something with its new slimline phone? I don't think so.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Right now, Im grateful for anything that offers even a small reprieve from
the ever-dominant conversation about AI on smartphones, but I hate to burst Apple and Samsungs bubble: this slim phone fad will never take off.

Just in case youre wondering what the heck Im talking about, both Apple and Samsung are going big on new phone models this year that prioritize slimness above all else. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is no longer just a rumor, and while the iPhone 17 Air is still being kept behind closed doors, its announcement is a shoo-in for this year's iteration of Apples September product showcase.

It's noteworthy that two of the biggest smartphone manufacturers have decided to get in on this trend at almost exactly the same time, and this will no doubt lead to similar slimline handsets from smaller companies. But unlike
the best foldable phones, which arguably represent the last major innovation in this space, I simply dont see this form factor taking off and you only have to look at Apples recent history to understand why. Apples recent misses speak volumes The iPhone 13 mini (above) struggled to take off (Image credit: TechRadar)

As much as it pains me to say it, the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus series failed spectacularly, with both phones falling well behind their standard and Pro counterparts in terms of sales.

Its a shame, too, because I was absolutely obsessed with the value
proposition of the iPhone 13 mini . It offered the same standard chipset and cameras as the regular iPhone 13, but at a reduced price, all within a body that was easy to use one-handed, which cannot be said for the majority of the best phones nowadays.

More recently, Ive been using the iPhone 16 Plus , and again, unlike others,
I appreciate its positioning in the iPhone lineup. For those who want a
larger display for reading and watching content, not to mention extra
keyboard space for typing, I strongly believe that the iPhone 16 Plus is a better-value alternative to the expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max .

Evidently, though, the majority of iPhone buyers don't (or didn't) share my feelings towards the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus series and I think the same will be true of the iPhone 17 Air.

Even though they were cheaper, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini didnt appeal to a broad enough set of buyers their 5.4-inch displays were a niche preference. Similarly, the $100 / 100 / AU$200 premium demanded by Apple's Plus iPhones has so far proven too much for budget-conscious consumers, and
it looks like the iPhone 17 Air will replace the iPhone 17 Plus in this
year's lineup.

Theres a sweet spot to be struck between price and functionality, and unfortunately, the iPhone 17 Air doesn't seem like itll hit that sweet spot, either. Why the iPhone 17 Air is going to fail

While the finer details will no doubt change once we get an official announcement, the word on the street (thanks to many leaks) is that the
iPhone 17 Air, much like the cheaper iPhone 16e , will feature just one rear-facing camera.

One can assume that the lesser camera tech is all part of the plan to make
the Air as slim as possible, and from what we know so far, Apples definitely achieved greatness on that front. The latest rumors suggest the phone will be just 5.65mm thick and weigh only 145g in the hand. Thats quite impressive
from an engineering point of view, but it will likely come at the expense of another key feature: the battery life.

Apple needs to stop toying with size variations that dont quite land and instead drop its long-awaited foldable phone.

Theres a chance that the iPhone 17 Air might use a minuscule 2,800mAh cell, which is next to nothing on the modern market and could make it tricky to ensure that the phone reaches the end of the day on a single charge. If Apple decides to equip the iPhone 17 Air with a super-efficient silicon-carbon battery, then its battery life might not be something to worry about , but there will inevitably be some endurance compromises brought about by Apple's quest for ultimate thinness.

At this rate, you might be thinking that with fewer cameras and a smaller battery, there might be a redeeming quality in the iPhone 17 Air's price, but you'll likely be wrong on that front, too.

All signs point towards the iPhone 17 Air having a starting price of $899 / 899, which puts it back in the same predicament as the Plus range, except
this time, it'll be lacking a few notable features that you'll likely be able to get on the cheaper, standard iPhone 17 .

In my opinion, Apple needs to stop toying with size variations that dont
quite land and instead drop its long-awaited foldable phone, which, at the very least, will offer a different experience that you can't get on other iPhones. You might also like Foldable iPhone: latest rumors, news and everything we know so far Apple is rumored to be working on haptic buttons
for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch The best iPhone 2025: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/will-apple-never-learn-im-convinced-th at-the-iphone-17-air-will-repeat-the-mistake-of-the-iphone-mini-series-heres-w hy


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)