Apple’s ambitious plans for its thinnest iPhone ever are running into significant engineering challenges, according to multiple sources familiar with the project. The upcoming iPhone 17 Air, slated for release next year, aims to achieve a remarkably slim profile between 5 and 6 millimeters – potentially making it even thinner than the company’s iPad Pro lineup.
Breaking Engineering Boundaries
The dramatic reduction in thickness compared to the iPhone 16’s 7.8mm frame has forced Apple’s engineering team to make several crucial compromises. According to The Information, engineers are “finding it hard to fit the battery and thermal materials into the device,” suggesting potential concerns about battery life and heat management.
Design Compromises for Ultimate Slimness
In pursuit of this ultra-thin design, Apple has made several notable sacrifices. One of the most significant changes is the audio system. “The thin iPhone will only have a single speaker in its earpiece because there is no room for a second speaker at the bottom, which is standard in other models,” one person familiar with the project revealed.
Camera and Connectivity Challenges
The device will feature a distinctive single camera housed in a “large, centered camera bump.” Furthermore, the iPhone 17 Air will be among the first to utilize Apple’s in-house 5G modem. However, this transition comes with its own set of challenges. The company’s modem currently lags behind Qualcomm’s solutions, with sources indicating lower peak speeds and slightly less reliable network connectivity. Notably, Apple’s modem lacks support for millimeter wave technology, a feature introduced in the iPhone 12.
The China Conundrum
Perhaps one of the most pressing challenges facing the iPhone 17 Air is the physical SIM card requirement for the Chinese market. Edison Lee, head of Chinese technology at Jefferies, explains:
“The Chinese telcos don’t support eSIM for mobile phones owing to the risk that this system would not allow the telcos to be able to verify the personal identity of each user. China is enforcing a real-name registration system for all mobile users, and thus the telcos don’t generally support eSIM except for Apple Watch and iPad.”
Development Status
The device has recently progressed from proto-1 to proto-2 status at Foxconn, indicating steady development despite these challenges. For comparison, current iPhone 16 models measure:
- iPhone 16: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Plus: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Pro: 8.25mm
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.25mm
As Apple pushes the boundaries of smartphone design, the iPhone 17 Air represents both the company’s ambitious vision for ultra-thin devices and the significant engineering challenges that come with such innovation.
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