Apple’s obsession with thinness has been part of the iPhone story since day one. The image below captures that journey perfectly, showing just how much Apple pushed the limits of smartphone design over the years.
iPhone (2007) – 11.6 mm
The original iPhone wasn’t exactly slim by today’s standards, but back in 2007 it looked futuristic compared to chunky flip phones and BlackBerrys. Its rounded aluminum and plastic body set the stage for everything that followed.
iPhone 4 (2010) – 9.6 mm
Apple’s first big leap in thinness. The iPhone 4 introduced the iconic glass-and-steel design that many fans still consider a classic. Going under 10 mm felt like a milestone.
iPhone 5 (2012) – 7.6 mm
Sleek, light, and elongated with a taller 4-inch display, the iPhone 5 was Apple showing off its precision engineering. At under 8 mm, it felt razor-thin in the hand.
iPhone 6 (2014) – 6.9 mm
This was the big shift to larger displays. At just 6.9 mm, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus looked impossibly thin for their size — though some may remember the “bendgate” controversy that came with it.
iPhone Air (2025) – 5.64 mm
Unveiled on September 9, 2025, the iPhone Air is Apple’s boldest return to ultra-thin design. At just 5.64 mm, it’s the slimmest iPhone ever released, yet still packs modern Apple Silicon, a bright OLED display, and all-day battery life. Apple positioned it as the spiritual successor to the iPhone mini and Plus models, showing that thin and light can still feel premium without compromise.
Why Thinness Still Matters
While recent iPhones like the Pro Max models have bulked up for better batteries and cameras, thinness remains a key part of Apple’s design DNA. The upcoming iPhone 18 Air is rumored to bring back this philosophy, aiming to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, without the compromises of the past.
Final Thoughts
The history of the iPhone is as much about slimming down as it is about powering up. From 11.6 mm in 2007 to concepts under 6 mm, Apple’s relentless pursuit of thinness continues to shape what we expect from smartphones.
