The iPhone 17 Pro Max will probably be the thickest iPhone in years. According to current reports, Apple is planning to increase the thickness of the case to make room for a larger battery. This could affect battery life and general use. At the same time, the iPhone 17 Air is said to be a particularly slim alternative. You can find out here what exactly will change in the new iPhone generation, which technical details have already leaked out and what this means for users.
Apple seems to be relying on two extreme design approaches in 2025: While the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be thicker to accommodate more battery, the iPhone 17 Air will be the thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.5 mm. Apple apparently wants to appeal to two different types of users - those who value performance and battery life, and those who prefer a particularly slim device. The question is whether this strategy will prevail or whether users will be put off by the unusual concept.
iPhone 17 Pro Max will be thicker than its predecessor
According to leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a case thickness of 8.725 mm. For comparison: The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.25 mm thick. That sounds like a small change, but it is the biggest increase since the iPhone 4S. The decision to make the device thicker is said to be mainly related to the battery. Apple want apparently install a larger battery to either extend the battery life or to support new, energy-hungry functions. How large the battery capacity will actually be is not yet known.
Does a larger battery also mean longer running time?
A thicker case offers more space for a larger battery, but that doesn't necessarily mean a longer runtime. Apple could use the extra capacity to enable new features that consume more power. These could include an even brighter display, a more powerful GPU, or improved AI functions. If the battery does get bigger, that could still have advantages. In recent years, Apple has relied primarily on software optimization to improve battery life. A combination of more efficient hardware and larger battery capacity could ensure that the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts significantly longer than previous models.
Technical details: What is known so far
In addition to the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, other specifications have been leaked. The overall dimensions are said to be 163 mm high and 77.6 mm wide. The display remains at 6.9 inches and is said to have extremely narrow bezels of just 1.15 mm. An interesting point is that both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Air will have the same form factor. So the main difference is the thickness and the components used. This could mean that Apple is following a uniform design concept in which the devices are equipped with different functions depending on the model.
iPhone 17 Air: The thinnest iPhone ever
The iPhone 17 Air is set to be released alongside the thicker iPhone 17 Pro Max. At just 5.5 mm thick, it will be the slimmest iPhone to date. However, it will have to make some compromises. Apple is likely to go for a minimalist design with the iPhone 17 Air. It will probably only have one camera on the back, which is a clear difference to the Pro models with their powerful camera systems. The battery capacity is also likely to be severely limited by the thin design, so the runtime cannot compare to that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Air is therefore aimed more at users who prefer a particularly handy and lightweight device and can do without some functions.
New strategy: Apple relies on opposites
Apple is apparently pursuing a new strategy with the iPhone 17 series: Instead of relying on a uniform design, there are now two extreme variants. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is thicker to enable more performance and battery life, while the iPhone 17 Air relies on an ultra-thin design, but comes with some limitations. For users looking for maximum performance and battery life, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is likely to be the better choice. However, if you prefer a smartphone that is as thin as possible and can live with compromises, the iPhone 17 Air could be an interesting alternative. The official presentation is expected in the fall, until then it remains to be seen which of the leaks actually come true. But one thing is already clear: With the iPhone 17, Apple is making a design decision that will cause discussion. (Image: @SonnyDickson / X)
