iPhone 17 Air leaks: 5 things you must know about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge rival

India Today

15 hours ago

Apple has just concluded its annual developer's conference — the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025. Now, the Cupertino tech giant is gearing up for its next big event, where it will refresh its iPhone lineup later this year. While there are still months to go, rumours are already buzzing, hinting at what could be on the way — a new design, powerful silicon, iOS 26, and a new model: the iPhone 17 Air.advertisementThis year, all eyes are on the anticipated iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to replace the Plus model. Apple is said to be making this change given the underwhelming sales performance of the Plus variants. According to reports and early predictions, the iPhone 17 Air could be Apple's slimmest and most refined iPhone to date. And with its ultra-thin body, it will definitely go head-to-head with Samsung's recently launched Galaxy S25 Edge.While Apple has kept everything under the wraps, based on speculation and leaks, here are five big things you must know about the iPhone 17 Air.1. Thinner, sleeker design
Apple is expected to unveil four models under the iPhone 17 lineup — the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a brand-new Air model. The Air variant is tipped to replace the Plus model, which is likely to be discontinued due to low demand. Leaks suggest the iPhone 17 Air will feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.advertisementThe iPhone 17 Air could be the highlight with its slim and premium form factor — likely around 5.5mm in thickness. This would put it in direct competition with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which boasts a 5.8mm thin body and titanium frame.2. Single rear cameraThe slim design will definitely come with trade-offs. The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to pack a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera. While this may seem like a limitation, Apple could make up for it through advanced computational photography. The front camera on the standard iPhone 17 is expected to be upgraded to a 24-megapixel sensor, though it's still unclear whether the Air will share the same spec.These camera rumours contrast sharply with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which features a 200-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide shooter.3. iPhone 17 Air hardwareThe iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch with a 6.6-inch 120Hz display, a 2,800mAh battery, Apple's new A19 chip, and iOS 26. The OS is set to give the Liquid Glass UI with new AI-driven features while maintaining Apple's long-term support. The Air model is likely to appeal to users who prefer minimalist designs without compromising on performance.In comparison, the Galaxy S25 Edge has already launched with a 6.7-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 3,900mAh battery supporting wireless and reverse charging. It runs Android 15 with One UI 7 and boasts seven years of software updates — an area where Apple has traditionally excelled as well.4. iPhone 17 Air India pricingadvertisementPricing is always a key topic when it comes to iPhones, and 2025 may bring some changes. With ongoing price hike this year the iPhone prices could go up with leaks suggesting the iPhone 17 Air may debut in India at Rs 99,900. This price could keep the iPhone 17 AIr just under the six-figure mark and slightly above the base iPhone 17, which could launch at Rs 89,900. For comparison, the Galaxy S25 Edge starts at Rs 1,09,999 for its 12GB + 256GB configuration.5. iPhone 17 series launch dateApple typically unveils new iPhones in early September, usually in the second week. This year, the event is expected to take place on September 10 or 11, with pre-orders opening shortly after and shipping beginning the following week. While the date hasn't been officially confirmed, Apple's history with launch timelines suggests a similar schedule is likely.