Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce the iPhone 17 Air, a new model in the iPhone series that is expected to replace the current Plus model. By sources in the supply chain DigiTimesiPhone 17 Air has entered the new product introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn. The entry of the iPhone 17 Air into the NPI phase marks the beginning of the road to production. This phase involves close collaboration between Apple and its suppliers to evaluate the feasibility of design and manufacturing methods.

iPhone 17 Air has a super thin design

NPI is the critical stage when a product moves from concept to mass production, starting with design validation, prototype testing and supplier qualification. The process also includes development of production methods, pilot production to verify assembly and quality control, and coordination of logistics with the supply chain to scale up to full-scale production. Minor design adjustments can still be made to accommodate manufacturing capabilities and cost considerations.

The iPhone 17 Air is said to have a significantly thinner design than its predecessors. According to reports, it will be around two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro. In terms of size, it is expected to be between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max and rumor has it that it will have a screen size between 6.55 inches and 6.65 inches.

One of the most notable changes is the expected inclusion of Apple’s custom-designed 5G modem chip, which is smaller and more integrated with other Apple components to save space without sacrificing battery life or display quality. It is also expected that the rear camera will be moved to the center of the device with a 48-megapixel single lens in the large central camera section.

The launch of the iPhone 17 Air next year alongside the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max represents a significant change in Apple’s smartphone lineup. The potential to replace the Plus model as NPI progresses reflects Apple’s continued efforts to innovate and optimize its product offerings.