iPhone 17 Lineup Dummy Models Reveal Design, Apple Reportedly Considered Removing the USB-C Port

Highlights

• The iPhone 17 lineup dummy model images reveal design details and key features.
• iPhone 17 Air will feature an ultra-thin 5.5mm design, MagSafe support, a tweaked Dynamic Island, and include ProMotion and Camera Control features.
• Apple reportedly considered making the iPhone 17 Air portless but retained the USB-C port.
• Apple’s in-house C1 5G modem will debut in the iPhone 17 Air, though it won’t support mmWave 5G.

With every passing day, we are getting more and more details about the next iPhone lineup. Recently, popular Apple leaker Sonny Dickson on X (formerly Twitter) gave their followers a sneak peek at dummy models of the iPhone 17 lineup. These models give us a good look at changes in camera designs, thickness variations and MagSafe support across all models.

Here’s what we know based on recent leaks.

MagSafe Stays On The Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air

Here’s your first look at the iPhone 17 dummies, Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/WnOjD71Iba

— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) March 16, 2025

The biggest takeaway from the leaded dummy model images is that all iPhone 17 models will support MagSafe. Some had speculated that the iPhone 17 Air might ditch MagSafe due to its ultra-thin design, especially after Apple removed it from the iPhone 16e. There were also rumours that MagSafe could interfere with the C1 chip.

However, these leaks confirm that iPhone 17 Air will keep MagSafe after all.

The iPhone 17 Air also features a slightly tweaked Dynamic Island with the front camera shifting to the left side of the pill-shaped cutout.

Since the iPhone 14 Pro, the front camera has been on the right, and that will remain the case for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, just not the Air model.

iPhone 17 Air – Thin and Feature-Packed

One of the standout features of the iPhone 17 Air is its incredibly slim profile. Reports suggest it will be around 5.5mm thick, making it one of Apple’s thinnest iPhones ever. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get noticeably thicker, while the standard iPhone 17 will remain similar in size.

9to5Mac in its report states, “Last but not least, we get a good look at the thickness. iPhone 17 Air is going to be quite thin, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro models will be getting a fair bit thicker. The standard iPhone 17 looks about the same.”

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Air will include some features from the iPhone 16 Pro, like Camera Control and ProMotion. While ProMotion was expected across the lineup, Camera Control was uncertain until now.

Apple Considered Removing the USB-C Port

At one point, Apple reportedly considered making the iPhone 17 Air its first portless iPhone, relying entirely on wireless charging. However, the company ultimately scrapped the idea. European regulations likely played a role in this decision.

The iPhone 17 Air will replace the iPhone 16 Plus and is expected to launch at around $900, featuring a 6.6-inch display. However, to achieve its ultra-thin design, Apple made some trade-offs including no second speaker and only a single rear camera (unlike the dual-camera setup on the iPhone 16 Plus).

Despite its thin build, Apple is ensuring battery life doesn’t suffer. According to Gurman, Apple redesigned the display, silicon components and software to maximise efficiency. Gurman writes, “Skinnier phones require thinner batteries, and that often means fewer hours of battery life. Apple didn’t want to compromise here, so it sent engineers back to the drawing board to redesign display and silicon components, as well as software, to make the device more efficient.”

Apple’s First 5G Modem Arrives in iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air will also introduce Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1 chip. This modem first appeared in the iPhone 16e and will now power the iPhone 17 Air as well. However, this means the device won’t support mmWave 5G, though Apple still markets the iPhone 16e as offering “Superfast 5G cellular.”

 FAQs

Q1. What is the standout feature of the iPhone 17 Air’s design?

Answer. The iPhone 17 Air has an ultra-thin design, measuring just 5.5mm, making it one of Apple’s slimmest iPhones ever. It also retains MagSafe support.

Q2. Will the iPhone 17 Air have a USB-C port?

Answer. Yes, despite considering a portless design, Apple decided to retain the USB-C port in the iPhone 17 Air, likely influenced by European regulations.

Q3. What is special about the iPhone 17 Air’s 5G modem?

Answer. The iPhone 17 Air will feature Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1 chip, although it won’t support mmWave 5G. Apple assures “Superfast 5G cellular” performance.

Also Read: Apple Might Replace iPhone 17 Pro Max with iPhone 17 Ultra – Report

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