Final up to date
More often than not, when there’s smoke, there’s finally hearth. In 2024, the rumor mill has been churning abut an iPhone Slim, slicing manner down on the thickness of Apple’s already skinny smartphone. Listed below are all the present rumors and a few unique renders based mostly on what’s being predicted.
Regardless of being over a 12 months away from launch, the rumor mill is already discussing the iPhone 17 system household. Nonetheless, a number of of the rumors appear to assert one thing new is on the best way.
There have been claims that the so-called “iPhone Slim” is a brand new variant that will probably be eponymously thinner than different fashions. This might even be the fabled Extremely mannequin that has cropped up a number of instances previously.
However a phrase of warning — it’s so extremely early within the rumor cycle, so there are comparatively few rumors at the moment. As time progresses and the supposed launch of the system nears, extra rumors ought to arrive and solidify the options for the fabled mannequin.
iPhone Slim will probably be skinny
Because the title strongly implies, the iPhone Slim must be the thinnest iPhone within the vary on launch. As to how skinny that will probably be, no-one’s fairly positive.
In Could, one report claimed {that a} skinny iPhone will probably be out in 2025 as an addition to the iPhone 17 vary. Apparently codenamed D23, the mannequin is supposedly to be an enormous redesign, as massive because the iPhone X’s introduction.
Even famed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo supplied a load of specs for the mannequin in July, however did not say something over
Nonetheless, the report did not say what the thickness can be. For reference, the iPhone SE is the present thinnest iPhone at 0.29 inches, whereas the iPhone 15 will get to 0.31 inches.
Apple does nonetheless have the potential to go thinner. The iPad Professional with M4 is the thinnest Apple cellular system at 0.20 inches.
With the iPad Professional being a big system but extraordinarily slimline, there must be no motive for a flagship iPhone to satisfy it. Or at the least get shut.
iPhone Slim might actually be Extremely costly
The iPhone Extremely has been proposed previously as a model new system that follows the identical conference because the Apple Watch. The Extremely theoretically being a model with far larger specs than the usual editions.
It might be argued that the Professional fashions already present this operate to customers, however the Extremely is insisted on being an entire separate tier.
Serial leaker “Ice Universe” mentioned in July that there will probably be an additional mannequin past Professional. That mannequin is predicted to begin from $1,299, at the least based on the leaker.
By comparability, the iPhone 17 is believed to value from $799, the Professional from $1,099, and the Professional Max from $1,199.
This may occasionally seem to be a giant soar in worth to customers. However, for one thing doubtlessly given the “Ultra” title and being a brand new version solely, this might be justifiable.
iPhone Slim might substitute iPhone 17 Plus
One thing that has been raised a number of instances within the rumors is the potential substitute of the Plus mannequin for the iPhone 17 technology.
Including the iPhone Slim to the vary would imply the flagship smartphone vary can have 5 fashions. This can be too many for Apple to significantly think about providing to customers, because of the breadth of alternative obtainable.
To repair that, Apple has the potential to drop the Plus mannequin solely for the iPhone 17 vary.
In July, Kuo mentioned that Apple would achieve this as a part of his specs launch. He mentioned it might be a choice that is purely based mostly on a scarcity of gross sales of the Plus fashions.
Plus-size iPhones are claimed to account for lower than 10% of any given 12 months’s gross sales, making it a substantial minority amongst others within the vary. Nonetheless, Kuo additionally insisted the choice wasn’t to particularly substitute the iPhone 17 Plus, however extra Apple responding to design and utilization developments.
Even with Kuo’s insistence, it does not fairly clarify Apple’s determination aside from it being probably the most opportune mannequin to cull based mostly on gross sales numbers.
iPhone Slim show smaller than Plus
The show itself will probably be a giant a part of the iPhone Slim, however whereas it’s more likely to substitute the Plus, it will not be larger.
Kuo’s spec checklist mentioned that the iPhone Slim can have a 6.6-inch show. This in principle places it between the usual iPhone dimension of 6.1 inches and the 6.7-inch Plus fashions.
That is echoed by an April report from DSCC’s Ross Younger, who mentioned the iPhone 17 Plus would have a show someplace between the usual iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
It is believable that Younger’s reporting on the iPhone 17 Plus is basically for the iPhone Slim, based mostly on the scale claims.
Different show rumors embody how the iPhone Slim might have a 120Hz ProMotion show. If it had been to be an Extremely-style launch, this could make sense, since it will have to at the least match the Professional fashions.
A 2,740 by 1,260 show might be utilized by it, which is barely smaller than the two,796 by 1,290 decision of the iPhone 15 Plus. This also needs to hold it near the 460 ppi pixel density of Apple’s smartphones.
As for the highest of the system, present rumors point out it would nonetheless have Dynamic Island. Even when Apple adjustments the aperture on the prime for the digital camera, resembling utilizing a smaller model, it appears doubtless that the UI system to cover the holes will nonetheless be employed.
iPhone Slim’s different options
For the remainder of the specs of the iPhone Slim, it is most likely protected to say that the majority will match the iPhone 17 technology usually. If it seems to be Extremely-like, you’ll be able to count on it to be nearer to the Professional line than the non-Professional for cameras and processor.
If that’s the case, assume A19 Professional somewhat than A19.
As a thinner system, it will have to have some additional energy to forestall it from simply bending and breaking. By the hands of keen YouTubers or in any other case.
There are claims of the usage of a “titanium-aluminum alloy frame,” which ought to assist hold the casing gentle however sturdy. Given the dearth of thickness, the strengthening most likely will hold the body’s energy near that of the thicker fashions.
The dimensions constraint might also impression the digital camera array. Based on Kuo’s spec checklist, it might simply use one single broad rear digital camera, somewhat than having two and even three.
One other issue that hasn’t been talked about in rumors thus far is battery life. It is a essential element, however a thinner system finally means there will probably be a a lot thinner battery, and so much less battery capability.
Until Apple can unencumber house with its different parts contained in the casing, going Slim might additionally eat into the day-long battery life.