iPhone Air: Apple launches thinnest phone ever alongside new iPhone 17 models

Apple has released a host of new phones, including the thinnest iPhone it has ever made.

The new device – known only as iPhone Air (early hands-on review here) – is not only Apple’s thinnest model but also includes a range of new improvements, such as a better display and stronger design.

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The device is only 5.6mm thick, and the new thinness stretches right across the device: unlike other recent iPhone devices, it does not have a large “plateau” for the camera.

Read more: Where to pre-order iPhone 17

Even with that small design, the new device is four times more resistant to cracks because of its new materials.

And it has a 6.5-inch display – slightly smaller than the iPhone Pro Max – with a 120Hz refresh rate and has 3,000 nits of peak brightness.

The new iPhone Air comes alongside the more traditional iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Pro Max. Reports have suggested that the launch of the Air marks the beginning of a three-year plan to revitalise the iPhone lineup, which next year is rumoured to include the first-ever foldable model.

The iPhone 17 Pro brings a host of changes of its own. That includes a redesigned camera plateau on the back – which now covers the whole back of the phone, but sits more flush – as well as a bigger battery and a more resilient design.

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Apple said the new iPhone Pro is the “most powerful iPhone ever, by far”, which is made possible in part because of a new thermal regulation feature that will allow it to stay cool while working hard, as well as the biggest battery of any iPhone to allow it to last for longer. It can deliver 40 per cent better sustained performance as a result, Apple said.

It also comes in colours for the first time, with a new orange hue as well as silver and blue.

Read our full coverage of the iPhone 17 and other devices here

The iPhone 17 also gets its own more modest upgrades. It remains largely unchanged in design, but brings a new, smoother display, an action button, more damage resistance and better battery.

All of the iPhones were released alongside the new AirPods Pro 3 and a range of Apple Watches.

Pre-orders for all the new iPhones start on Friday, and they will go on sale on 19 September.

Apple said that the iPhone Air brings many of the features from recent Pro devices. It has a new A19 Pro chip, for instance, which is the fastest CPU in any smartphone but includes better efficiency to ensure that the phone can be particularly thin and not run out of battery.

But it does include some drawbacks, such as the inclusion of only one camera. Apple said that it is actually a camera “system”, which allows for two levels of zoom despite using only one lens.

The iPhone Air also serves as the debut of Apple’s N1 wireless chip, which will power wifi, Bluetooth and other wireless features such as AirDrop.

The launch of the new iPhones comes ahead of the release of iOS 26. That includes a range of changes, but the most significant is “Liquid Glass”, a new design language that adds a shiny look across the system.

And they come with a range of new accessories, including new cases. The most notable is Apple’s first-ever cross-body strap, which hooks onto the iPhone and allows it to be worn like a bag.

Apple also launched the “TechWoven” material for its case. In 2023, when Apple launched the iPhone 15, it said that it would no longer offer leather cases and would use a “FineWoven” material – but those proved to be easy to damage, and were quickly discontinued.