Thinest iPhone ever – Apple announces new iPhone 17 range and the iPhone Air is official

The rumours were true, Apple has announced their iPhone 17 range and the thinnest iPhone we’ve ever seen is part of the lineup with the iPhone 17 Air replacing a “Plus” model in the lineup.

Inside the Steve Jobs Theatre, the home for all the iPhone announcements since 2017 built under a hill inside Apple’s mega Apple Park headquarters, Apple CEO Tim Cook led the event which sets the company up for the year ahead in the smartphone battle against Samsung and others, but still, no folding phone from Apple.

Thinnest iPhone Ever – iPhone Air

Measuring in at just 5.6mm thick, the iPhone 17 Air is by far the thinnest iPhone ever, a full mm thinner than the iPhone 6.  Those keen-eyed Apple observers will remember the iPhone 6 year as the year of Bend-Gate, with iPhone 6 Plus bending with extreme force, causing quite the stir online.

Fear not though, Apple claims this to be the most durable iPhone ever, made from Titanium and over-engineered to counter these concerns, including the front and back glass covers which are also more durable.

Rumours were true, and the iPhone 17 Air has just a single camera on the back.  Following what Apple did with their entry-level iPhone 16e device, this single camera has the top-level capabilities for its wide lens, but does not offer an Ultra Wide or Telephoto Option.  Using Pixel-based Zoom a 2x is possible, but the lack of an 0.5 ultra-wide could hold the phone back.  We will have to wait and see.

Apple’s 48Megapixel “Fusion” camera system is what makes a single lens work, offering a 2x zoom, as well as multiple focal lengths for shooting.

The front camera also gets a boost, with a new square sensor allowing for a wider range of framing options.

Additionally, in video mode, a new Dual Camera recording option means you can record both front and back cameras at the same time!

Critically, to make this thing so thin – the iPhone Air is eSIM only – worldwide. Something Apple did with iPhones in the US in recent years, but now Australians’ too – on the Air will need to convert to eSIM.

There was a solid lack of specifics, but Apple says the iPhone Air features an all-day battery life.

iPhone Air still has “all-day battery life “

iPhone 17 Pro

The source of much conjecture and, frankly, online criticism since the leaked dummy models were released throughout 2025, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a much larger camera island which stretches across the width of the device.

While the camera lens layout remains the same, the sensor and flash move across to the other side. This larger “Plateau” as Apple calls it is now packed with tech, allowing for more space for battery!

Performance is always key with the Pro range, and they are now powered by the new A19 Pro Apple Silicon which Apple says is the fastest CPU in any smartphone.

In a break from tradition, the Pro models of the iPhone 17 also feature more vibrant colours for the first time.  While a metal look is the more traditional standard colour, a dark Navy Blue and a rather vibrant Orange will be the highlight colours of the range, no doubt.

We’ll have more details of the Pro capabilities as the day progresses.

iPhone 17

Apple’s base model iPhone will come in five colours: Black, White, Light Blue, Light Green (Sage), and Lavender.

It’s the entry level to the range and now features the A19 processor

Cameras on the iPhone 17 are improved to feature a 48 MP Fusion camera on the back and now both cameras including the ultra-wide are 48MP

On the front camera, a new Square sensor means more options for composing that selfie.

Australian Price and Availability for the iPhone 17 range

All iPhone 17 models are available to pre-order from this Friday and will go on sale the following week, September 19.

Prices are on par with 2024, iPhone 17 starts at $1,399, iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,999 (no more 128GB model), and iPhone Air will set you back $1,799.

Trevor Long travelled to Cupertino as a guest of Apple.