Apple debuts the $999 ultra-thin iPhone Air
Move over, iPhone Plus—Apple just raised the bar. Apple debuts the $999 ultra-thin iPhone Air, a sleek, featherlight device that now takes the place of the Plus lineup in 2025.
Image Credits:Apple
At its September event, Apple unveiled the iPhone Air, calling it the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever. The move mirrors the MacBook Air strategy from 2008, when Apple introduced a new design philosophy around thinness and portability.
Why the iPhone Air Replaces the Plus Model
The iPhone Air isn’t just a design upgrade—it’s also a strategic shift. Last year’s iPhone 16 Plus underperformed, according to data from DSCC. Apple is betting on thinness and portability to spark fresh consumer demand, positioning the Air as the perfect middle ground between the standard iPhone 17 and the high-end Pro models.
Design: Titanium and Just 5.6mm Thin
The star feature is its ultra-thin 5.6mm titanium frame, making it even slimmer than Samsung’s 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge. For perspective, it’s about the thickness of four stacked dimes.
Despite its slim body, the iPhone Air houses a 6.6-inch display with Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion technology, offering fluid scrolling and sharp visuals. Apple is clearly aiming to prove that “thin” doesn’t mean compromise.
Power: A19 Pro Chip Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone Air runs on Apple’s new A19 Pro chip, the same powerhouse found in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. This means users get faster speeds, smoother multitasking, and better efficiency compared to the base iPhone 17.
eSIM Only: A Sleek, Secure Move
Apple is doubling down on its eSIM strategy. The iPhone Air ships exclusively as an eSIM-only device, eliminating the physical SIM card slot. This makes the design cleaner while adding a layer of security—lost or stolen phones can’t be compromised as easily.
With its blend of slim design, flagship-level performance, and secure eSIM integration, the iPhone Air is Apple’s boldest reimagining of the iPhone lineup in years. Apple debuts the $999 ultra-thin iPhone Air not just as a replacement for the Plus, but as a statement on where mobile design is heading.
