Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 17 lineup at its event on Tuesday, and that includes a new ultra-thin model, nicknamed by tech analysts as the iPhone 17 Air. But skinny phones face new challenges to woo consumers: a lighter design might feel nicer, but it could make compromises on camera quality or battery life. And a slimmed-down frame doesn’t mean a slimmed-down price tag.

The so-called iPhone Air is certainly a wild card for Apple to play. A different form factor could steal the spotlight at the launch event, with leaks and reports indicating it will be the thinnest iPhone ever. But there’s no telling how consumers will desire a slim iPhone compared with the other models. Will folks dive into a refreshing new design, even if it’s not stuffed with top-of-the-line features, like an iPhone 17 Pro? 

Regardless of what lures customers this year, perhaps a slim phone is a natural next step in Apple’s long-term plan. In this week’s episode of One More Thing, embedded above, I go over the latest rumors on the iPhone 17 Air, and how Apple’s work in building a thinner iPhone could lead the way to perfecting a future folding iPhone. (Just look at the Galaxy S25 Edge as an example.)

A recent Bloomberg report says this year’s slim iPhone will set the stage for a folding iPhone in 2026 — followed by a new curved glass design in the 20th anniversary iPhone for 2027. More talk of folding iPhones landed in a report this week from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, saying Apple is preparing for a big launch next year. 

If you always think iPhones look the same, perhaps the Air marks the start of a series of iPhone redesigns. (And it might get you more excited about upgrading than AI.)

If you’re looking for more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.