There are few things more exciting than buying a brand-new product on launch day, but if you’re set on the iPhone 17 Air, feel free to let people cut you in line. From past production troubles to a device that’s possibly just a novelty, it may be a good idea to see what others say first before forking over your money.
Why I Won’t Be First in Line
On paper, the new slim iPhone sounds rather promising. Current rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air will have decent stats: either the A19 or a GPU-nerfed A19 Pro chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 6.6-inch OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion support, and a 48MP single-lens camera.
It’s all speculation before Apple’s big reveal, but it’s the camera that can potentially disappoint me the most, as ultrawide and telephoto lenses are pretty handy. I also worry that the slim design may have a big impact on battery performance, and I’m not alone in worrying about these things.
A big thing folks also have to worry about this year is that the iPhone 17 lineup may be more expensive than years prior due to the rising cost of components. We’ll have to wait for Apple’s official announcement before we get a look at any price tags, but some reports remain optimistic that the iPhone 17 Air will be priced at $899. Should this rumor hold true, it’s a good selling point for the device, but it’s hard not to wonder in this current climate if maintaining the same price as similarly-specced models of yesteryear doesn’t come without sacrifice.
Of course, there’s also the issue that it can be hard to trust first-run production models for brand new product lines. It can feel like you’re a beta tester, simply hoping that the device you just paid for has gone through rigorous testing and will stand up to the everyday tests of the real world. You certainly want that to be the case, but remember the R1 Rabbit? Big on promises with little delivery.
Obviously, Apple isn’t even in the same league, but that doesn’t mean the company hasn’t bungled a release.
It Wouldn’t Be the First Time
Not every iPhone has had a disastrous first day–far from it. However, there have been plenty of instances where going all-in on a first-run production hasn’t worked out. In recent times, it was the iPhone 15 Pro series that experienced severe heating issues just days after release, which was patched with a software update. There were also obvious production and supply issues during the COVID-19 pandemic–with the iPhone 13 series being a good example–but obviously faulting Apple for this would be bullheaded.
Looking further into the past, the iPhone 5 had issues after manufacturer Foxconn returned millions of assembled devices to Apple for failing standards, and let’s not forget “Antennagate” and the iPhone 4. Between the company going with a stainless steel band doubling as an antenna and Steve Jobs insisting users were holding their devices incorrectly, it really wasn’t a good look for anyone–especially people who thought they needed to find a new way to hold their iPhone.
But perhaps my fears are most justified by the fact that Apple has literally had problems with slim iPhones in the past. In 2014, the iPhone 6 Plus underwent its infamous “Bendgate” controversy after some unfortunate consumers discovered that even putting the device in their pocket could bend it. Critics note that the aluminum unibody design and lack of proper reinforcement caused far more bending in devices than Apple was initially willing to admit, with the company stating it planned to address the issue in future production runs.
I’m Going to Wait and See
Despite problems in the past, it’s still rather likely that the iPhone 17 Air launch will go well for millions of people. Though there is the potential for issues, it’s a bit like being afraid to go in the ocean because you’ll get bitten by a shark. Sure, there’s a small chance it may happen, but it’s more likely that it won’t (unless you live somewhere where shark attacks are common, in which case I’d urge you to think twice before rolling that dice).
I’m willing to admit some of my skepticism arises from being victim to the overheating iPhone 15 Pro. Slight bias aside, the idea that the iPhone 17 Air may experience bending issues in its first production run isn’t unfounded, though Apple is pretty good at learning from its mistakes. Rumors suggest that the new device will be made of titanium, which tracks rather well, likely giving it a far better chance of standing up to the forces of nature compared with the iPhone 6 series. However, how much reinforcement is inside the iPhone remains to be seen.
Clearing the Air
This then begs the question: how long should you wait before you put your money where your mouth is? Given this release, my honest answer would depend greatly on when you last updated your iPhone and when the first sale of the iPhone 17 Air begins.
Getting any day-one device is always something of a gamble. The vast majority of the time, you get the pleasure of getting access to advanced tech the moment it comes out. However, when it doesn’t work out, it can blossom into a total nightmare. If you want to get the iPhone 17 Air the moment it releases, there’s probably not a lot I can say to deter you. More than likely, you’re going to have a great time, and using iOS 26 on that beautiful new screen is going to be a real treat. But don’t think it’s going to come without some risks.
If you’re the cautious type, I think it would be in your best interest to wait for a product teardown of the iPhone 17 Air or at least a fully comprehensive review–which we’ll naturally oblige, of course. Most issues start to rear their head within the first few weeks of a device being put through its paces, while other more obvious shortcomings (like a disappointing battery life) are immediately apparent.
If you really want to be frugal, waiting to upgrade isn’t always a bad thing, and the iPhone 16 series can also treat you right.
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- SoC
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A18 Pro
- Display
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2,622 x 1,206 resolution (460 ppi)
A version of Apple’s newest iPhone with a larger screen featuring a camera button, a programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features.
If you’re the type that blows caution to the wind or doesn’t particularly worry about funds, I’d consider the iPhone 17 Pro if you’re looking to go big. Read more about the rumored changes to Apple’s upcoming iPhone refresh.