Rumor has it that Apple could unveil its thinnest phone ever next year. according to a new report published this week by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim) will be 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro.

Since the iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25 mm (0.32 inches) thick, this means that the iPhone 17 Air is about 6.25 mm (0.24 inches) thicker. This is slightly thicker than some rumors that put the iPhone 17 Air's thickness at 6 mm (0.23 inches), but still thinner than the 6.9 mm (0.27 inches) thickness of the 2014 iPhone 6.

Apple's success in shaving 24% off the width of the iPhone 16 Pro is no mean feat. In order to slim down the device without sacrificing battery life, camera array, or display size, Apple plans to drop the Qualcomm modem previously used in the iPhone in favor of a thinner, in-house 5G modem.

“By using its own modem, Apple can make a smartphone about 2 mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro while still having room for the battery, display, and camera system,” he added.

In lab tests, sources reported to Bloomberg that Apple's first modem “has a download speed ceiling of about 4 gigabits per second, lower than the top speed offered by nonmmWave Qualcomm modems.” However, as he goes on to say, “the real-world speeds of both types of modems are generally much smaller, meaning that customers may not notice a difference in everyday use.”

The report also states that Apple's own modems could be included in Apple's series of low-priced iPads in 2025 and the upcoming iPhone SE 4. But don't expect to see it in Apple's high-end products anytime soon, Garman warns.

In terms of specs, the iPhone 17 Air is said to have a simplified camera array consisting of only a single-lens rear camera and a 6.6-inch display that falls somewhere between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. iPhone 17 Air is said to be Apple's most expensive device ever, even more expensive than the $1,199 iPhone 15 Pro Max. We can only hope that this rumor does not turn out to be true. For the latest leaks, see our iPhone 17 Air hub.