Apple Scrapped Plans for 6.9-Inch Ultra-Slim iPhone 17 Air Due to Bend Concerns
Why Apple Shelved the 6.9-Inch Prototype
In Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, he revealed that Apple initially worked on a 6.9-inch ultra-thin device, matching the size of the Pro Max model. However, fears about the structural integrity of the phone led the company to abandon the idea.
Gurman shared:
“Apple pulled the plug on that over fears that a thin device with a giant screen would be susceptible to bending. The company suffered such a controversy in 2014 — ‘Bendgate’ — when the iPhone 6 Plus would sometimes warp when in a tight pocket.”
What to Expect From the iPhone 17 Air
Despite scrapping the larger prototype, Apple is moving ahead with a slightly smaller iPhone 17 Air. Earlier rumors from China suggested that the device might share the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but with a thinner design.
The latest corroborating reports indicate the iPhone 17 Air will feature:
- A 6.6-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion support
- Dynamic Island functionality
- A19 chip performance
- A single 48-megapixel rear camera
- Apple’s new custom-made C1 modem
How Much Will It Cost?
Gurman suggests that the iPhone 17 Air could startAn error occurred during generation. Please try again or contact support if it continues.
Priti Rajpoot is a technology journalist and contributor at ResearchSnipers, covering the latest in tech news, innovation, and digital trends across the world. From startups and AI to cybersecurity and consumer gadgets. She can be reached here: priti.r@researchsnipers.com
