Apple just announced the brand new iPhone 16 and 16 Pro lineup. Pre-orders are almost open, which means now is the time to make a buying decision. Should you upgrade, or wait another year? Let me provide three reasons for waiting until next year’s iPhone 17 Air arrives.
Brand new, ultra-thin design
The iPhone 17 Air first came on to the rumor scene with the name ‘iPhone 17 Slim.’ That’s because one of its defining features will be a radically thin new design.
We don’t know exactly how thin it will be, but the change is expected to be significant. It could potentially bring about a huge reduction in thickness compared to previous models. This year’s M4 iPad Pro set a new benchmark for thinness in Apple devices, and considering what Apple achieved with the iPad and the physical requirements of the USB-C port, we have a good idea of what the 17 Air might bring. The brand new iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are each 8.25 mm thick. Expect to see the 17 Air get significantly closer to the iPad Pro’s 5.1 mm size, marking a substantial slimming down.
Camera upgrades on all sides
Apple didn’t make any significant changes to the front-facing camera on the iPhone 16. The enhancements were all focused on the back of the device. But with the iPhone 17 line, a major upgrade is coming to the selfie camera. It will be upgraded from 12 MP to 24 MP, and surely there will be new software features to take advantage of this boost. When it comes to the rear camera design of the iPhone 17 Air, it will be a whole new setup. Instead of the multi-camera system in the top-left corner, Apple will debut a top-center placement for a single powerful camera. There isn’t a lot of information about this new system at the moment, but it’s fascinating to see what this major design change could mean for the rear camera. It could potentially lead to enhanced imaging capabilities and a more streamlined look.
It’s a glimpse at the future, today
Just like the original MacBook Air did for laptops, the iPhone 17 Air is set to revolutionize smartphone design. It may not be as powerful as the 17 Pro models, but it will undoubtedly represent the future of smartphones. If the iPhone 16 doesn’t excite you, the next year’s model is likely to. Most iPhone models offer iterative improvements, but every once in a while there comes an iPhone X moment. The iPhone 17 Air is poised to bring that new phone excitement back and might make all other iPhones feel a bit outdated. It could set a new standard for design and functionality in the smartphone world.
Bonus: Apple Intelligence rollout will take a while
For a lot of users, the iPhone 16 line provides their only opportunity to experience Apple Intelligence. The only older iPhone models that support the new AI features are last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. However, Apple’s staggered rollout of AI features might make it easier for people to hold off on upgrading to the iPhone 17 Air. The full suite of features announced for Apple Intelligence will be released gradually over the course of the next year, in a slow drip. So waiting until 2025 for an AI-enabled iPhone might not be too painful. It gives users time to assess the value and impact of Apple Intelligence and make a more informed decision.
Wrap-up
If you need an iPhone right now, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are very compelling options. But if you’re on the fence or the new models don’t excite you that much, perhaps it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 17 Air. It is likely to offer the radical change you’ve been looking for in a new phone. Are you waiting for the iPhone 17 Air? Let us know in the comments.
