Imagine holding the sleekest, thinnest iPhone Apple has ever created: the iPhone 17 Air. Rumored to be released this fall, it is so slim that it makes the current lineup look bulky in comparison. The interesting part? Apple considered going even further by eliminating every port, including the USB-C, making it the company’s first truly port-free iPhone. That’s right—no cables, no connectors, just a smooth surface of technology. This was apparently the plan at one point, according to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg.

Now, before you start imagining a world where you’re fumbling with wireless chargers 24/7, hold up—Apple didn’t go through with it. Gurman says the company hit pause on the port-free dream, largely to avoid poking the bear that is the European Union’s regulators. The EU’s been on a tear lately, pushing for standardized charging ports (hence the USB-C mandate that forced Apple to ditch Lightning in the first place). Going completely portless might’ve been seen as a sly workaround, potentially sparking a fresh round of legal headaches. So, for now, the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly keep its USB-C port, but Apple’s keeping the idea in its back pocket for future slim iPhones—depending on how this one lands with the masses.

The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a bit of a departure from Apple’s usual playbook. For years, the company’s stuck to a predictable rhythm—four new iPhones each fall, with two entry-level models and two Pro-tier heavyweights. This year’s no different, but the Air is stealing the spotlight. Gurman pegs it at about 2 millimeters thinner than its siblings, which might not sound like much until you see it in person—or at least in leaked dummy units. Over the weekend, well-known leaker Sonny Dickson dropped a batch of photos on X, showing what’s supposedly the iPhone 17 lineup in all its glory. The Air stands out, looking almost comically svelte next to the rest.

So, what do we know about this featherweight contender? Gurman’s sources suggest it’ll land at around $900, slotting it neatly between the base iPhone 17 and the pricier Pro models. You’re still getting a solid battery life—comparable to what we’ve seen in recent iPhones—a 6.6-inch display with the now-familiar Dynamic Island, and that new Camera Control button Apple debuted with the iPhone 16 series last year. It’s not skimping on the essentials, but the real question is whether that ultra-thin design will be enough to win over buyers who’ve gotten used to chunkier, port-packed devices.

Let’s rewind to that port-free tease for a sec. It’s not the first time Apple’s flirted with the idea. Back in 2021, rumors swirled that the company was testing portless prototypes, leaning hard into MagSafe wireless charging and a cable-free future. The logic’s pretty clear: fewer holes mean less dust, less water sneaking in, and a cleaner, more futuristic look. Plus, Apple’s already got the ecosystem to back it up—AirPods, Apple Watches, and even the latest MacBooks lean heavily on wireless tech. A port-free iPhone feels like the natural next step.

But here’s where it gets tricky. Going portless isn’t just a design flex—it’s a gamble. Wired charging is still faster and more reliable than wireless, and not everyone’s ready to shell out for MagSafe accessories or deal with the occasional “where’s my charger puck?” panic. Then there’s the data transfer issue. Sure, most folks sync their stuff via iCloud these days, but pros who rely on wired connections for hefty file transfers—like 4K ProRAW video—might scoff at the idea. And let’s not forget the EU factor. Regulators might argue a port-free phone skirts the spirit of their USB-C rules, even if it technically complies by having no port at all.

Gurman hints Apple’s still keen on the concept, though. If the iPhone 17 Air sells like hotcakes—and if wireless tech keeps getting better—we could see a portless iPhone sooner than you’d think. For now, it’s a “watch this space” situation.

What’s next for the iPhone 17 lineup?

Zooming out, the iPhone 17 family is starting to take shape, even if Apple’s staying tight-lipped as usual. Alongside the Air, expect the standard iPhone 17, plus the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max—all dropping in September or October, if Apple sticks to its typical schedule. The Pro models will likely bring the usual upgrades: beefier cameras, faster chips (maybe the A19 Pro), and that premium titanium finish. The base iPhone 17, meanwhile, could pick up some trickle-down features from last year’s Pros, like ProMotion displays or better zoom lenses.

The Air, though? It’s the wild card. At $900, it’s not cheap, but it’s not quite Pro money either. It’s aiming for that sweet spot where style meets substance—think of it as the MacBook Air of iPhones. Whether that thinner frame and (for now) ported design will justify the price tag remains to be seen. Early leaks, like Dickson’s dummy pics, suggest it’ll turn heads, but beauty’s only skin-deep—or in this case, 2 millimeters deep.