HIGHLIGHTS

Apple initially considered eliminating the USB-C port from the iPhone 17 Air.

Plans revolved around relying solely on wireless charging and cloud-based data transfers.

Ultimately, the company decided to retain the USB-C port for the device.

The anticipation surrounding the launch of the iPhone 17 Air has been stoked by numerous rumors. This model, part of the highly awaited iPhone 17 series, is expected to replace the Plus variant in Apple’s lineup. It’s being touted as the slimmest iPhone to date. However, according to a recent report from Bloomberg, Apple initially aimed to introduce a completely port-free iPhone but later revised this decision.

The original concept for the iPhone 17 Air involved the removal of the USB-C port, positioning it as the first wireless-only iPhone. This vision hinged on the idea that users would depend entirely on wireless charging methods and cloud-based services for data transfer. Nevertheless, Apple has decided to retain the USB-C port for the time being. A significant reason behind this choice stems from regulatory considerations, particularly in the European Union, which has mandated USB-C as the universal charging standard. Eliminating this port could have led to potential legal complications for the tech giant.

Usability concerns also played a critical role in Apple’s decision. Despite the growing trend of reliance on wireless charging and cloud storage among tech users, a complete removal of the charging port might have caused considerable inconvenience and frustration. It appears that Apple is not quite ready to take that leap into a port-less future just yet.

Although the company has opted against a port-free iPhone for the present, this concept remains on the table for future iterations. Apple is known for evolving its products and might explore a port-free design when the time is right.

For additional insights, check out this article: iPhone 17 Air price in India, design, camera, and more leaks.

Expected Specifications and Price of the iPhone 17 Air in India

Expect the iPhone 17 Air to sport a vibrant 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display, featuring a swift 120Hz refresh rate along with support for the Always-On display functionality. It is rumored to be powered by Apple’s upcoming A19 chip and will likely come with 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance.

When it comes to photography, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to house a robust 48MP primary camera equipped with 2x optical zoom capabilities. However, it’s noteworthy that this model might not include an ultrawide sensor, which some users could find disappointing.

The base version of the iPhone 17 Air, offering 128GB of storage, is projected to carry a price tag of approximately Rs 89,900 in India.

For further comparisons and insights, make sure to read: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5 big changes to expect from the upcoming flagship.