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Apple iPhone 17 Air to Have “Ugly” Design Update, New Leak Says
A new dummy model leak has revealed a surprising twist in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air’s design. While we’ve been expecting a thinner and more compact device, it seems that Apple has had to make some compromises to achieve this level of thinness.
According to MacRumors, the USB-C port on the bottom edge is no longer centered front-to-back, but rather closer to the rear of the device than the front. This change is said to be necessary to accommodate internal components in the tighter chassis.
The leak also shows that the central element around which the hollow USB-C connector wraps when plugged in appears to be slightly off-center, sitting lower than the middle. While this may not be aesthetically pleasing for some, it’s important to note that there are limits to how thin a display can be while still accommodating touch capabilities and other internal components.
In addition, the dummy model shows two perforations on either side of the USB-C port, which is more symmetrical than other iPhone models. However, this asymmetry may lead to concerns about the phone’s speaker performance being less potent than its competitors.
It’s also worth noting that the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the first iPhone sold outside the U.S. designed for eSIM only, without a SIM card tray. This change could potentially impact sales of the device, especially considering it will no longer have the option to insert a physical SIM card.
Despite these changes, interest in the phone remains high due to its incredible thin profile and the 6.6-inch screen size, which could make the iPhone easier to use one-handed than larger Pro Max models. The new design is also seen as “intriguing” by some, potentially drawing customers in with its futuristic feel.
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2025/05/03/apple-iphone-17-air-may-have-ugly-design-change-new-leak-claims/
