It seems that the American technology company Apple is working on a fundamental update in the 17th generation iPhone smartphones. An all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Slim model is expected to go on sale in 2026.
As Tom’s Guide writes, this model will be the most expensive in the line. But fresh rumors indicate that the iPhone 17 Slim will have only one camera. And it will cost $1,299.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, in the development of the new product, the company is focused on the form and not on the functionality of the future device. That is why everything possible will be removed from the Slim model to make it as thin as possible. And engineers are ready for really big compromises.
Since Apple has traditionally offered two cameras on the base iPhone and Plus models and three on the Pro and Pro Max versions, a single-lens phone would be a big change. At the same time, rumors claim that other models in the iPhone 17 line will have a 48 MP wide-angle lens. The iPhone 17 Slim will probably get it as well. After all, the wide-angle (as Apple calls the main) lens is the most versatile and capable of some zoom. It also provides better resolution and depth of field. If the rumors that Apple will offer an adjustable aperture on the iPhone 17 are true and this feature appears on the Slim, it will help improve the quality of photos.
Kuo's report contains another important assumption. The iPhone 17 Slim case is likely to be made with “a lower percentage of titanium than the current Pro and Pro Max metal frames.” As for other specs, Kuo suggested the Slim will feature a 6.6-inch 2740 x 1260 display, an A19 chip, Dynamic Island, and Apple's own 5G chip instead of Qualcomm.
At the same time, rumors about the appearance of the iPhone 17 Slim appeared almost simultaneously with the information that Apple will remove the Plus model from the line, leaving the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in it, which will be joined by a thin version of the smartphone. At the same time, as Kuo notes, it is not positioned as a replacement for Plus. Instead, Apple is exploring new design trends outside of the existing iPhone lineup.
According to another recent report, Apple is preparing to release a flexible iPhone model in 2026 that will bend horizontally and fold like Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 model. At the same time, the iPhone 17 Slim could become an important milestone in the design of Apple smartphones, as the company wants to make sure that the so-called iPhone Flip will be twice as thin as the traditional iPhone. So, these two technologies go hand in hand.
It should also be noted that in his report, Kuo indicated that the Plus model accounts for only 5-10% of iPhone sales and it is planned to discontinue its production next year. In this way, the search for new formats by Apple engineers becomes completely understandable and justified.