Every September, Apple takes the stage with its signature confidence: “This is the thinnest iPhone we’ve ever made.” And to be fair, they’re rarely wrong. But this year’s crown jewel, the iPhone 17 Air, takes that claim to an entirely new level. With a razor-thin 5.64mm body, a stunning 6.5-inch display, and Apple’s new A19 Pro processor, it’s officially the sleekest iPhone yet.
But there’s a twist. That slim figure doesn’t tell the whole story, especially once you flip the phone over and notice the bulging 48-megapixel camera housing.
So, is the iPhone 17 Air really the slimmest iPhone in history? Well, yes… and no. Let’s break it down.
The Headline Specs
Apple isn’t shy when it comes to hyping up its devices, and the iPhone 17 Air is packed with buzzworthy features:
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Thickness (body only): 5.64mm
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Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
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Chipset: A19 Pro (Apple’s most powerful mobile processor yet)
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RAM: 12GB
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Camera: Single-lens 48MP fusion camera with advanced optical zoom
On paper, those numbers look like a dream. In the hand, the phone feels almost impossibly light — closer to holding a thin slab of glass than a traditional smartphone.
But here’s where the “catch” kicks in: Apple’s measurement only considers the body. The camera bump, which sticks out at 5.68mm, almost doubles the phone’s thickness at the top. That means the true thickness is closer to 11.32mm.
For anyone counting, that actually places it behind the baseline iPhone 17 (11.4mm) and far from the iPhone 5 era, when Apple made ultra-thin devices that felt like slips of aluminum.
Why Companies Ignore Camera Bumps
Now, you might be wondering: isn’t that kind of cheating? Why wouldn’t Apple just include the camera bump in its official thickness measurement?
The answer lies in marketing and design conventions. Smartphone makers — not just Apple — typically measure the main chassis of the device. It provides a clean, consistent number for comparing industrial design. Adding the protrusions would muddy those comparisons, especially since bump sizes vary widely depending on camera tech.
But if we’re being honest, it’s also a clever trick. “Thinnest iPhone ever” just sounds better than “slightly thinner until you look at the camera.”
The History of iPhone Thickness
Let’s put the iPhone 17 Air into perspective.
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iPhone 5 / 5s / SE (1st gen): 7.6mm (including camera) — the true “slim kings”
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iPhone 12 Pro Max: First flagship to cross the 10mm threshold at 10.18mm
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iPhone 13 mini: A petite 9.13mm — thinner than most modern models
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iPhone 16e: 9.48mm, keeping things slim in the budget-friendly lineup
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iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max: A hefty 13.18mm with triple-lens cameras
So, while the iPhone 17 Air technically claims the title of “slimmest ever,” the full picture puts it somewhere in the middle. If you factor in the bump, it’s not the thinnest — just the thinnest body.
Why the Camera Bump Exists
Let’s be clear: the camera bump isn’t just for looks. It’s the result of packing serious photography gear into a device barely thicker than a pencil.
Two main reasons explain its size:
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Larger Image Sensors: Bigger sensors pull in more light, which directly translates to sharper, more vibrant photos. But larger sensors also need more space.
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Optical Zoom: Unlike digital zoom (which just crops an image), optical zoom requires physical lens components to move. More moving parts = more bulk.
And since the inside of a smartphone is already crammed with batteries, processors, antennas, and cooling systems, something has to give. For Apple, the compromise has always been to keep the body thin and let the camera bulge.
Why This Matters to Consumers
For everyday users, the real question is simple: Does the bump actually matter?
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Pocket Feel: Yes, the iPhone 17 Air slips easily into your pocket thanks to its thin body, but the bump can catch when sliding it in or out.
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Wobble Factor: Lay it flat on a desk, and the phone rocks slightly when you tap the screen — a small annoyance, but noticeable.
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Durability: The bump makes the camera more vulnerable if you drop the phone, unless you use a case.
On the flip side, you get incredible photography in a device thinner than most wallets. For many buyers, that’s a trade-off worth making.
A Marketing Marvel
Apple knows exactly what it’s doing here. By highlighting the body thickness, it positions the iPhone 17 Air as a design triumph. And to be fair, it is. Creating a device this thin without sacrificing durability is an engineering feat.
But savvy consumers are starting to call out the fine print. Reddit threads and YouTube reviews are already pointing out the “real” thickness when the bump is included. It doesn’t necessarily make the phone worse, but it does shift the conversation from “world’s thinnest” to “world’s thinnest — sort of.”
Looking Back, Looking Forward
It’s interesting to note that iPhones before the iPhone 12 rarely crossed the 10mm mark, even with bumps. Only in recent years, as cameras became more advanced, did the numbers start climbing.
That raises an important question: will smartphones ever truly lose the bump?
Unless camera tech takes a radical leap — think periscope lenses compressed into wafer-thin sensors — the bump is probably here to stay. But that doesn’t mean it’ll always be this noticeable. Apple has a long history of refining its designs, and it’s not hard to imagine a future where camera housings blend seamlessly into the frame.
My Take: Thinness vs. Practicality
Here’s what really stands out to me: Apple continues to chase thinness like it’s the holy grail, even when most users care more about battery life, durability, or camera quality.
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is a technological marvel. Holding it feels futuristic, like Apple carved a slab of glass down to the bare minimum. But at what cost? The camera bump almost undermines the very brag Apple makes.
Personally, I’d trade a couple of millimeters of thickness for a flush back, a bigger battery, and fewer wobbles on the desk. And judging by the chatter online, I’m not alone.
Still, Apple knows its audience. Some people buy iPhones not just for function but for the statement. The 17 Air is sleek, modern, and screams premium — bump or no bump.
Why This News Matters
So why should you care about the iPhone 17 Air’s thickness drama?
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Design Philosophy: It shows how Apple markets design brilliance while glossing over compromises.
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Consumer Awareness: It reminds buyers to look beyond the numbers and consider real-world use.
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Industry Trend: Other manufacturers follow Apple’s lead. If thinness continues to dominate marketing, bumps will remain standard for years.
For now, the iPhone 17 Air holds the crown as Apple’s thinnest device — as long as you don’t flip it over.
