no 5x optical zoom, but many interesting new features

As reported by the Korean newspaper The Elecand futures iPhone 17 and the unpublished iPhone 17 Air they will not be equipped with a lens with 5x optical zoom. This feature will continue to be exclusive to the Pro models, namely the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The news is not entirely surprising, given that the new Air line focuses above all on an ultra-thin design, which would not allow integrate complex technologies such as the tetraprism periscope system.

In the current iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the sistema tetraprism guarantees an optical zoom of up to 5x thanks to an innovative “folded lens” structure. This technology allows you to achieve up to 25x digital zoom. However, the lack of space in the next generation base and Air models will limit the optical zoom to 2xexactly as happens now with the standard iPhone 16.

The first rumors about the iPhone 17 Air reveal that the device will probably be equipped with a single 48 megapixel rear camerawhich may represent a compromise compared to the Pro models that offer a more versatile configuration. However, the Air’s slim and innovative design could win over a large audience.

The iPhone 17 Air could become the thinnest Apple device ever madewith a screen of approx 6.6 inchesslightly smaller than the 6.9 inches of the Pro Max model. It will be equipped with the chip A19but not with the Pro variant, reserved for high-end models. Among the expected innovations, we also find the use of the first 5G modem designed entirely by Apple, a strategic move that could mark the beginning of a new era in cellular connectivity for the company.

Despite the interesting specs, the iPhone 17 Air could represent a mix of compromises. For example, the single camera would put it on the same level as the iPhone SE when it comes to photography. Furthermore, despite being equipped with a generous display and a powerful chip, the Pro models will continue to dominate in terms of performance and exclusive features.