A recent photo leaked by @MajinBuOfficial shows the screen protectors of all four models in the upcoming iPhone 17 series side by side – giving a clear impression of the differences in size. The new iPhone 17 Air, which replaces the previous Plus model and is positioned between the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in terms of size, is particularly striking. At the same time, the leaker reports a new antenna design in the Pro models, which is intended to ensure better reception.
- Four sizes: 6.1″, 6.3″, 6.6″ and 6.9″ displays
- New iPhone 17 Air as an ultra-thin replacement for the Plus model
- Pro models with revised antenna layout for better reception
- Presentation expected on September 9
Compact Air instead of large Plus
With the iPhone 17 Air, Apple is apparently saying goodbye to the Plus format. The new model has a 6.6-inch display and is almost 30 percent thinner than the iPhone 16 Plus at just 5.5 millimetres. Apple is thus clearly aiming for a more manageable, but still large device. According to the leak, the Air is slightly smaller than the previous Plus model, but larger than the iPhone 17 Pro with its 6.3 inches. A direct comparison of the protective films shows that the Air is positioned almost exactly between the Pro and the 6.9-inch Pro Max.
The standard iPhone 17 retains its 6.1-inch diagonal, but is likely to have slightly wider display edges compared to the Pro, which reinforces the size difference at first glance. This dimensional strategy ensures that buyers can choose between compact handling and maximum screen area, depending on their preference. By eliminating the Plus model, Apple is shifting the product range slightly towards a slimmer, design-oriented offering.
New antenna design for better reception
The leak not only talks about size comparisons, but also about technical changes to the Pro variants. According to the leak, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will no longer have their antennas in the metal frame. Instead, they will be arranged around the significantly larger camera module. The aim is to improve reception, especially for 5G and Wi-Fi 7.
This repositioning has a practical advantage: users often hold their smartphones in such a way that they inadvertently cover the side antennas, which can lead to signal loss. The new arrangement close to the camera reduces this risk. In conjunction with the expected upgrade to more modern modem chips, this could lead to more stable connections and higher data rates – an important sales argument, especially for regions with fluctuating network quality.
Conclusion
The leak of the protective films clearly shows that the iPhone 17 Air fills the gap between the Pro and Pro Max and replaces the Plus model with an ultra-thin, slightly more compact format. This makes the size gradation of the series appear clearer and more focused. Particularly exciting is the new antenna design of the Pro models, which could improve reception and increase everyday user comfort. The iPhone 17 series is expected to be officially unveiled on September 9 – when all the details should be confirmed.
