Apple reveals the iPhone Air that could be its most exciting update in years

Yes, the rumours were true. Apple has just held its yearly showcase at its HQ in Cupertino, and the star of the show is a new iPhone Air. This slimline smartphone, which has just been shown to the world for the very first time, measures in at a wafer-thin 5.6mm thick. That's compared to Samsung's already stupidly skinny Galaxy S25 Edge which is a more podgy 5.8mm.

The Air is clearly made for those who don't want a giant slab stuffed in their pockets, but that doesn't mean it's small.

The Air has now replaced the iPhone 16 Plus. That means it comes packed with a huge 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion for speedy scrolling

Other features include a toughened design so it doesn't snap when put under pressure - something we're sure plenty of YouTubers will be trying when the device goes on sale next week.

Not only does the Air have a Titanium frame, but also Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which is Apple's strongest yet.

Tucked under the shell is a supremely powerful A19 Pro processor which should make short work of even the most memory-hungry tasks. It's the same chip that will ship inside the iPhone 17 Pro models.

That super brain is also fully compatible with Apple Intelligence, which means this device can answer emails, retouch photos and help organise your digital life.

And it features the new N1, a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables fast Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Some might notice that the Air only comes with a single-lens rear camera and has a smaller battery than the standard iPhone 17 and more premium Pro models.

Apple says its single-lens 48MP Fusion snapper will still offer an array of photographic features and it hopes users will get all-day life out of the battery before needing a refill. That's thanks to better efficiency and battery-saving features. Although all-day battery is promised, Apple is lauching a battery pack accessory for those times when owners want longer life.

Like all of the firm's most recent call makers, the iPhone 17 Air gets access to MagSafe technology for easy refilling.

It starts from £999.

"The all-new iPhone Air is so powerful, yet impossibly thin and light, that you really have to hold it to believe it's real. This huge leap in design and engineering is only made possible through Apple innovation, especially Apple silicon," said John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.

"iPhone Air is a brand-new member of the iPhone family that delivers advanced features our users will love, like pro performance, a versatile 48MP Fusion camera system, our innovative Center Stage front camera, and great all-day battery life - all in a breakthrough design that feels like you're holding the future."

As we mentioned earlier, the Air isn't the only new device from Apple.

Along with that skinny gadget, there's also a new iPhone 17 which now features a better ProMotion screen, improved dual-lens cameras and a tougher design with Ceramic Sheild 2 glass. There's also a fast-charging battery and it's powered by the speedy A19 chip.

Prices for the iPhone 17 start from £999.