This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
When it comes to phones, I always find myself drawn to the latest leaks and rumors, trying to piece together what the next big thing might be, and recently, there’s been a lot of buzz about the rumored iPhone 17 Slim, a super-thin iPhone with a “brand new design” expected to launch next year.
According to multiple sources, the “iPhone Slim” could start at $1,300, which would make it Apple’s most expensive phone ever.
However, as exciting as a super-thin phone might sound, I can’t help but feel that Apple might be missing the point here…
For instance, why not take the chance to make something truly unique instead of a thinner iPhone?
Moreover, if the iPhone 17 Slim really costs $1,300, you’d expect it to be the best iPhone you can buy. According to the leaks, however, this isn’t going to be the case.
What’s the iPhone Slim all about then?! Does it make sense?
iPhone Slim: Who told Tim Cook people want a $1,300 iPhone with one camera?! This isn’t the iPhone SE, Apple…
$500 for an iPhone with a single rear camera is where I’d draw the single-camera line.
That’s an awkward one since (usually) I do believe future phones should be able to have a single camera that’s good at doing multiple things - like zooming.
In the case of the iPhone 17 Slim, however, the rumor is for an iPhone with a single camera that doesn’t do anything special. And there’s no way it could since the tech simply isn’t there yet - Apple isn’t ready to make a single camera with a variable aperture and continuous zoom in order to eliminate the need for extra sensors.
In this context, the iPhone 17 Slim immediately feels like a step back compared to iPhone 17 Pro, which will (of course) have multiple high-end cameras. As a matter of fact, this should be the first iPhone boasting a triple 48MP camera system with 10x lossless zoom.
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A single camera might have been acceptable a few years ago, but in today’s market, multi-camera systems have become the norm, and for a reason. They provide versatility and quality that a single lens simply can't match (at least not yet), which makes me doubt many would pay $1,300 for a phone with only one camera. Even if it’s an iPhone.
The idea of spending that much money on a phone with such a glaring omission is wild. People expect to get their money's worth, and a single camera at this price point feels like a rip-off.
Not to mention, the alleged iPhone Slim will be sharing the stage with the upcoming iPhone SE 4 - another iPhone expected to boast a single rear camera. The “small difference”, of course, is that the iPhone SE 4 is expected to start at $500.
On a more personal note, as someone who uses their phone for photography regularly (especially when traveling), I just don’t want a phone with one camera. Let alone one that costs $1,300, or something like €1,600 in Europe.
And if I did want a phone with only one camera, why wouldn’t I get an iPhone SE 4, which should cost nearly three times less?!
How much thinner can a smartphone be, and is it likely that Apple is focusing on the wrong problems here?
How thin is too thin; and how thin is too fragile?
Another thing I don’t fully get is Apple’s newly-found obsession with making things thinner… How much thinner can a smartphone be? And is it even necessary?
We don’t know how thin the iPhone Slim might be, but if the iPad Pro’s 5.1mm width is anything to go by, then the more compact iPhone could very well be less than 6mm thin. However, I’m starting to wonder if Apple is focusing on the wrong problems here…
While a thinner phone might look sleek and even be lighter (which is great), it’d certainly come with some compromises.
For example, battery life can suffer in ultra-thin devices because there’s simply less space for a large battery. And I don’t know about you but I’d much rather have a slightly thicker phone with excellent battery life than a super-slim device that needs to be charged more often.
Moreover, thinner phones can be more fragile, and we’ve already seen Apple mess this up before with the iPhone 6, which was prone to… bending.
All in all, if making a phone thinner means it's more prone to breaking, then the trade-off simply isn’t worth it.
In my opinion, smartphone durability should always come before any marginal reductions in weight/thickness for the sake of aesthetics. A phone that can withstand daily wear and tear is far more valuable than one that might crack under minimal pressure.
iPhone Slim could be Apple’s biggest missed opportunity to make something truly different (like a metal iPhone)
Instead of making a thinner, more fragile iPhone, Apple should take the chance to make a metal phone - like the OnePlus Nord 4.
Why won’t Apple make a different, unique iPhone that’s made out of metal? And if Apple’s ultimate goal is to sell a more expensive iPhone, instead of a super thin iPhone - a metal iPhone is something I would actually pay extra money for.
The other (in my view) obvious question is - why would Apple make a slimmer iPhone instead of using its limitless resources to make a truly different iPhone? Of course, I’m talking about a metal iPhone, which is something I’d actually pay extra money for.
A premium iPhone with a sleek, all-metal design - it wouldn’t only look premium but also offer enhanced durability. Not to mention metal phones have the kind of appeal that glass and plastic simply can’t match. At least for me…
Moreover, a metal iPhone would stand out in a market flooded with glass-back devices. It could also bring back the nostalgia of models like the iPhone 5 and iPhone 16, which were beloved for their industrial design.
What I’m saying is that Apple might be overlooking an incredible opportunity to innovate in a more meaningful way. Just look at the OnePlus Nord 4, which is currently the only metal phone on the market. This makes it stand out in the sea of mid-range phones that look and feel the same.
And let me tell you… the iPhone could do with some personality. Especially since so many Android phones are now copying the iPhone 15’s design.
Ironically, if Apple was to make a metal iPhone, this means other Android phone-makers could follow the trend, and that’d be the best news for everybody.
Killing the $700 iPhone mini to make a slimmer $1,300 iPhone? Come on, Apple…
Apple killed the iPhone mini to launch a Slim model?!
In conclusion, while the idea of a super-thin iPhone 17 Slim might sound intriguing at first, the reality is that (according to the leaks and rumors), the Slim would be offering you very little for its rumored $1,300 price tag, which might increase its chances of becoming popular… quite slim.
This makes me wonder… Why cancel the iPhone mini to release an iPhone that might appeal to an even more niche audience than the mini?
If the super-compact iPhone mini had too small of a user base to stick around, why would a thinner iPhone that’s more expensive and less capable than an iPhone 17 Pro Max manage to grab people’s cash and attention?
But what do I know…
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Martin, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His fascination with smartphones began with a Galaxy Young and evolved through a series of trades and upgrades, making him a self-proclaimed smartphone nerd. Martin's content often combines current analysis of market trends with historical references and future predictions. Whether it's a deep dive into technical issues or a first-person commentary on industry events, Martin's articles are designed to inform and engage. His critical perspective is driven by genuine curiosity and a desire to keep readers informed, not by any corporate sponsorship.
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