The possible iPhone 17 Air model might match the power of the 17 Pro, although it comes with a notable limitation
The tech world is abuzz with rumours about the upcoming iPhone 17 series, and one standout piece of news is the expected upgrade in the processor of the iPhone 17 Air. According to a post on Weibo from Fixed Focus Digital, this will mark the first time Apple will use a more powerful chipset in the iPhone 17 Air[4].
The rumoured chipset is an A19 Pro variant, which is expected to have one fewer GPU core than the full Pro version found in the iPhone 17 Pro models. This change differs from earlier speculation that it would use the base A19 chip[1].
Enhanced RAM of 12GB is also expected, matching the Pro models rather than the 8GB in the current iPhone 16 generation[1][2]. This upgrade in both the CPU and RAM is likely to deliver notably better CPU and GPU capabilities than the prior Air models, yet with perhaps slightly less graphics power than the full Pro versions[1].
Regarding thermal management, rumours indicate that all iPhone 17 models, including the Air, will employ vapor chamber heatsinks. Vapor chambers help spread heat more evenly across the device, reducing thermal throttling and ensuring steadier performance even with a more powerful chip in a very thin chassis like the iPhone 17 Air[5].
The implications for overall performance are significant. The Air's chipset being close to the Pro's but slightly scaled-back means it should deliver notably better CPU and GPU capabilities than the prior Air models, yet with perhaps slightly less graphics power than the full Pro versions. The upgraded 12GB RAM combined with a vapor chamber cooling solution will help maintain sustained performance during demanding tasks without excessive heat buildup or performance drops[1].
Moreover, the use of a 3nm+ (N3P) TSMC manufacturing process for the A19 chip improves efficiency and transistor density, further balancing power and thermal constraints[2][4].
In summary, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to offer a significant performance bump with a near-Pro-tier A19 Pro chipset variant, supported by advanced thermal management via vapor chamber technology to sustain performance within its thin form factor[1][2][5].
It's worth noting that four iPhones are expected to be launched, similar to the last few years[3]. The iPhone 17 Air, expected to be 5.5mm thick, might have to throttle both CPU and GPU performance at times to prevent overheating[6].
Apple's decision to use a more powerful processor in the iPhone 17 Air positions it as a strong competitor to the Galaxy S25 Edge, which also employs advanced thermal management solutions[7]. Despite the drop in graphics performance, the iPhone 17 Air should still be able to run the latest games[8].
[1] TheShortcut [2] TheShortcut [3] TheShortcut [4] Fixed Focus Digital (Weibo post) [5] TheShortcut [6] TheShortcut [7] TheShortcut [8] TheShortcut
The iPhone 17 Air, with its anticipated A19 Pro chipset, is poised to rival smartphones like the Galaxy S25 Edge, as both devices incorporate advanced technology for thermal management. Despite a potential decrease in graphics power compared to the full Pro versions, the new iPhone 17 Air is expected to run the latest gadgets, including games, due to its boosted CPU and GPU capabilities.
