In a report by DigiTimes, it has been revealed that the iPhone 17 Slim or possibly the iPhone 17 Air, although the final names are still up in the air has reached a new stage of production. The stage where they have reached is named the ‘New Product Introduction’ phase which allows potential contract manufacturers to access initial designs, sketches and concepts of the device.
These manufacturers will evaluate the design to determine its viability for mass production and they are also tasked with system planning, they must identify any constraints in manufacturing such as issues in producing specific design elements.
The complexity of this phase mainly hinges on the product itself, as it is expected that the iPhone 17 Slim or Air to be exceptionally thin, this stage is supposed to present more hurdles than a minor update that features a different camera layout or chip arrangement.
A possibility is there that the contract manufacturers might inform Apple that certain production processes are impractical and they required design modifications. The iPhone 17 Air could potentially set the stage for a foldable iPhone displaying advancements in display technology and an ultra-slim profile.
Until an official statement is provided by Apple, something that seems unlikely at this point, it would be wise to approach the DigiTimes report with scepticism. However, DigiTimes does have a strong industry connection which makes it reasonable to expect that leaks from the production pipeline emerge precisely when Apple needs to coordinate with other firms. Recently, a variety of brand-new products together with the the iPhone 16 have been launched by the tech giant such as the latest iPad Mini and Apple Watch Series 10. As of Monday afternoon, its market capitalization remained at around $4.79 which solidifies its position as the most valuable company on the global level.
