Remember the buzz about an ultra-thin iPhone 17 “Air” or “Slim”? A new announcement from a Taiwanese display maker might just add to that excitement.
New Display Technology
A Taiwanese firm named Novatek has revealed plans to produce OLED screens using a fresh technique called Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI). This innovative approach merges the touch sensor layer and the display driver into a single component. While this may seem like a small change, it could significantly reduce the thickness of smartphones. By eliminating a separate layer, manufacturers might be able to cut down on valuable millimeters, leading to slimmer devices.
Potential iPhone 17 Features
Recent information from DigiTimes indicates that Apple might be one of Novatek's early customers for this TDDI display. It's not hard to understand why. There have been ongoing rumors about a super-thin iPhone 17 Air (or Slim) that could take the place of the “Plus” model. The new TDDI display could enable Apple to minimize the phone’s dimensions and achieve the thinness they are striving for.
Nevertheless, it’s not a sure thing. According to DigiTimes, Apple may first test this technology on other products, such as upcoming iPads or Apple Watches. There’s even a possibility that the highly speculated foldable iPhone or iPad could take advantage of this new display technology.
What We Know So Far
So, what else is on the table for the iPhone 17 Air/Slim? Earlier reports suggest it will feature a 6.6” display equipped with both Dynamic Island and 120Hz ProMotion support. For its performance, it might be powered by Apple’s upcoming A19 chip, which is anticipated to be manufactured using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process. An August report also hinted at an upgrade for the selfie camera across the entire iPhone 17 lineup, swapping out the 12MP lens for a high-resolution 24MP camera.
If these rumors hold true, the iPhone 17 Slim is likely to come with a hefty price tag. It’s projected to be the priciest model in the range, starting at around $1,299. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be priced at $1,099 and $1,199, respectively.
