Apple is reportedly working on a new color option for the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, one that is said to be a unique shade of blue that the company hasn’t used before. This news has generated buzz among potential buyers, but there are concerns that this new hue might not be very distinct.
Reports suggest that the blue may be so light that it could appear nearly white in certain lighting, emulating a trend seen in other recent smartphone releases that favor more muted colors. In contrast to the Air model, the base version of the iPhone 17 is rumored to feature an appealing purple tint.
This new shade is expected to be an improvement over those previously available on the iPhone 14, although it may not quite reach the level of richness found in earlier models like the iPhone 12. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 was praised for its vibrant ultramarine, raising expectations for the upcoming releases.
There are also underlying issues that Apple’s Air model may face, notably regarding its display durability. Reports indicated that the iPhone 17 Air’s screen, which requires a thinner LTPO OLED panel, has been experiencing cracking issues.
This change is significant as Apple transitions all its flagship devices to feature higher refresh rates, moving away from the previous standard of 60 Hz. The iPhone 17 Air is set to be launched alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup later this year, and it could potentially replace the Plus models.
The color palette, which is now a critical aspect of phone design, will be a crucial factor in its market reception, especially when compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which also offers limited color variety. As the release date approaches, anticipation remains high about how these aspects will influence consumer decisions.