Where is the iPhone 17 Plus? Why Apple decided to scrap its iPhone 16 Plus sequel and launch the Air instead

But you might notice that one model is missing from the lineup. Yes, there's no successor to the iPhone 16 Plus.

Apple released three different iterations of its so-called "Plus" models, starting with the iPhone 14 Plus back in September 2022, which was followed by the iPhone 15 Plus one year later. And now, it seems pretty clear that the iPhone 16 Plus launched last September could be the final version of this handset.

With its "Plus" models, Apple made the palm-stretching screen sizes previously only available on the most expensive "Max" variants available at a lower price point.

While the iPhone 16 Pro Max started from £1,199 — you could save yourself £300 by choosing the iPhone 16 Plus and (almost) pocketing the same screen size.

Granted, you'd miss out on some of the trimmings reserved for the Pro-grade models, like a third camera on the back of the handset, an always-on screen, and aerospace-grade titanium frame. However, if you wanted an expansive Super Retina XDR screen to watch boxsets and films, play games, or multi-task on-the-move without paying four-figures for a new iPhone, it was a welcome addition to the lineup.

While there's no iPhone 17 Plus, Apple is still producing the iPhone 16 Plus — and it's now available at a lower starting point. While this same handset cost £899 when it launched last autumn, you can pocket the same 16 Plus for £100 less right now. And you can save even more if you shop with Amazon UK.

But if there's no iPhone 17 Plus on the shelves of your local Apple Store, what has replaced it?

Enter, iPhone Air.

This new handset arrives with a (slightly) smaller 6.5-inch display compared to the 6.7-inch panel found on the iPhone 16 Plus that it replaces in the lineup. If you're looking for a larger screen without paying for the extra features found on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, this could still be a good option.

However, this really isn't a like-for-like replacement for the iPhone 16 Plus.

As you might've guessed from its name, iPhone Air prioritises an ultra-slim design over everything else. At 5.6mm slim, this is one of the thinnest smartphones ever built. Without a protective case, it's around one-third slimmer than the iPhone 16 Plus. Trust us, we've measured it — iPhone Air is about the same as three 20p coins stacked.

It's seriously slim and is barely noticeable in the pocket. It's not only thin, it's also light. Tipping the scales at 165g, this smartphone is lighter than a sharing bag of Malteasers (we checked).

But that crash-diet comes with some drawbacks.

On the back of the iPhone 17 Air, you'll find a single 48MP "Fusion" camera housed in a pill-shaped bump, compared to the dual-system on the back of the iPhone 16 Plus. While iPhone Air does support ProMotion — a feature that was reserved for the pricier Pro-grade iPhone models until this year — there's only eSIM support due to its slim frame. So you'll need to make sure that your mobile network supports this newer standard.

Powering the iPhone Air is the brand-new A19 Pro system-on-a-chip, which unlocks the latest Apple Intelligence features, including real-time translation during FaceTime and phone calls, automatic screening of spam calls, the ability to remove unwanted people and objects from the background of your photos, and much more.

You'll also be able to edit 4K Dolby Vision HDR video files, play the latest games with support for console standards like Ray-Tracing, and bounce between multiple apps to bolster productivity.

Despite the 2.2mm difference in thickness between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air, there's no difference between the battery life rating from Apple. Yes, the Californian company has rated both of these handsets to ensure 27 hours of video playback on a single charge. That means you'll be able to binge-watch boxsets and blockbusters on your next long-haul flights without worrying about the iPhone dying in your hands.

Of course, video playback is different from other tasks you'll be doing on your iPhone. If you're making FaceTime calls via 5G signal, uploading photos to iCloud, or editing high-resolution photographs, the total amount of battery life will be different to watching a Netflix show you've downloaded for offline viewing.

Charging is handled via USB-C, so you'll be able to pack a single charging cable on your next holiday and top up the battery in your iPhone, iPad, Nintendo Switch 2, MacBook, Kindle, and dozens of other devices.

Apple has built a new ultra-slim battery pack specifically for iPhone Air, adding up to 65% additional charge to iPhone Air. According to Apple, that should extend "battery life further than the battery life of any other iPhone".

Not to worry, there are several third-party battery packs that will work iPhone 16 Plus to extend its lifespan when you're away from a plug for an extended time, including those that attach and charge to the back of the handset via the MagSafe magnetic connectors, like the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery.

If you were hoping to upgrade to an iPhone 17 Plus, the new iPhone Air isn't quite that.

Granted, it's more affordable than iPhone 17 Pro Max and packs a similarly generous screen size.

It's also powered by the same top-of-the-line A19 Pro custom-designed chipset from Apple, so you'll benefit from the latest iOS features for years to come.

There's a ProMotion touchscreen that intelligently ramps up to 120Hz for buttery-smooth animations, like scrolling. It can lower itself to just 1Hz to enable the Always-On screen, letting you glance at the time, incoming notifications, and information from lockscreen widgets.

However, if you liked the dual-camera system on the older "Plus" models and the ability to shoot arty ultra-wide shots, then you'll likely be disappointed by the single camera setup on the iPhone Air. Likewise, if your mobile network doesn't support eSIM, you'll need to switch before trousering the iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone Air isn't a continuation of the "Plus" models, despite some shared DNA. This is something completely new — and impossibly thin.

It's also £100 more expensive than the "Plus" models started from last year, so it'll bring you closer to splashing out on the all-singing, all-dancing Pro-level iPhone than ever before, with just a £100 price difference for the iPhone 17 Pro, and £200 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The latter comes with a mammoth 6.9-inch screen, triple-camera system with lossless 8x telephoto zoom and ultra-wide camera, and that new unibody aluminium case in Cosmic Orange. Although at 8.75mm, it's quite a bit chunkier.

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