Recent leaks suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will feature the A19 Pro chip, produced using TSMC’s 3nm process, but with a 5-core GPU instead of the 6-core version found in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

This alteration helps reduce heat output and saves precious internal space - critical for a phone with a battery capacity reportedly between 2,800 to 3,000mAh.

Sources like GSMArena and CNET highlight that the A19 Pro will enable Apple Intelligence capabilities such as enhanced Siri and AI-powered image processing, without adding thickness. MacRumors describes this variant as “near-Pro,” delivering strong performance in a lightweight 145g chassis with a 6.6-inch 120Hz OLED display - ideal for mobility-focused users.

Apple’s choice of a modified A19 Pro chip aligns with the goal of balancing performance and minimalism. According to PhoneArena, dropping one GPU core reduces heat and supports Apple’s use of silicon-anode battery tech, which increases energy density without requiring a larger battery.

Given the iPhone 17 Air targets users who browse, chat, and take photos casually, a 5-core GPU should suffice. Reddit discussions suggest that buyers of the Air model prioritize size and weight over high-end gaming performance.

From a manufacturing standpoint, Apple may be reusing A19 Pro chips with GPU defects (5 working cores instead of 6), cleverly balancing yield with performance. This strategy enables efficient use of slightly imperfect chips in a model optimized for efficiency rather than raw power.

Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities noted, “A reduced-GPU A19 Pro is a smart choice for the iPhone 17 Air, maintaining high performance in a slim body, though sacrificing some graphics power compared to Pro models.”

Similarly, Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, told Tom's Guide, “Thin design requires power-efficient chips, and the A19 Pro is key to Apple’s response to slim Android rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.”

Earlier rumors from Gadgets 360 and IndiaTodayTech pointed to the A18 chip for the Air model, but more recent updates from MacWorld and WhatHiFi support the A19 Pro theory. The 3nm N3P process reportedly offers 15% faster performance and 20% better efficiency than the A18, paired with iOS 26’s adaptive energy management.

Battery life - a critical weak point?

The A19 Pro is Apple’s latest chip, using TSMC’s N3P node, equipped with a powerful CPU, 6-core GPU, and up to 12GB RAM in Pro models - making it superior to both A18 and A18 Pro.

Even with a 5-core GPU, the Air version would outperform the standard A19 and most certainly beat the base iPhone 17. It’s expected to handle AI tasks, photography, and multitasking without issue.

However, experts warn that the small battery could limit usage time. CNET cautions that even with chip optimizations, reduced battery size may impact real-world performance.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman remarked, “Apple is betting on the A19 Pro to differentiate the iPhone 17 Air, but without battery improvements, it could share the same fate as the iPhone Mini.”

The Times of India noted that the chip will support Apple’s custom 5G modem with speeds up to 4Gbps, though it remains inferior to Qualcomm’s, potentially requiring more fine-tuning to fit the compact design.

A calculated move or risky gamble?

Overall, the customized A19 Pro appears to be the optimal chip for the iPhone 17 Air, striking a rare balance between ultra-thin design and functional performance. With a projected price between $899 and $1,099, this model is set to compete fiercely in Vietnam, where demand for slimmer smartphones is growing by 20% annually.

Apple will officially unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, 2025, with a possible market release on September 19. This year’s four new models include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air.

This could be Apple’s boldest hardware move yet - proving that minimalism and performance are no longer mutually exclusive in the AI era.

Hai Phong