The year 2025 brought a wave of ultra-slim phones to the market, but unfortunately, they all fell short of expectations. The iPhone Air, Galaxy S25 Edge, and Motorola Edge 70 were lacking in various aspects, making them less than ideal choices for most consumers. The launch of the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air in China seemed promising, but it was an outlier in a market filled with subpar ultra-slim phones.
Rumors of the Xiaomi 17 Air surfaced, hinting at a potential game-changer in the ultra-slim phone category. According to leaks from Weibo leaker Bold Panda, the Xiaomi 17 Air was expected to be just 5.5mm thick, positioning it as the most compact ultra-slim phone to date. With a 6.59-inch display and a lightweight chassis weighing between 160g and 169g, it promised to offer a unique blend of design and functionality.
The standout feature of the Xiaomi 17 Air would have been its dual rear camera setup, including a 200Mp lens that could rival the best camera phones on the market. Additionally, the phone was rumored to have a battery capacity of over 5000mAh, surpassing the offerings of its competitors. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip would have powered the Xiaomi 17 Air, making it the most powerful ultra-slim Android phone available.
Despite the promising leaks, the Xiaomi 17 Air never made it to market, leaving many disappointed by the missed opportunity for innovation in the ultra-slim phone category. The Honor Magic 8 Pro Air remains a beacon of hope for those seeking a high-quality ultra-slim phone, but its availability outside of China is uncertain.
For those uninterested in ultra-slim phones, there are plenty of excellent options available in the market. Whether you prefer a thicker device with more features or a sleek and compact design, our guide to the best phones you can buy has something for everyone. Ultimately, the Xiaomi 17 Air may have been the phone to change perceptions of ultra-slim phones, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see if any other manufacturers can fill the void left by its absence.
