Apple’s
iPhone 17 series has been turning heads, but it’s the iPhone 17 Air that’s been stealing the spotlight. At just 5.6 mm thick, it’s the slimmest iPhone ever — a design statement that looks almost futuristic. But the question everyone’s been asking is simple: can a phone this thin actually be repaired if something goes wrong? Turns out, yes. iFixit cracked open the iPhone 17 Air, and what they found might surprise you — this thing is more repair-friendly than most expected.
Battery is easier than ever to swap
In most older iPhones, the battery was buried under delicate components, making replacement tricky and nerve-wracking. The iPhone 17 Air completely flips that approach. Its battery sits right on top, meaning you don’t need to dismantle half the phone just to get to it.
Apple has also added electrically debonding adhesive — a smart material that loosens with a small electrical charge. This means battery swaps are safer, faster, and far less messy. For anyone planning to hold onto their phone for years, this is a huge win.
Modular USB-C port keeps repairs cheap
Charging ports are one of the most common failure points on smartphones, but fixing them has always been a pain since they’re usually soldered to the logic board. Not here. The iPhone 17 Air has a modular USB-C port that can be swapped out independently, saving both money and hassle. Seeing this level of modularity in a phone this thin is rare — and a welcome shift from Apple.
iFixit’s verdict: 7/10 repairability score
When all was said and done, iFixit gave the
iPhone 17 Air a repairability score of 7/10 — the same as the iPhone 16 Pro. But considering the Air’s record-breaking thinness, that’s an impressive result. Apple could have sacrificed repairability in favour of sleek design, but instead, it found a balance.
Why it matters
Repairability isn’t just a tech-nerd metric — it’s what makes a phone cheaper to own in the long run. A swappable battery and replaceable USB-C port mean this phone is built to last, not just look good.
The iPhone 17 Air might be Apple’s most stylish iPhone yet, but it also proves that ultra-slim doesn’t have to mean disposable. That’s a rare win for both design lovers and repair advocates.
