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T-Mobile executive leaks photos of the boxes for the new iPhone line

The boxes for the iPhone Air are different than the boxes for the other phones in the series.

By Alan Friedman

Published: Sep 15, 2025, 2:03 AM

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Jon Freier, President of T‑Mobile’s Consumer Group, recently shared a photo of the boxes for the new iPhone 17 series. The photos on the boxes show the rear panel of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This includes the vertically mounted dual cameras for the iPhone 17, the edge-to-edge horizontal camera bar on the rear of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.. Both of those phones feature a trio of lenses mounted on the camera bar.

Apple differentiates the iPhone Air from the other phones for a good reason

We've mentioned the boxes for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. But that is leaving out one model, the iPhone Air. Instead of showing that handset's rear panel on the box (which includes the single lens Fusion camera), the photo shows a side view of the iPhone Air, allowing Apple to show off the phone's remarkably thin build. In a way, Apple is turning the box for the iPhone Air into an advertisement for the device.

The boxes for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. | Image credit-Jon Freier, T-Mobile

The phone is 5.6mm thick (or .22 inches) compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is 8.75mm thick (.34 inches). Even though the phone is so thin, Apple says that it was able to add optimizations that allow the battery to last for a full day. Apple had to compromise with the rear camera in order to leave more internal room for the battery. The 48MP rear Fusion camera includes a built-in 2x Telephoto camera. Apple can get away with having just one lens on the back of the iPhone Air because of computational photography, the same thing Google did to get away with including a single-lens 12MP camera on the early Pixel phones.

Box for the iPhone Air. | Image credit-Jon Freier, T-Mobile

Apple has bragged about the Pro power inside the iPhone Air. By that, it means that it has equipped the phone with the A19 Pro application processor, the same chipset powering the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The iPhone Air is an early look at iPhone's next direction

The iPhone Air is more than just a thin iPhone. Apple was able to make it the most efficient iPhone model yet by redesigning the internal architecture, and learning how to do this will no doubt help Apple design the iPhone Fold which is expected to be unveiled next year. So in a way, building the iPhone Air is practice for Apple as it gets ready to finally add the long-awaited foldable iPhone to the lineup.

The buzz is getting louder for the iPhone once again

With the new iPhone Air replacing the slow-selling iPhone Plus model (which replaced the equally slow-selling iPhone mini model), the iPhone 17 series feels energized as though the Apple Intelligence fiasco never took place. There has been strong demand for the iPhone 17 series pre-orders. For example, shipping dates for the iPhone 17 Pro Max were pushed back almost as soon as the first orders were accepted by Apple.

Will you hold off buying a new iPhone until next year?

Yes. Next year's models will be better.

26.07%

No. Give me an iPhone 17 series model.

53.68%

I might not be interested in a new iPhone any year.

20.25%

With T-Mobile's Jon Freier sharing photographs of the outside of the iPhone 17 series boxes, we can tell you that inside each box will be the phone, a 1-meter (3.28 feet) braided USB-C charging cable, and documentation. There are many carrier deals available, including several trade-in offers.

Pre-order your iPhone 17 series model right here, right now!

$0 /mo

$23 ⁰⁵

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Get the iPhone 17 and enjoy improved design, better battery life, and top-tier performance. Right now, you can get the phone for $0.00/mo. with Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Buy at Verizon

$0 /mo

$27 ⁷⁷

$28 off (100%)

The slimmest iPhone is here! You can now buy the powerful iPhone Air at Verizon for $0.00/mo. with a new line activation on select Unlimited plans and a trade-in. This is an online-only offer.

Buy at Verizon

$0 /mo

$30 ⁵⁵

$31 off (100%)

The powerful iPhone 17 Pro is finally here! You can now get the new Pro with an upgraded design and a brilliant display for as low as $0.00/mo. at Verizon. You must set up a new line on an Unlimited Ultimate plan and trade in a device to take advantage.

Buy at Verizon

$2 ⁷⁷ /mo

$33 ³³

$31 off (92%)

The impressive iPhone 17 Pro Max is available at Verizon. Right now, you can save up to $1,100 on the premium device when you activate a new line and trade in an eligible device. The promo is only available with an Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Buy at Verizon

The iPhone 17 base model starts at $799, the iPhone Air starts at $999, the iPhone 17 Pro is priced at $1,099 and up, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max costs $1,199 and higher. All four models will start with 256GB of storage. The most expensive model is the 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max which will ring up at $1,999, making it the most expensive iPhone model ever. That could be a short-lived record as next year's foldable iPhone could start as high as $2,000 before considering the pricing for an iPhone Fold model with additional storage.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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