The iPhone 17 Air could have echoes of the original MacBook Air, if the latest rumors are true

• Next year’s iPhone 17 Air may contain Apple’s own modem
• This component could have some near-term performance drops
• But it might also pave the way for a new era of Apple products

Apple is on the verge of what could be the most significant iPhone revamp in years, with a speculated “iPhone 17 Air” slimming down the phone to unheard-of proportions when it’s expected to launch next year. It parallels past Apple devices where thinness has been a priority, but will the iPhone 17 Air become a powerhouse like the MacBook Air or a flop like the 12-inch MacBook?

Key to this dilemma is the most unlikely of components: the iPhone’s modem. Rumors have been flying that Apple is building its own mobile modem and could include it in iPhones as soon as early next year. But there could be a noticeable performance hit to your ...