iPhone 17 Pro Max Appears in Chinese Markets

iPhone 17 Pro Max Spotted in China as Rumors Point to Ultra-Thin “iPhone 17 Air”

A viral video on Chinese social media has revealed what appear to be the final production units of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, giving an early glimpse at Apple’s upcoming flagship. The clip, first posted on Weibo, shows multiple devices in different colors displayed in a Chinese marketplace.

According to GSMArena, the leaked units highlight a redesigned chassis with several key changes: a new cooling mechanism beneath the Apple logo, a shifted logo placement, and an updated camera module that bears resemblance to Google’s Pixel lineup. The design is consistent with earlier leaks, suggesting this could be the final look of Apple’s next Pro Max.

Apple is expected to officially unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, with global availability rolling out in stages in the following weeks.

The Slimmest iPhone Ever: “iPhone 17 Air”

Alongside the Pro Max, Apple is rumored to introduce the iPhone 17 Air, which could become the thinnest iPhone ever produced—and possibly one of the thinnest smartphones worldwide.

To achieve this ultra-thin design, Apple is reportedly removing the physical SIM slot and adopting an embedded eSIM-only approach. Unlike previous years, when eSIM-only iPhones were limited to the U.S., the iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch globally without a SIM tray.

China, where most of Apple’s manufacturing takes place, has once again been the first market where production-ready units have surfaced. This isn’t the first time iPhone 17 prototypes have leaked—an earlier iPhone 17 Pro Max test unit was previously spotted with an Apple employee in another viral video.

What to Expect at Apple’s September Event

The iPhone 17 lineup, including the Pro Max and rumored Air, is set to take center stage at Apple’s September 9 event, where the company will also reveal iOS 26. With a new design language, updated hardware, and bold experiments like the iPhone 17 Air, Apple appears ready to shake up its iPhone strategy in 2025.