Apple may bring back bumpers along with the iPhone 17 Air

The company Apple is considering bringing back an iconic accessory – the bumper – specifically for the new smartphone iPhone 17 Air, which will be unveiled in September 2025. This was reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.

Returning to the iPhone 4 era

The bumper first appeared in 2010 with the iPhone 4 as a solution to signal reception problems (“antennagate”). Such an accessory protects only the side edges of the device, leaving the back panel exposed. If Apple revives the design for the iPhone 17 Air, it would be an easy way to protect the smartphone from drops and scratches while keeping its ultra-thin body just 6.2mm thick.

Additional Accessories

According to The Information, Apple is also working on a Battery Case for the iPhone 17 Air. Similar solutions have been offered before: Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 11 and MagSafe Battery Pack for later models. The new variant could improve battery life (the smartphone battery itself is about 2900 mAh) and is likely to get MagSafe support.

What the iPhone 17 Air will be

• 6.6-inch OLED screen
• the Apple A19 chip,
• one 48MP camera on the back

The new product is expected to be priced at $999, making it an intermediate option between the base iPhone 17 ($799) and Pro version ($1199).

Materials and design

Silicone or recycled plastic can be used for the bumper. Unlike in 2010, antennas are no longer as much of an issue, but the accessory can improve grip comfort and add basic protection to a smartphone.

September’s Apple presentation is just around the corner – it won’t be long before it’s clear whether the iconic accessory will make an official return.