There’s a juicy hint about the iPhone 17 Air floating around, and it’s all thanks to a sneaky little clue in the latest iOS 26 beta. The second developer beta, released on June 24, 2025, has gotten everyone buzzing after eagle-eyed users spotted a new version of Apple’s iconic clownfish wallpaper with a resolution that doesn’t match any current iPhone. Could this be a nod to the much-rumored ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air? Let’s dive into what’s got the tech world in a tizzy.
The clownfish wallpaper, a throwback to the original iPhone unveiled by Steve Jobs in 2007, showed up in iOS 26 beta 2 with a resolution of 1260 x 2736 pixels (420 x 912 points at 3x Retina scaling). Here’s the kicker: no iPhone on the market has that exact resolution. But wait—last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo dropped a bombshell, saying the iPhone 17 Air might rock a 6.6-inch display with a resolution around 1260 x 2740 pixels. That’s just four pixels off the wallpaper’s specs, making it hard to call this a coincidence. As reported by Digit on June 24, 2025, this quirky wallpaper might just be Apple’s way of winking at the iPhone 17 Air’s existence.
So, what’s the deal with the iPhone 17 Air? Rumors have been swirling that it’s set to replace the iPhone 17 Plus in the 2025 lineup, bringing a super-thin design, possibly just 5.5mm thick. The display size is said to sit between the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, offering a mid-sized premium option. Leaks also suggest it could be the first non-Pro iPhone to boast a 120Hz ProMotion display, making scrolling and animations buttery smooth. Apple hasn’t officially spilled the beans, but with iOS 26 expected to launch alongside the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, this wallpaper feels like a breadcrumb leading straight to the Air.
The iOS 26 beta isn’t just about wallpapers, though. It’s packing a sleek new Liquid Glass design, AI-powered tricks like real-time call translation, and updates to apps like Messages and Apple Maps. But the clownfish clue has stolen the spotlight, fueling speculation that Apple’s prepping something big. The iPhone 17 lineup, including the base model, Pro, Pro Max, and the rumored Air, is expected to drop at Apple’s usual September event, and this beta hint has fans counting down the days.
Could this be a fluke? Maybe. But with the wallpaper’s resolution so close to Kuo’s predictions, it’s got everyone wondering if Apple just let the cat out of the bag. For now, we’re left to speculate until Apple’s big reveal. One thing’s for sure—the iPhone 17 Air, with its slim vibes and fancy display, is shaping up to be a showstopper. Keep your eyes peeled for more beta clues as we inch closer to September!
Source: Digit