iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro:What We Currently Know
A higher-end Pro model and the iPhone 17 are anticipated to launch in September 2025, and there have been some significant rumours regarding this year’s lineup. As usual, until Apple’s major event, you should treat these rumours with a grain of salt.
iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro:What We Currently Know
A New Slim iPhone Model
Analysts Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) and Ming-Chi Kuo speculate that a brand-new, slim model called the iPhone 17 Air may be part of the iPhone lineup next year.
According to Kuo, the upcoming model will include a 6.6-inch display and a titanium frame. There will only be one wide-angle camera on the “Air,” according to the rumour, and no “Pro” chip. This implies that it isn’t intended to be a “Ultra” iPhone meant to compete with the iPhone 17 Pro.
Rather, the “Air” appears to be a lifestyle gadget that prioritises style above functionality. The Information speculates that, in spite of its simpler design, the “Air” may cost even more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
This could suggest that Apple is hoping to appeal to a new market segment that’s happy to shell out for a pricey iPhone in a new form factor that prioritizes aesthetics over raw performance.
X (formerly Twitter) account Apple Hub mocked up an image of what a slimmer model could look like (above).
No More Plus Model
If Ming-Chi Kuo’s estimate is accurate, the iPhone lineup may remain consist of just four smartphones despite rumours of a new model arriving in 2025. Since the base models with larger bumpers only make up 5–10% of sales, the expert expects that there won’t be an iPhone 17 Plus.
These figures are supported by a Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) research that, according to MacRumors, indicated that just 9% of sales in the first quarter of 2024 were attributable to the iPhone 15 Plus.
Should you have a preference for a larger iPhone but are unable to afford the more expensive iPhone Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus may represent your final opportunity to purchase a huge iPhone at a fair cost. This is similar to what happened when Apple stopped making smaller iPhones with the release of the iPhone 13 mini.
Many owners of the iPhone 13 mini are asking what their upgrading options are now that the iPhone 13 is starting to show its age.
120Hz Always-On Displays on All Models
The CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, Ross Young, stated in a post on X (previously Twitter) that the base model iPhone 17 will eventually feature 120Hz always-on displays in 2025. Since several iPhone competitors already have 120Hz refresh rates (such as Google’s rival Pixel 9), the update has been long overdue.
Samsung even fitted the Galaxy S24, which is comparable to the iPhone 16, with an always-on display that is on par with Apple’s more costly Pro model.
The same source has already recanted its earlier claims that the iPhone 17 Pro would have under-display Face ID sensors (with a hole-punch-style cutout for the front-facing camera).
Tougher Anti-Reflective Displays
Apple upgraded the strong display glass used in all iPhone 16 models to the Ceramic Shield, a unique material that the company says is “tougher than any smartphone glass.”
It’s excellent news for durability that Weibo leaker Instant Digital says even more durable display glass would be utilised in next generations, according to MacRumors. According to the same rumour, the glass will be easier to use in bright direct illumination because it will be more resistant to reflections.
A 24MP Selfie Camera
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reports that the iPhone 17 will feature an upgraded 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP on the 2024 model. The report states that this “will significantly improve the image quality” which is great news if you love shooting selfies and vertical video.
Given that the iPhone 17 was addressed expressly, we may assume that the iPhone 17 Pro will receive the same upgrade, as it is improbable that the more costly device would be limited to a subpar camera. Should it happen, this enhancement is probably going to be incorporated into a new slim model as well.
The most predictable improvement might be a slight increase in total power from a new processor. According to MacRumors, since the new chips won’t be mass-produced until the end of 2025, a “reputable” source of information—Weibo user iPhone Chip Expert—claims the chips won’t use a more efficient 2-nanometer process.
In any case, an A19 and A19 Pro processor can definitely be included, especially considering Apple’s recent announcement of Apple Intelligence, which has refocused attention on in-device machine learning.
According to a related rumour from analyst Jeff Pu, which MacRumors also mentioned, the iPhone 17 Pro will have 12GB of RAM. EightGB of RAM is now standard on all iPhone 16 variants (up from sixGB on the iPhone 15), and it is anticipated that the iPhone 17 and its speculated thin model will do the same.
Apple-Designed Wi-Fi and 5G Chips
As early as December 2023, MacRumors claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro would use an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip, citing analyst Jeff Pu.
Around the same time, DigiTimes released a report stating that it was doubtful that the processor will be included in the standard iPhone 17.
The in-house Wi-Fi chip may also be included in the 2025 iPad lineup, according to a more recent DigiTimes article from September 2024. This supports the theory that the iPhone 17 (or at least the Pro variants) may feature the same technology. According to the same report, Apple’s proprietary 5G processor will make its debut in 2025 iPhone models, beginning with the eagerly anticipated iPhone SE redesign. This could imply that the 5G chip would be seen in even the entry-level iPhone 17.
Apple is probably taking this action to simplify manufacturing procedures and lessen its need on outside chip producers. Nevertheless, the idea of a brand-new router created by Apple is alluring and would undoubtedly become a huge hit.
A 48MP Telephoto Lens (iPhone 17 Pro)
Additionally, analyst Jeff Pu predicted that a new 48MP telephoto lens would be included in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This will greatly enhance image quality and versatility in terms of digital zoom, putting the telephoto in line with wide and ultra-wide cameras.
It would be great to see this come to the iPhone 17 Pro too, given that Apple has closed the gap on this year’s Pro models by finally bringing the 5X telephoto to both.
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