Welcome to the most comprehensive hub for everything iPhone 17 out there!
I realize the iPhone 17 unveiling is a year ahead in time, but if you get the picture clear enough months ahead, you’ll be able to make an informed decision, like:
Should I wait for the iPhone 17, or just get the iPhone 16? Or, in contrast, should I just switch to Android, because the iPhone 17 line is not that great?
In essence, apart from discussing what the tech world holds for tomorrow (something that’s always fun to do), I want to save you some hard-earned money. Enough with the motivational speech part, though.
The iPhone 17 could easily turn out to be the most important series of Apple phones in a long time.
With the iPhone 17, we are supposed to get a whole galaxy of cutting-edge technology, neat features, and excellent Apple experience.
Don’t tell me you’re not at least a bit thrilled by the idea of using a mind-blowing 2nm chipset in the iPhone 17: for reference, the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (found in extremely capable phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra) is a 4nm one. The lower the “nm” number, the better overall experience!
Or, if you desire beautiful, sleek phones above all, I can’t imagine you’ll pass by the possible iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air without taking a second to check it out. It’s going to be super-thin and elegant.
Next year, we’re about to witness how Apple ditches the Plus model and instead replaces it with the aforementioned ultra-thin smartphone that’s going to get one of the three following monikers:
- iPhone 17 Slim
- iPhone 17 Ultra
- iPhone 17 Air
Whatever the name, the discussed device could be as thin as ~5mm, which is pretty respectable.
Overall, the iPhone 17 models should get pretty thin bezels, bright and big displays, and exciting enough haptics to make a street cat purr.
Apple’s 2025 phones should arrive with pretty respectable cameras (especially for video), with a hardware/software update here and there, and the obligatory periscope cameras (for the Pro models).
That’s why the iPhone 17 camera setup is among the most important specs of the phone itself.
This is great news, because an enhanced selfie snapper will make the iPhone 17 even more appealing to those who love taking photos of themselves.
The thing I’m most curious about is what software goodies will enhance the iPhone 17‘s cameras. Will it rely heavily on AI? My bet is: oh, yes.
Of course, iOS 19 is reserved for the iPhone 17. This means big time AI.
For real, this time.
Scroll down and find out!
Apple’s current iPhone 16, as intriguing as it may seem right now, may not be everyone’s weapon of choice.
So, if for whatever reason you feel like it just doesn’t quite cut it for you – and there isn’t a shortage of reasons to think so – you’re looking at the iPhone 17. Be sure to bookmark this page. We’ll update it regularly with credible leaks, rumors and insider information that will roll out (first) gradually (then suddenly) in the months to come.
Let’s head off to 2025 and see what it’ll bring in terms of iPhone goodness!
iPhone 17 series release date
Given that it’s only 2024, predicting things that are a year away is kind of hard; not that it should stop us from thinking logically.
This is the type of prediction that even Nostradamus couldn’t make with a 100% success rate – not because he sucks at predictions, but because it’s actually impossible to pin a precise date for the arrival of the iPhone 17 in the context of the ever-changing tech industry.
As always, the official unveiling will be followed by a short period of pre-ordering madness; after these (give or take) 10 days, the iPhone 17 devices will hit the shelves.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 series |
September, 2025* | September, 2025* |
| Apple iPhone 16 series | 9 September, 2024 | 20 September, 2024 |
| Apple iPhone 15 series | Sept 12, 2023 | Sept 22, 2023 |
| Apple iPhone 14 series | Sept 7, 2022 | Sept 16, 2022 |
I know that 2025 seems way too ahead in time. However, time flies and you’ll have your hands all over the iPhone 17 faster than you can say Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Let’s speculate even harder!
iPhone 17 series price
Ah, that sweet ABBA refrain: Money, Money, Money…!
The iPhone price is such a delicate topic. It’s every bit as important as the phone’s specs itself.
So far, some price hikes are expected to slam the iPhone 17 Pro, but that pales in comparison to the rumored cost of the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air.
Here, take a look:
| Apple iPhone model | Starting price, regardless of storage |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $799* |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $1,099* |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199* |
| iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air | $1,299* |
| iPhone 16 (and iPhone 15) | $799 |
| iPhone 16 Plus (and iPhone 15 Plus) | $899 |
| iPhone 16 Pro (and iPhone 15 Pro) | $999 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (and iPhone 15 Pro Max) | $1,199 |
* – anticipated prices
As you can see from the table above (it represents the most recent leaks on the matter), the iPhone 17 will start at $799.
This doesn’t sound that bad, but my gut feeling tells there could be a price hike.
The iPhone Pro could be priced at $1,099 and up – a notable jump from the $999 price tag of the 16 Pro and the 15 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely keep the current starting price of $1,199.
This, however, won’t matter a bit to people who will fall in love with the 17 Slim/Ultra/Air, if it materializes in 2025.
There isn’t a shortage of people who are obsessed with the way things are on the outside, not inside. It’s like those who buy a Ferrari and complain that it can’t fit a bandsaw and a dead deer the way a Ford F-150 can: I mean, nobody complains about that.
Besides, there is this distinct group of buyers who want to pay premium just to go and then brag about it.
iPhone 17 deals to expect:
- Apple: I don’t expect the Cupertino giant to suddenly put the kibosh on its iPhone Upgrade program. This is how you can get a new iPhone every 12 months (with AppleCare+ coverage) by simply making 12 payments to Apple and trading in your existing iPhone for the next model. For example, prices historically have started at $39.50/mo for a 128 GB iPhone, $44.91/mo for a 128 GB iPhone Plus, $49.91/mo for an iPhone Pro, and $58.25 for a 256 GB iPhone Pro Max. You can either sign up online, in the Apple Store app, or in any Apple Store. This is neat.
- Verizon: If nothing changes drastically, the iPhone 17 Pro could be available with no upfront cost, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max might require just $200 upfront. The standard iPhone 17 model is anticipated to come with a similar deal, potentially available for free with select Unlimited plans and a trade-in of any phone, regardless of its condition, which is a great offer, hands down. The iPhone 17 Plus could be offered with up to $800 off when trading in an older iPhone, probably one from the 13 or 14 series.
- T-Mobile: Similarly, T-Mobile is expected to offer the iPhone 17 Pro probably for free – but with an eligible plan and qualifying trade-in. Customers may also receive discounts in the $600-$700 off any iPhone 17 model when choosing the Magenta MAX plan, if that’s a thing in 2025. Additionally, given that the telco’s strategy doesn’t change, a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal could allow you to get up to $700 off a second iPhone 17 when adding a line to almost any T-Mobile plan.
- AT&T: AT&T is likely to offer a range of attractive deals for the iPhone 17. Similar to previous offers, the standard iPhone 17 could be free when paired with an eligible AT&T plan and a trade-in of a phone in any condition. The iPhone 17 Pro may also be available at no upfront cost with a trade-in and eligible plan. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Plus might be discounted by up to $800 when paired with a plan and the trade-in of an older (but not very old) iPhone .
Keep in mind that it’s all predictions and wishful thinking at this point, so these offers might or might not materialize.
iPhone 17
Camera
When it comes to mobile photography, I’m on team Android (don’t assume that equates to a Samsung Galaxy, though!). However, I can’t bend the truth and deny that iPhones take amazing photos – most of all, I like the consistency of the iPhone-made photos.
- What to expect: 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 24MP selfie
Why I won’t be surprised if the iPhone 17 camera setup is the one from its predecessor.
What does that mean? Well, a 48MP main snapper, a 12MP ultra-wide unit and a 12MP selfie camera on the front – it’s just that the ultra-wide camera landed on the 16 and 16 Plus upgraded with a faster f/2.2 aperture and with autofocus capabilities for macro mode.
However, the fact that I won’t be surprised, doesn’t mean that the iPhone 17‘s cameras should stay the same. 12MP for the ultra-wide in 2025 is a downright violation of any moral codes of the tech industry, if they even exist. So, I’m waiting for the rumors to pour in.
Also, I won’t scoff at a new sensor for the main camera. A bigger one, I mean. It’s cool to capture 2X zoom photos by simply cropping in the camera sensor, so a bigger sensor will be a major benefit for the vanilla iPhone 17. That’s what the iPhone 16/16 Plus offer: a 2X toggle that will use sensor cropping to deliver lossless zoom. The digital zoom goes up to 10x, if you’re taking shots of objects in the distance.
Of course, there’s no reason to expect that the iPhone 17 will go back to the diagonal alignment of its rear cameras, found on the 14 and 15 series. As you’ve probably seen already, the iPhone 16 ditched it and replaced it with a vertical layout.
Storage
Keep in mind that the figures above could change in time. Apple might ditch the 128 GB version for the vanilla iPhone 17 and we could jump straight to 256 GB
Also, there’s another reason for the 128 GB starting storage point to be finally got rid of in 2025. It’s because of the power- and storage-hungry AI.
Design
I expect the iPhone 17 to be virtually indistinguishable from every other “standard” iPhone from the last years. It’s going to be stylish and it will pack some extra buttons on its sides, if the iPhone 16 passes its legacy onto it.
When it comes to the iPhone lineup, I’ve learned not to expect major changes – and with every year that passes, Apple just proves me right. I don’t expect even minor changes in its general look.
Sorry, but a new button here or there (yes, I’m talking about the otherwise highly practical Action button) is not what I have in mind when I think of “a design change”.
– Hi, is this Apple? Yeah, well, can I have a design change for the next iPhone?
– So, you want a new button on your iPhone?
– No, thanks.
– How about a new button?
– But I’ve got the Action button already; please stop.
– How would you like a… Capture button?
– Oh, dear.
Truth to be told, the Camera Control button that landed on the iPhone 16 devices is a nice touch – that’s just me and my mobile photography obsession speaking, though.
The Camera Control button that debuted on the iPhone 16 series does more than just the usual “click”. Just as rumors foretold, it offers also zoom and focus controls. Sources were right to tell this button is not just a standard mechanical one; it’s touch-sensitive as well. Users will be able to swipe to adjust zoom levels, with a half-press focusing the shot.
While a light press handles focusing and brings up several dedicated-camera-like functionalities, a firm press would capture the image or start recording.
Additionally, users might be able to swipe left or right on the button to zoom in or out. Unlike many smartphones that use volume keys for zooming, Apple’s approach could allow users to keep their finger on the Capture button, potentially enhancing convenience.
My guess is that the Capture button will find its way to the 17 series.
However, the iPhone 17 might have less buttons overall, compared to its predecessor.
That’s thanks to the so-called BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology to minimize the display bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro Max arrives with ultra-thin 1.15mm bezels: now that’s impressive!
Reducing the size of the top and side bezels is more or less easily achievable, but the bottom bezel surely got some Apple engineers to scratch their heads longer than what’s generally accepted. That’s because the bottom bezel poses a challenge due to heat generation issues. The new BRS technology seems to address this by allowing the bottom bezel to be as thin as possible. It achieves this by rolling the copper wires at the bottom upward.
As far as colors go, nothing is certain so far. If we use the current iPhone 16 hue palette, this means that the 17 might come in:
- Black
- White
- Pink
- Teal
- Ultramarine
Display
It’s all fun and games, but if Apple releases a premium phone in 2025 with a 60Hz refresh rate screen, things could spiral out of control. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating here and people won’t revolt and loot on the streets because of their phone’s display, but a 120Hz refresh rate is due already.
We’ll also most likely see improved durability, because Apple introduced a 2nd-gen Ceramic Shield for the iPhone 17‘s predecessor.
Apart from that, the vanilla iPhone 17 will probably grow slightly in size with its rumored 6.27-inch display. On the 15 series, it was a 6.12-inch one (as on the iPhone 16).
However, if 90Hz and 120Hz don’t arrive for the vanilla iPhone 17, it would be a tech tragedy.
Battery
We’re still strictly in the rumors’ territory; nothing is off (and on) the table, so we can speculate a bit.
Truth to be spoken, I don’t expect Apple to drastically raise the mAh numbers on the iPhone 17 models. A minimal boost here and there, but nothing to write home about.
My own personal prediction is that the iPhone 17 will come with a ~3,600 mAh capacity battery.
In 2023, Apple surprised everyone by revealing the iPhone 15‘s battery performance was better than predicted. Initially, they said it would keep 80% of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles, but later improved that estimate across the entire iPhone family. Sure, it doesn’t match the blazing 210W charging speeds seen in Chinese phones like vivo or Xiaomi, but it’s got some tricks worth mentioning.
Since 2023, the battery utilizes a “stacked” method, borrowing from the way electric vehicle batteries are made. It’s more uniform and stable compared to the older “winding” method, which takes up more space. Though winding batteries are cheaper and more durable, stacked batteries provide better energy density and stability, which helps in delivering longer battery life.
Hardware
What to expect:
- CPU: Apple A19 chip
- RAM: 8 GB
- Battery: ~3,600mAh
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera setup: 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 24MP selfie
Cameras, batteries, storage, and RAM figures are delightful topics to chit-chat about, but what do we talk about, when we talk about an upcoming iPhone?
Chipsets, also known as SoCs, are crucial – they’re essentially the heart (and brain) of your phone.
A System-on-Chip (SoC) integrates most or all components of a computer or electronic system onto a single chip. It typically includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory interfaces (for RAM and ROM), input/output interfaces, and often additional features like a graphics processing unit (GPU), communications modules (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), and more.
So, given that Apple’s A18 chip lands on the iPhone 16 series (the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max received the boosted A18 Pro model), we could get A19 and A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.
Now, the big question is: what is the A19 going to be like? Will it be a 3nm SoC – like the A17 Pro and the A18/18 Pro – or will it be a 2nm SoC?
OK, let’s TTT – talk things through.
In the realm of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology for mobile phones, “nm” (nanometer) denotes the size of components like transistors on the chip. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter, underscoring the minuscule scale of these elements. Smaller nanometer technology enables more chips by allowing more transistors to fit into a compact space. Basically, the smaller the “nm” number of a SoC, the more power efficient and powerful your phone gets.
It was almost exactly a year ago, when we first heard of the A19 chip for the iPhone 17 – back then, the information had it that this could be the first 2nm SoC for a mass-produced phone. This sounded great at the time (and still does), as you can imagine. Apple’s plans to build a 2nm SoC came two months before the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was officially launched at the end of October 2023!
However, in mid-April 2024, there came a cold shower of rumors that claimed Apple won’t make it to the 2nm level for the iPhone 17 and the A19 chip. In September 2024, the same thing was stated again:
If Apple doesn’t manage to squeeze out a 2nm chip for the iPhone 17 lineup, this will mean that Samsung and its Galaxy S26 Ultra (expected in the very beginning of 2026) will be the first phone with a 2nm chip inside.
However, that’s not an easy job to do for Samsung, given that the Galaxy S24 Ultra utilized a 4nm chip and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to pack a 3nm chip. Jumping down (up, really) the nm figures on consecutive years might be a challenge for the engineers…
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Camera
Don’t expect to pick up the iPhone Pro and start shooting like world-famous photographers Herb Ritts or Richard Avedon, just because your phone has a Pro stamp on it, though.
Having better camera hardware (larger sensors, more megapixels, better lenses) is not to be neglected. After all, you’re paying top dollar for the Pro and Pro Max!
- What to expect: 48MP main, 48MP, Ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (5x), 24MP selfie
If the stars align, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will get what the iPhone 16 Pro didn’t – a custom 48MP IMX903 sensor for the main camera, larger than the previous in size (1/1.14″ vs 1/1.28″). It’s a pity the 2024 iPhone didn’t get it, as bigger sensors are preferable because they gather light easier and render the background better (as in: the separation between the subject and the background is more pronounced).
Also, the new sensor for the main camera will potentially feature a stacked design, 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for lossless image quality, and Digital Gain Control for improved dynamic range and reduced noise. This should make it to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
The new 48MP ultra-wide camera (0.7µm pixel size and a 1/2.6″ sensor) that arrived on the iPhone 16 Pros should also be transferred to the iPhone 17 Pros. This camera is a significant upgrade from the 12MP ultra-wide camera used previously. Thank you, Apple.
However, the best thing about the iPhone 17 Pro is what made the 16 Pro great – the tetraprism telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’m pretty sure it will find its way to the standard-sized iPhone 17 Pro, as well.
Finally, the ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) anti-glare coating (suggested for the iPhone 16 Pro cameras) should also be found on the iPhone 17 Pro duo. The ALD coating is great for reducing lens flare, enhancing night photography.
Ever wondered why your photo is suddenly full of odd, artificial lights when you try to take a shot of a street lamp at night, for example? It’s precisely because of poor lens coating.
Storage
Again, nothing is confirmed at this moment, so the numbers could change. For example, there might not be a 2TB model in the iPhone 17 Pro duo. The iPhone 16 Pro does not offer it.
Design
While I expect nothing nothing new of the “vanilla” iPhone 17, I dream about a new, bold, and radical iPhone 17 Pro. However, my dreams are so far pretty far from materializing – there are no leaks, rumors, and claims that suggest Apple will make the iPhone 17 Pro duo different on the outside. As I said, at this point I’m willing to accept even a ugly iPhone 17, as long as it is new and not in the same friggin’ design that’s been causing me to question my own sanity.
Is time a flat circle? Are we stuck in a never-ending loop? If not, then why does Apple release the same smartphone every twelve months?
I’m sure we’ll get lots of goodies with the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, be it a sturdy titanium frame, or the improved Ceramic Shield that Apple claims makes the 16 Pro 2 times more durable against drops. The IP68 water and dust protection rating is not yet confirmed, but I expect it nevertheless on the iPhone 17 Pro duo.
One more thing: is the Camera Control button, placed below the power key. Some have mixed feelings about it. As a shutter button to quickly start the camera, it’s a nice little convenience, but some report that it’s not that easy operating it.
The color options for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max aro also not up for discussion at the moment, but one could argue that Apple won’t suddenly make a neon violet Pro phone; instead, we could get these Professional (and a bit mundane) hues – it’s what the iPhone 17’s Pro predecessors came in:
- Black Titanium
- White Titanium
- Natural Titanium
- Desert Titanium
Display
My guess is that the bigger 6.27-inch display for the (16 Pro) and the 6.86-inch display (for the 16 Pro Max) will be reused on the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. This is a notable departure from the 6.12-inch display of the 15 Pro and the 6.69-inch display of the 15 Pro Max.
The big questions remains: will Apple grace the iPhone 17 Pro with a fancy anti-reflective coating (like the Galaxy S24 Ultra)?
Its predecessor didn’t get it, so maybe 2025 is the year! We’re also kind of expecting upgrades with the Dynamic Island and the Face ID hideout that was unchanged in 2024.
Battery
Rumorsville is quiet about the iPhone 17 Pro and the 17 Pro Max battery capacity. But I expect them to arrive with a ~3,700 mAh and ~4,700 mAh capacity, respectively.
Back in 2023, Apple announced that the battery performance of the iPhone 15 models has exceeded initial expectations. Originally, it was estimated that the battery would retain 80% of its original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. However, Apple revised its estimates for the entire iPhone 15 lineup.
The stacked battery method creates a more uniform and stable internal structure, which can potentially enhance the battery’s energy density and stability.
The winding battery (also known as wound or spiral-wound battery) method involves folding battery materials into a cylindrical or prismatic shape. Wound batteries are typically easier and less expensive to produce at scale and are known for their robustness and good mechanical stability. However, they may have slightly lower energy density due to the space taken up by the winding process.
In summary, the advantages of stacked batteries include:
- Potentially higher energy density due to more efficient use of space.
- Improved temperature regulation thanks to their uniform internal structure.
Or, perhaps, Apple could head in a different direction with the iPhone 17? Like using something similar to the Honor Magic 6 Pro’s stunning battery life that involves silicon-carbon battery.
Hardware
What to expect on the iPhone 17 Pro:
- CPU: Apple A19 Pro chip
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: ~3,600mAh
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Camera setup: 48MP main, 48MP, Ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (5x), 24MP selfie
What to expect on the iPhone 17 Pro Max:
- CPU: Apple A19 Pro chip
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: ~4,700mAh
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Camera setup: 48MP main, 48MP, Ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (5x), 24MP selfie
Keep an eye for further details. I am once again (shamelessly) asking for your comradery; do bookmark this page and make sure to come back to it in the coming weeks and months, as there’ll be so much more to learn about the upcoming iPhone 17.
iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air
Camera
Are ready to pay the highest-ever price for an iPhone that’s got only a single camera on its back?
- What to expect: 48MP main, 24MP selfie
That’s not a typo. For the time being, the rumors have it that the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air will come with a single camera on its back with a 48MP sensor. According to prominent Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo the Cupertino giant will skip the ultra-wide and telephoto units.
On the front, the newcomer in the iPhone 17 family will pack the same 24MP selfie camera.
Traditional smartphone cameras usually have a fixed aperture, limiting control over light exposure. This can result in overexposed or underexposed images in varying lighting conditions.
A variable aperture allows photographers to adjust the lens opening based on the environment. In bright light, a smaller aperture can prevent overexposure, while in low light, a larger aperture can capture more detail and reduce noise. This adaptability ensures consistently better photos in different lighting.
Additionally, variable apertures offer creative flexibility. Users can adjust the aperture to control depth of field—larger apertures create a shallow depth of field for portrait shots with blurred backgrounds, while smaller apertures increase depth of field, keeping landscapes sharp.
The ability to change aperture also enables artistic experimentation. Photographers can achieve effects like starbursts with smaller apertures or soft, dreamy backgrounds with larger ones, bringing a level of creative control to mobile photography that was once exclusive to advanced cameras like DSLRs or mirrorless models.
Storage
What to expect:
I’m making the prediction that 128 GB won’t be available as a storage option for the super-duper fancy iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air. That’s because 128 GB is not classy enough for a phone with the potential price tag of $1,299.
However, I’m also a bit skeptical about the 1 TB option for this wasp-waisted handset. Maybe 512 GB is the sweet spot?
Design
As the name suggests, this iPhone should be slim (but not shady).
My personal view is that if Apple is able to make the iPad Pro M4 (2024) to be 5.1mm thin – amazing! – it should be able to do the same with the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, for reference, measures 8.25mm. So, even if the iPhone 17 Pro Max gets all fit and lean down to around 7mm, the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air should still be noticeably thinner at ~5mm.
I don’t think Apple can afford to make the Slim/Ultra/Air any thicker than 5mm.
Why? Well, because there are already foldables at our disposal that are 5mm thin – and below! For example, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 5.1mm when unfolded.
Not to mention the Honor Magic V3 – an absolute miracle of a foldable that’s claimed to be the thinnest of them all, measuring just 4.35mm when unfolded.
So, come the Fall of 2025, if I feel the sudden urge to get an incredibly thin phone and I see that Apple releases the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air that’s more than 5mm thick, I simply won’t buy it. Not at the rumored $1,299 price tag.
Instead, I’ll just get one of the aforementioned foldables (on a deal, hehe) – this is how I’ll rock a truly thin phone and I’ll enjoy a huge display.
I think that the iPhone 17 Slim/Ultra/Air will come in a few exclusive color options – this is how the premium model gets even more special!
Display
The $1,299 iPhone should be a balm for sore eyes when looked upon. Is that going to be the case?
Well…
Be it as it may, let’s hope this will change in the coming year.
However, it’s going to arrive with a 120Hz refresh rate, right?
Right?
Battery
At the end of the day, the big mAh numbers are great and all, but if the phone’s software and hardware are not optimized correctly, nasty power drainages could occur. It’s interesting to see what battery tech Apple is going to implement for its 2025 phones.
So far, Apple’s secret star hasn’t disclosed its alleged battery capacity – not even in rumors.
Hardware
What to expect:
- CPU: Apple A19 chip
- RAM: 8 GB
- Battery: ~4,000mAh
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera setup: Single main 48MP unit, 24MP selfie
On the outside, the upcoming novel Apple handset should be glorious. On the inside, however, not so much. In fact, it could come with some rather dull specs.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo provided further insights, confirming a 6.6-inch display with a 1260 x 2740 resolution and a titanium-aluminum alloy frame. The iPhone 17 Slim will be the second iPhone, after the SE 4, to feature Apple’s in-house 5G modem chip, replacing Qualcomm’s. Kuo emphasized that Apple is banking on the iPhone 17 Slim’s design, not hardware specs, to attract buyers. With a high price and minimal hardware upgrades, Apple is focusing on the phone’s innovative form factor rather than specs to appeal to consumers.
iPhone 17 series features and software
- It will run on iOS 19 and the hopes are high;
- Apple Intelligence will be in full bloom for the iPhone 17;
OK, joking aside, but even Apple fans and insiders have been repeating for almost a year now that Apple is “way behind” the competition in the AI race.
Yes, during the June 2024 WWDC, Apple did present iOS 18 and promised to heavily emphasize AI for the iPhone. In what’s best described as a typical Apple move, the Cupertino giant announced its Apple Intelligence (yeah, that’s the humble term they’re using for their upcoming set of artificial intelligence features) to be available for only a handful of iPhones.
These are:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 series
They didn’t mention the 2025 iPhone 17 series back when they announced the AI-focused iOS 18, but I’m sure they won’t ditch their project just like that.
What’s more, I think that Apple’s Apple Intelligence feature pack will bloom with the iPhone 17 series, not with the iPhone 16.
Why? Well, because we won’t even get to see the whole Apple Intelligence magic despit the iPhone 16’s official unveiling.
Recent rumors indicate that Apple is gearing up to introduce Apple Intelligence through a series of software updates, with the initial release potentially arriving in the Fall of 2024, following the launch of the iPhone 16 series and the official release of iOS 18. However, the Apple Intelligence updates are expected to roll out gradually, extending into the first half of 2025.
By 2025, the revamped Siri, equipped with its new features, is anticipated to be publicly available as part of the upcoming iOS 18.4 release, which is currently under development.
The new, enhanced Siri will be experienced only on devices equipped with the A17 Pro chip or newer. This updated Siri will be able to execute complex, multi-step commands within your apps.
How generous of Apple to let only iPhone 15 Pro (and above) users to meet the new Siri.
Meanwhile, the Oppo competitor is taking a slightly different approach:
iOS 19: what to expect?
With iOS 18, we’re about to get some new features that include free-form app icon placement, deep app icon customization (allowing for resizing icons and adding a colorful tint), customizable lock screen shortcuts, and a redesigned Control Center.
With iOS 19, these areas could receive a further boost and users could get even more control over the way the iPhone looks.
iOS 18 will also enable you to hide apps and lock them using Face ID, a feature that works across both stock and third-party apps, so I don’t expect changes for the worse on the security front.
However, the Photos app that we saw was completely revamped in iOS 18 (a new customizable interface), could see further improvements based on what feedback iOS 18 users send to Apple in the coming six to eight months.
The big question mark is the software support period. Allegedly, the iPhone 16 lineup will receive at least five major yearly software updates, with the potential for even longer support, possibly extending to the end of the decade and beyond.
Will Apple join the ranks of Google and Samsung and offer seven years of updates and support? For me, it’s not out of the question and I won’t be surprised if they do so.
Should I wait for the iPhone 17 series?
- You should wait for the iPhone 17 if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem and you can’t stand the idea of using a phone for more than a year. If you’re after a phone with a 2nm chip – if Apple manages to get it ready for 2025, though – 17 is your lucky number. If you want to see Apple Intelligence in full swing – you guessed it – the iPhone 17 is the one for you. If you’re using iPhone 14 or older, I think the 17 might be the correct model for you.
- You should not wait for the iPhone 17 if you’re a die-hard Android fan (that was obvious). Seriously, it’s only 2024: don’t disregard the iPhone 17 yet. In the following months, the lineup will start to shape itself out, so it’s only then that you’ll be able to make such a decision.
