iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Latest Insights and Updates
The iPhone 17 and a higher-end Pro model are expected to arrive some time in September 2025, with some big changes rumored for this year’s lineup. As always, you should take these rumors with a pinch of salt until Apple’s big event.
A New Slim iPhone Model
Next year’s iPhone lineup could feature a brand new slim model dubbed the iPhone 17 Air, according to analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo suggests that the new model will feature a 6.6-inch display and use titanium in its frame. The rumor claims that the “Air” will feature a single wide-angle camera and no “Pro” chip. This suggests it’s not designed to compete with the iPhone 17 Pro as some sort of “Ultra” iPhone.
Instead, the “Air” looks set to be a lifestyle device that puts form over function, with The Information suggesting that the device could be priced even higher than the iPhone 17 Pro Max despite its pared-back hardware. 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.
No More Plus Model
Despite rumors of a new iPhone model launching in 2025, the lineup could still be limited to just four devices if Ming-Chi Kuo’s report is to be believed. The analyst predicts that there will be no iPhone 17 Plus, due to the fact that the bumper-sized base models only account for 5-10% of sales. These numbers are backed up by a Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) report that suggested that the iPhone 15 Plus made up for only 9% of sales in the first quarter of 2024.
If you like a larger iPhone but aren’t prepared to shell out for the high-end iPhone Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus might be your last chance to grab a large iPhone at a reasonable price. We’ve seen this before when Apple ceased production of smaller iPhones after the iPhone 13 mini.
120Hz Always-On Displays on All Models
According to a post by the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, Ross Young, 2025 is the year that we’ll finally see 120Hz always-on displays in the base model iPhone 17. The change is long overdue, with many iPhone rivals (like Google’s Pixel 9) having 120Hz refresh rates already. Samsung even equips its iPhone 16-comparable Galaxy S24 with an always-on display that matches that of Apple’s more expensive Pro model.
Tougher Anti-Reflective Displays
All iPhone 16 models saw an upgrade to the Ceramic Shield, Apple’s proprietary tough display glass, which the company claims is “tougher than any smartphone glass.” A Weibo leaker, Instant Digital, predicts that even tougher display glass will be used in future models. The same rumor suggests that the glass will be more resistant to reflections, making it easier to use in bright direct lighting.
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,” great news if you love shooting selfies and vertical video. Since the iPhone 17 Pro was specifically mentioned, it’s likely that the more expensive model would get the same upgrade.
Faster Chips, More RAM
MacRumors reports that a “reputable” source claims the new chips won’t use a more efficient 2-nanometer process since these chips won’t be mass-produced until the end of 2025. However, we can likely expect an A19 and A19 Pro processor, particularly with Apple’s renewed focus on in-device machine learning with the introduction of Apple Intelligence. Analyst Jeff Pu suggests that we’ll see 12GB of RAM in the iPhone 17 Pro. All iPhone 16 models have 8GB of RAM, and the iPhone 17 and slim model are expected to follow suit.
Apple-Designed Wi-Fi and 5G Chips
MacRumors reported in December 2023 that the iPhone 17 Pro would feature an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip. A newer report from DigiTimes in September 2024 suggests that 2025’s iPad lineup will also see the in-house Wi-Fi chip, which supports the idea that the iPhone 17 (or at least the Pro models) could have the same technology. The same report suggests Apple’s in-house 5G chip will appear in 2025 iPhone models, starting with the long-awaited iPhone SE refresh.
A 48MP Telephoto Lens (iPhone 17 Pro)
Analyst Jeff Pu also suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would see a new 48MP telephoto lens, bringing the telephoto in line with the wide and ultra-wide cameras, vastly improving image quality and versatility for digital zoom. It would be great to see this feature in the iPhone 17 Pro as well.
Though it can be tempting to use these rumors to decide whether to upgrade, remember that these are still unconfirmed reports. Some features could slip entirely, or we may be surprised by new additions.