Fact Checked by 
We may have only just been introduced to the Apple iPhone 16 but already folk are anticipating the iPhone 17.
That’s because there are several significant changes expected with the iPhone 17.
So, here’s what we know so far…
iPhone 17: What we know so far and rumors
Design
The iPhone 15 was the subject of Apple’s most recent design changes to its iPhone range, with a matte glass back using color infusion technology and a new Titanium chassis. That’s expected to remain for the iPhone 16 later this year.
However, there aren’t currently any indications that Apple is planning anything significant in the way of design changes for the iPhone 17.
Models
One of the biggest things to look forward to with the iPhone 17 is the introduction of a new model to Apple’s usual four-model line-up for every release. We saw with the iPhone 14 that Apple scrapped the ‘mini’ and introduced the ‘Plus’, which had a larger 6.7-inch display.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has hinted that a new iPhone Ultra could ultimately replace the ‘Pro Max’ model, while Ming-Chi Kuo once referred to the iPhone 15 Pro Max as the iPhone 15 Ultra before it was released.
Meanwhile, Gurman has also insinuated that an Ultra model could be introduced as “something even higher end” than the Pro Max.
As a result, there is an expectation that, sooner or later, Apple will go with an Ultra model in the future. It wasn’t included in the iPhone 15 lineup up and while there are rumors there could be an iPhone 16 Ultra, it might be more realistic to expect to see it in the iPhone 17 lineup.
After all, it certainly makes sense. Apple already has the Apple Watch Ultra, so bringing synchronizing names across multiple devices seems like a natural step to take.
Elsewhere, there are some 9to5Mac reports that Apple could introduce an iPhone 17 Slim. If that’s the case and the Ultra does also make its debut, then we might be looking at a six-model series for the first ever time.
Display
In terms of display technology, the biggest rumor on the grapevine is that iPhone 17 is the introduction of a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display to every model in the line-up. LTPO is the technology that powers OLED displays in Apple’s premium Watches and iPhones, but now it could be extended to all models.
Earlier in 2024, reliable Korean news site, The Elec, claimed all of Apple’s iPhone 17 models would include Apple’s Always-On Display and a 120Hz Pro Motion refresh rate. This has been reported by several other outlets, so there seems to be a lot of truth in the reports.
Hardware
As reported by DIGITIMES, Apple will be first in line to receive chips made using the 2nm process. The iPhone 16 will be powered by the all-new A18 chips that were built using 3nm.
But it’s believed the iPhone 17 will boast a more powerful, compact and dense A19 chip that estimates suggest will add 10-15% to overall performance and a 25-30% reduction in power consumption.
Camera
We’re used to seeing the three-lens camera set-up on iPhones, with the main camera, Ultra Wide and Telephoto lens becoming staples on iPhone models.
According to industry analyst Jeff Pu (via @TheAppleHub), plans are in place to do the same with the telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which would mean all three cameras would then be capable of shooting in 48MP ProRaw format.
Meanwhile, in January 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo said there were plans to significantly upgrade the iPhone 17’s front facing camera lens, which could see a boost from 12MP to 24MP. Fantastic news if you love taking selfies, even more so if you spend a lot of time on video calls.
The iPhone 17 lineup will reportedly feature an updated design with a new “Slim” model, smaller Dynamic Island on Pro Max model, 24MP front camera, and more
Source: analyst Jeff Pu pic.twitter.com/yLXxhlSfrj
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) May 6, 2024
Specs
The aforementioned upgrade to the front-facing camera could also help power Face ID under the display.
According to Ross Young’s Apple release roadmap, “under panel Face ID” could be introduced to the iPhone 17 lineup, which will certainly aid the previously mentioned design changes to the Dynamic Island.
It’s believed Apple is working on its own WiFi chips to reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers, but it’s said to be quite ambitious to expect that to be ready in time for the iPhone 17.
The iPhone 16 is thought to feature WiFi 6E, which is the same as the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro, therefore, is expected to get WiFi 7. That means we might see WiFi 7 in the entire iPhone 17 series.
What is the expected iPhone 17 release date?
We know by now that Apple’s release schedule is almost sacrosanct.
With the iPhone 16 series expected to launch in September 2024, it means we should expect to see the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and there’s no reason to suggest Apple will change the way they do things. – though at time of writing there remains no official confirmation.
Featured Image: Photo by Sophia Stark on Unsplash
