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12 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

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Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

If you plan to skip this year's iPhone 16, or if you're just plain curious about what's on the horizon, here are 12 rumored features that we are expecting to arrive in time for its successor, the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to be released in September 2025.

1. iPhone 17 "Air"
iPhone 17 Plus?
Apple plans to launch an all-new iPhone 17 model with a "significantly thinner" design, reports The Information. The device, which could be called "iPhone 17 Air," will allegedly feature a "major redesign" that could feature a single rear camera located at the top-center of the device, along with a narrower Dynamic Island, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, one rumor claims the ‌battery will be around 6mm thick, suggesting that the device itself will be thicker than this. Apple's thinnest ever iPhone was the ‌iPhone‌ 6 at 6.9mm, meaning that the ‌iPhone 17‌ "Air" may not be much thinner than the 2014 flagship. The device is rumored to have a 6.5-inch display size, and may replace the iPhone 17 Plus model, but this is unconfirmed. Other potential features include an aluminum chassis, an A19 chip, an Apple-designed 5G modem, and an improved front camera. See our iPhone 17 "Slim" rumor roundup for more.

2. New All-Aluminum Design
All iPhone 17 Models
Apple is reportedly planning to bring all its devices back to aluminum with the iPhone 17 lineup. The two flagship iPhone 17 Pro models will mark the return of aluminum frames to high-end iPhones for the first time since Apple began distinguishing between Pro and non-Pro models. In recent years, aluminum frames have been reserved for lower-end devices like the iPhone SE and iPhone 16, while premium models featured stainless steel frames until the iPhone 15 Pro, which introduced a titanium chassis as a major upgrade. This shift in materials for the iPhone 17 lineup signals a unified approach, with aluminum frames set to return across the entire device range.

3. Rectangular Camera Bump
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
The ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a "rectangular camera bump" made from aluminum instead of the traditional 3D glass. The bottom half will remain glass to enable wireless charging. While Apple has used a glass back since the ‌iPhone‌ 8 and ‌iPhone‌ X in 2017, earlier ‌iPhone‌ models—except the ‌iPhone‌ 3G, ‌iPhone‌ 3GS, and ‌iPhone‌ 5C—had aluminum rears. Additionally, the aluminum camera bump on the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro will reportedly be larger than in previous models, according to The Information.

4. New Display Sizes
iPhone 17 & iPhone 17 Plus
This year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max got bigger display sizes, going from 6.12- and 6.69-inches to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For 2025, Apple is also expected to bring the larger 6.27-inch display size to its standard ‌iPhone‌ model, while the equivalent "iPhone 17 Plus" model (provisionally called "iPhone 17 Air") could adopt completely new display dimensions.

5. 120Hz ProMotion (Always-on Display)
iPhone 17 & iPhone 17 Plus
Apple intends to expand ProMotion to all iPhone models in 2025, allowing all models to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary. Previously, only "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone lineup have had the feature. Notably, ProMotion would also enable the display on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 "Air" to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that can show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.

6. Apple-Designed Wi-Fi 7 Chip
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple's premium 2025 models are expected to be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 c... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 12 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/29/12-reasons-wait-for-iphone-17/
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Apple is reportedly planning to bring all its devices back to aluminum with the iPhone 17 lineup. The two flagship iPhone 17 Pro models will mark the return of aluminum frames to high-end iPhones for the first time since Apple began distinguishing between Pro and non-Pro models. In recent years, aluminum frames have been reserved for lower-end devices like the iPhone SE and iPhone 16, while premium models featured stainless steel frames until the iPhone 15 Pro, which introduced a titanium chassis as a major upgrade. This shift in materials for the iPhone 17 lineup signals a unified approach, with aluminum frames set to return across the entire device range.
Click to expand...

iPhone lineup needs focus and refinement.

The lines are blurred too much between what's pro and what's not pro. Give the consumer iPhone the features of the current pro (lose the name, and lose the camera button gimmick). Name it "iPhone" with no numbers or sub-names, pleasing mini, normi and maxi users by selling a great phone in three sizes.

Produce a distinct, low budged phone for people with less money who want iOS.

Make an iPhone Ultra that's totally standout from the current iPhones with a battery like 75% bigger, large and very large screen options, physical camera controls that stick out of the side of the phone like the dial and buttons on an Apple Watch Ultra, with the camera system of the premium iPhones, with the addition of a magnetic lens location where users can add on a magnetic lens from any of the traditional lensmakers who wish to offer them. Filmmakers and professional field photographers could swap lenses depending on the shot.

Budget users choose budget iPhone (SE/Air). Consumers with money choose premium iPhone. Pros in the field choose Ultra.
 
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lkrupp said:
Chill, it’s only a rumor, and a more than a year out rumor too.
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They are only treating us with incremental upgrades that are meaningless. Apple could have updated the telephoto and selfie cameras for years but didn’t just to have enough new "features" for later generations.
They are running out of ideas then have to resort to this artificial withholding
 
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simonsea said:
I’m hoping the 17 models will only come out when there is a really significant generational change & we get away from this “have to have a new model every September” circus we have now that the AI/16 shows is such a fiasco.
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The iPhone 16 is a fiasco? And you really dont get the point of annual iPhone upgrades. The iPhone 16 is not for people who just brought a 15 or even a 14. You shouldn’t even be thinking about upgrading your iPhone every 1-2 to years. The annual launches are for people who need to upgrade and can get the latest and greatest iPhone. I bought the iPhone 15pro and coming from iPhone X which I had for 6 years. I didn’t care that the 15 is “too similar to the 14” because I am coming from an X and it’s a massive upgrade over that.
 
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Hammerd said:
They are only treating us with incremental upgrades that are meaningless. Apple could have update the telephoto and selfie cameras for years but didn’t just to have enough new "features" for later generations.
They are running out of ideas then have to resort to this artificial withholding
Click to expand...
Why do you care about incremental upgrades after a year? You shouldn’t even be thinking about getting a new iPhone after a year or two. Imagine buying a 2023 Porsche 911 and then complaining the 2024 Porsche 911 looks basically the same with modest improvement.

iPhone has been out for 17 years now. We’ve reached a certain level maturity.
 
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12 mini and 13 mini cancelled
14 Plus and 15 Plus and 16 Plus cancelled

Apple should go back to iPhone XR/XS and iPhone 11/11 Pro release, 3 models per year

iPhone, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro
 
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DEMinSoCAL said:
Yes, "Fiasco"...as in, how are you enjoying that Apple Intelligence that the iPhone 16 was advertised with? Oh wait, it's not ready for prime time and is delayed. Selling tons of new iPhones with phantom features is not a practice Apple should be using.
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I didnt buy my iPhone for Apple intelligence. I bought it because my previous iPhone was an X and I needed a new iPhone. Apple intelligence will roll out over the next several months and when it does, I will happily use it. But I can assure you, I will survive without if for now. The world will not end.
 
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lkrupp said:
Chill, it’s only a rumor, and a more than a year out rumor too.
Click to expand...
Does article seriously list aluminium as feature to wait for? Any explanation? It absorbs impact better? Or will be reinforced?

I do not follow Android world. Can anyone list some new real inovations we see on Android side beside fast charging, 10x zoom and stylus?
 
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Wish they'd get rid of the camera bump.

In a service industry here, and need a phone that can survive drops onto concrete more than I need it to be impossibly thin. We use Otter cases, but the camera is still flush with the case and I maybe get two weeks from a lens protector. The current SE would be a lot better in this environment, but are rumored to be going away and our corporate IT won't issue them.
 
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Oestreich Dieter said:
The iPhone 16 is a fiasco? And you really dont get the point of annual iPhone upgrades. The iPhone 16 is not for people who just brought a 15 or even a 14. You shouldn’t even be thinking about upgrading your iPhone every 1-2 to years. The annual launches are for people who need to upgrade and can get the latest and greatest iPhone. I bought the iPhone 15pro and coming from iPhone X which I had for 6 years. I didn’t care that the 15 is “too similar to the 14” because I am coming from an X and it’s a massive upgrade over that.
Click to expand...
I personally like to have the latest tech and I used to be happy to change my phone every year because there was a lot of improvements on each generations but now you have to wait not even two but at least a good 3 generations gap for it to be meaningful
 
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Hammerd said:
I personally like to have the latest tech and I used to be happy to change my phone every year because there was a lot of improvements on each generations but now you have to wait not even two but at least a good 3 generations gap for it to be meaningful
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iPhone 1 through the 6s, I agree some solid updates every year. The next jump after the 6s was the iPhone X. After that the iPhone 12 with 5g. After that the iPhone 14 with esat. After that the iPhone 16 with apple intelligence.
 
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