Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.


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 often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

If you skipped the iPhone 16, or if you're just plain curious about what's on the horizon, here are 17 rumored features that we are expecting to arrive in time for Apple's successor lineup, the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to be released around mid-September.

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 feature a "major redesign" that will feature a single rear camera located on a horizontal camera bar running along the top of the device, along with a narrower Dynamic Island, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area. The device is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display size, and is likely to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup. Other reported features include an aluminum chassis, an A19 chip, Apple's C1 modem, an Action button, a Camera Control button, and a 24MP front camera. See our iPhone 17 Air 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. Significantly Redesigned Camera
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will have a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module. Apple will move away from the familiar square camera bump to a distinctive aluminum camera bar that spans the device's width, according to recent reports. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. The redesigned camera module is not expected to extend to the regular iPhone 17.

The devices are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a new 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
Last 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
Rumors indicate 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. Mos... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17
None of those things make me wanna buy an iPhone 17. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max in titanium and thus far this is the best phone I’ve owned. The screen is scraped up so it would be cheaper to replace the screen then it would be to get a junkie aluminum phone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clunkmess
Looking to see the camera improvements on the 17 Pro Max. Hope the phone comes in some nice new colour. As for the base models, the presence of 120Hz will be great. Think all models will get better front facing camera.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mganu and uacd
Another good reason is that camera will finally start shooting 8k. That’s a big deal! Maybe there will be some workarounds like the one with photos that lets you record twice more detailed 4k footage.

Also I believe we will finally see some sort of film camera/digicam simulation modes as a part of photographic styles upgrades. It will mark the end of Fujifilm and their 2.5k$ cameras with poor simulation modes🤣

In general, 17 Pro will have quite significant camera upgrades, including 48mp telephoto camera
 


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 often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

If you skipped the iPhone 16, or if you're just plain curious about what's on the horizon, here are 17 rumored features that we are expecting to arrive in time for Apple's successor lineup, the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to be released around mid-September.

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 feature a "major redesign" that will feature a single rear camera located on a horizontal camera bar running along the top of the device, along with a narrower Dynamic Island, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area. The device is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display size, and is likely to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup. Other reported features include an aluminum chassis, an A19 chip, Apple's C1 modem, an Action button, a Camera Control button, and a 24MP front camera. See our iPhone 17 Air 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. Significantly Redesigned Camera
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will have a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module. Apple will move away from the familiar square camera bump to a distinctive aluminum camera bar that spans the device's width, according to recent reports. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. The redesigned camera module is not expected to extend to the regular iPhone 17.

The devices are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a new 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
Last 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
Rumors indicate 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. Mos... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 17 Reasons to Wait for the iP TV

Well... **now** you tell me. I just upgraded last week. If I saw this article then I'd have waited 😭



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 often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

If you skipped the iPhone 16, or if you're just plain curious about what's on the horizon, here are 17 rumored features that we are expecting to arrive in time for Apple's successor lineup, the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to be released around mid-September.

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 feature a "major redesign" that will feature a single rear camera located on a horizontal camera bar running along the top of the device, along with a narrower Dynamic Island, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area. The device is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display size, and is likely to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup. Other reported features include an aluminum chassis, an A19 chip, Apple's C1 modem, an Action button, a Camera Control button, and a 24MP front camera. See our iPhone 17 Air 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. Significantly Redesigned Camera
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will have a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module. Apple will move away from the familiar square camera bump to a distinctive aluminum camera bar that spans the device's width, according to recent reports. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. The redesigned camera module is not expected to extend to the regular iPhone 17.

The devices are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a new 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
Last 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
Rumors indicate 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. Mos... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17
A few minor evolutions, but my iPhone 14 is safe for another year. I wouldn’t even notice the “upgrade”.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clunkmess
my iPhone 12 Pro is still going strong. it gets hot a bit quicker and the battery drains a bit faster but nothing, absolutely nothing has enticed me to "upgrade". remove the "feature" called the dynamic island and make it truly full screen, then maybe. the camera quality and zoom still stink.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HVDynamo
I have a 13 Pro so ripe for an upgrade. Talked myself out of the 16Pro and glad I did.
Nothing much on that list excites except maybe the Air if it feels nice in the hand (light) but can also last a day (not sure on that!).
The rest is lacking to be honest , and I see far more useful AI tricks and tools in other phones.
Also , we need a new form factor. The Razr Ultra flip looks amazing. If I didn’t have an Apple Watch S10, I’d have left Apple by now.
 
  • Love
Reactions: turbineseaplane
Except for a couple minor points, all the "reasons" were limited to one of the PRO models. If you do not want a PRO model, I'd say consider jumping on a discounted 16 of some fashion, especially if your current phone is several years old.
 
I've waited with a 14 Pro Max and a battery at 79% battery health. Just hurry it up!
Just get the battery replaced for under $100 and keep it for another 2-3 years. a 14 Pro is plenty good yet. I'm still rocking my 12 Pro and don't really see a reason to upgrade to be honest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex.ne
my iPhone 12 Pro is still going strong. it gets hot a bit quicker and the battery drains a bit faster but nothing, absolutely nothing has enticed me to "upgrade". remove the "feature" called the dynamic island and make it truly full screen, then maybe. the camera quality and zoom still stink.
I'm in the same boat with my 12 Pro. The original battery is still at 83% health even. But I really am not bothered by the dynamic island though. It's fine. I just haven't seen a reason to upgrade yet.
 
I am very happy with my 15PM. It's a great device. This is a bit of a problem for Apple now of course. In the early days the tech developed exponentially and upgrading every year or two was common because each model was really very different. But now we are were we should be in sense. It should not be remotely normal to buy a $1000+ device and ditch it after a year, or even two. I will probably be tempted next by the 19/XX/2027 or whatever it will be called.
 
Still on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and don't see any reason to upgrade. It'll be the first time I've gone more than 2 years on the same phone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clunkmess
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. Significantly Redesigned Camera
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will have a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module. Apple will move away from the familiar square camera bump to a distinctive aluminum camera bar that spans the device's width, according to recent reports. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. The redesigned camera module is not expected to extend to the regular iPhone 17.

The devices are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a new 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.


Article Link: 17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17
These two are reasons to run out and buy iPhone 16 Pros while they're still available -- but buy them on the Apple Upgrade Plan, which eliminates the penalty for buying early. Aluminum is a significant downgrade from titanium, and the so-called camera bar (it looks like a KitKat bar to me) would negatively impact NFC, cause shadows on flash pictures, inaccuracies with the LIDAR, and is ugly.

I bought my iPhone 16 Pro Max on the Upgrade Plan - just in case these rumors are wrong, and the 17's turn out to be worthwhile.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clunkmess


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 often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

If you skipped the iPhone 16, or if you're just plain curious about what's on the horizon, here are 17 rumored features that we are expecting to arrive in time for Apple's successor lineup, the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to be released around mid-September.

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 feature a "major redesign" that will feature a single rear camera located on a horizontal camera bar running along the top of the device, along with a narrower Dynamic Island, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area. The device is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display size, and is likely to replace the Plus model in Apple's lineup. Other reported features include an aluminum chassis, an A19 chip, Apple's C1 modem, an Action button, a Camera Control button, and a 24MP front camera. See our iPhone 17 Air 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. Significantly Redesigned Camera
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will have a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module. Apple will move away from the familiar square camera bump to a distinctive aluminum camera bar that spans the device's width, according to recent reports. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. The redesigned camera module is not expected to extend to the regular iPhone 17.

The devices are rumored to feature a new rear design combining aluminum and glass. The top half of the back will be aluminum, incorporating a new 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
Last 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
Rumors indicate 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. Mos... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17
I thought the regular iPhone 17 was gonna have an A18 chip and just a regular OLED display, not that LTPO stuff. That right?
 
Surely most people will be aware that it's a yearly cycle, given that we're 3 months away from the new phone, who doesn't know to wait it out?
 
Honestly, if I had more internal storage on my 11 Pro, I'd just keep that. It's running fine, I had Apple install a new battery recently. I'm not that excited about AI, not opposed to it but I just don't see the appeal. Granted, I've never really used it except asking it to make a transformer out of a late '80s Nissan Pathfinder.

But I do plan to upgrade this cycle. I don't plan on getting the large screen one but will get at minimum 512GB of storage and heavily leaning towards 1TB. If I'm planning to keep it for 3+ years, I don't want to deal with running out of storage later on.

Aluminum doesn't bother me but I wonder if Apple will move to a non-pro lineup. Maybe something like:
iPhone Air (2026) (1 lense)
iPhone (2026) (2-3 lenses)
iPhone Max (2026) (3 lenses)

With 5 models, it just gets confusing and overwhelming when deciding which iPhone to buy. There's also a lot of crossover and I'm sure it'll be more efficient to narrow it down to just 3 models.
 
Why would 'waiting for an aluminum chassis' be a good thing? Who would prefer an easily bendable cheaper looking chassis than the current titanium or former stainless steel? This is one big fat reason for me to buy a 16 Pro now than wait for the aluminum pro and possible pricier (due to tariffs and inflation) 17 Pro
 
My 13 Pro is showing its age and the battery is at 85% of its original capacity. None of these features are compelling enough to wait a few more months. The 16 Pro is still a hell of an upgrade over the 13.
 
My 13 Pro is showing its age and the battery is at 85% of its original capacity. None of these features are compelling enough to wait a few more months. The 16 Pro is still a hell of an upgrade over the 13.
Best advice is usually "buy it when you need it". Except when the model launches in a week, then you're just wasting money. At four months like now, I land somewhere in the middle and I'd search for a good deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnMaldaner
My 13 Pro is showing its age and the battery is at 85% of its original capacity. None of these features are compelling enough to wait a few more months. The 16 Pro is still a hell of an upgrade over the 13.
Are you planning to just keep the 13 Pro? I'm still using my 11 Pro and honestly, I'd probably keep using it if I had more internal storage. 64 GB is way too tight for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnMaldaner
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.