20 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 17 series is now just weeks away. Apple's iPhone 17 event this year is rumored to be scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. If Apple follows the traditional pattern, iPhone 17 pre-orders would begin on the Friday, September 12. The new devices would then likely reach customers and retail stores the following Friday, September 19.

If you're in the market for a new iPhone this year, or just plain curious, here are 20 rumored features coming to the iPhone 17 lineup next month.

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.

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. Most recently, one leaker has disputed that the non-Pro models will get ProMotion, claiming that they will come with fixed... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 20 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

 

[MacUserFella]

Why it say iPhone 17 Plus?

 

[maflynn]

With Apple being fairly regular with its release schedule, be it iPhone, Macs, or iPads, its always best to avoid making those purchases a month beforer the supposed release. With September under a month away its best to just wait.

There's also the buyers guide, and its best to consult that when making purchasing decisions, so you don't buy anything right before a release.

 

[Truben]

No, I am not waiting for that one. I am waiting for the foldable iPhone, whatever number it will be.

 

[HouseLannister]

No one is waiting because they want aluminum or a bigger camera module.

 

[rbbloom99]

Not mentioned above: can the 17 make better calls?

 

[rbbloom99]

No one is waiting because they want aluminum or a bigger camera module.

Didn’t we have aluminum like 5 years age?

 

[Marty80]

I think this is the 20th time i read this article, how about they release the phone already. That is enough a reason for me to buy one.

 

[kerr]

I have a 15 Pro and will wait for 18 Pro

 

[x5tuu]

Hardly a compelling list is it ... what a waste of an article!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Better article: 20 reasons to stick with the phone you have.

 

[tonmischa]

Bring back the mini.

 

[ThailandToo]

Didn’t we have aluminum like 5 years age?

To me this is the biggest disappointment in the rumored iPhones 17. Why downgrade it to aluminum. For drops, Titanium is so much better. Have dropped my 15PM at least 50 times onto hard floors and concrete and other than some screen abrasions, it doesn’t have a scratch on the titanium - and I don’t use a case except when traveling. I just don’t get it other than Apple cannot source enough titanium for the Fold and iPhone Air along with the Pros? It’s such a disappointment that I plan to go Air this yer and Fold next year.

 

[thegerman]

Not mentioned above: can the 17 make better calls?

What do you expect? Every iPhone generation was never good for calls and connection.

 

[DerHexer]

I am very much looking forward to the camera changes and the hopefully increased capabilities for spatial videos.
Using Spatialify to shoot in 1080p60 (can’t stand <60fps) now but great impact on video stabilization.
So hopes are, that the full 48mp on all pro cameras with 8k for non-spatial videos leads me to believe this could be an upgrade to get 4k60 native spatial support including stabilization.
Really looking forward and will make it a buy decision if true.

 

[Krizoitz]

21. It hasn’t been announced let alone released yet so you have no choice but to wait.

 

[kiv.atso]

unfortunately, it looks a little too ugly

 

[ifxf]

Currently on a three year replacement cycle, so it doesn’t matter what they offer.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Reason 21: It makes sense.

 

[FlavorfulTreat]

Number 6, y’all. An Apple designed WiFi chip! Do you know for how many upgrade cycles I’d watch the announcement of each new iPhone waiting to hear about and Apple made WiFi chip, only to have my hopes dashed that isn’t available yet?! NOT ANYMORE! The suffering ends 🔜

This is the most important feature ever to be added to an iPhone!!!!!! SO EXCITED!

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I sure can't imagine that any Apple iPhone user who comes to this web site would be planning on buying an iPhone 16 series device at this time unless they got an insane deal on it.

 

[thiscatisfat]

But...is it built for Apple Intelligence? Because I won't buy it if it isn't built for Apple Intelligence.

 

[diego.caraballo]

To me this is the biggest disappointment in the rumored iPhones 17. Why downgrade it to aluminum. For drops, Titanium is so much better. Have dropped my 15PM at least 50 times onto hard floors and concrete and other than some screen abrasions, it doesn’t have a scratch on the titanium - and I don’t use a case except when traveling. I just don’t get it other than Apple cannot source enough titanium for the Fold and iPhone Air along with the Pros? It’s such a disappointment that I plan to go Air this yer and Fold next year.

Like you said, Titanium is now be reserved for the premium iPhone: the Fold. The Pro's are not longer in that category.

If it's true, I'm really happy with that. Steel was too heavy and Titanium it's always full of fingerprints. Aluminum is lightweight, better thermal conductor and doesn't get smudges.

 

[Plutonius]

21). You don't want or need a new phone.

 

[ThailandToo]

Like you said, Titanium is now be reserved for the premium iPhone: the Fold. The Pro's are not longer in that category.

If it's true, I'm really happy with that. Steel was too heavy and Titanium it's always full of fingerprints. Aluminum is lightweight, better thermal conductor and doesn't get smudges.

It’s lightweight but you need 2.2x as much for the same case or you get lighter with the same thickness but not durable. Like the other aluminum iphones. So like I said prefer durability of the titanium and mine doesn’t have fingerprints at all but I have natural color.