5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro

[widestload]

Switching from Titanium back to Aluminium seems like a backwards step to a less premium/pro material. Also I'm guessing (is it?) Aluminium is cheaper (I see it as such)? So lets hope we get a cut in the price as things switch to this "lesser" material (yeah right).

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

Than you need to buy the S25 Ultra. The reflective display on that phone is phenomenal.

But that would mean using Android. 😖

 

[JapanApple]

no reason to upgrade wait until 2026. ProMax 14 is doing ok. battery replacement coming up soon. No need

 

[Mr_Ed]

And most people would greatly disagree with you.

The camera is the first thing on any phone I look towards.

Some do care a great deal about the camera specs. But how many iPhone buyers truly care about advanced camera features?

Really, how many bother to share a photo they took with the phone outside of sharing a scaled down export to social media, or physically showing it to someone on the phone screen itself or a tablet screen? Some may AirPlay a video to their TV, but that is about the extent of it.

The number of photographers with the desire, knowledge, and tools to leverage the most advanced features of a phone camera as part of an actual workflow is tiny in the context of billions of phone owners. Same goes for pro videographers.

I think if Apple was to truly segment their phones along camera capability lines, we would see how unimportant the camera really is. If Apple had (a) a lower spec model, (b) a mid spec model with a run-of-the-mill camera but better screen, battery, and processing specs, and (c) a “Pro” model that was basically like the mid spec but with the best whiz-bang camera tech and more storage, very few “Pro” models would actually sell. We will never find out because it is far more profitable to convince everyone they need the camera updates.

 

[JulianL]

I thought another rumour was that the 2025 Pros will be about 0.5mm thicker for the main body with a possible consequence being a bigger battery. Is that rumour now discredited because personally if still believed credible I’d have definitely mentioned that in this article? For me that would be worthy of being one of the top five or changing the article to top six to make sure it is mentioned.

 

[TechRunner]

I won't be upgrading anyway as I've only had my 16PM since November, but if I was looking forward to upgrading this wouldn't be a very compelling replacement.

 

[wanha]

No, No, NO!!!!!! According to everyone here, nobody is going to buy that niche product!

oh I am sure most of us would buy it IF it:

1. didn't cost twice as much as an iPhone Pro (it almost certainly will)
2. was as durable as a "regular" iPhone (it almost certainly won't be)

Fix those two and what's not to like about a folding phone?

 

[Alex Cai]

VC chamber is a 5 year old android tech. Apple is not only not innovative but also cannot quickly catch up with competitors. can't emphasize this more.

 

[Octothorpe]

If “bigger camera bump” and “cheaper materials” are two of the five biggest changes to their flagship phone, that’s a very hard pass from me.

I bet Steve Jobs is rolling over in his grave. There was a time when Apple focused on the "purpose" and benefits of products, rather than technical specifications (eg. "1000 songs in your pocket").

Nowadays it feels like Deja Vu reading every MacRumors announcement on the next iPhone, with all rumors and announcements focused on technical specifications:

1. Better Camera to _____ megapixels
2. Better Selfie Camera to _____ megapixels
3. Upgraded Processor to A______
4. Storage Space Option of ______ GB
5. New Screen Size of _______ inches

 

[ksec]

iPhone has inferior camera for years. Now even Android has caught up to video shooting.

May be A19 will be great, but judging from rumours Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite 2 seems to be closing up to the point it doesn't matter.

What is left is iOS 19. Which for what ever reason they have been making it more Android like every single version.

 

[flybass]

I think the following features would actually be interesting.

1. Lossless wireless audio: I think this can be accomplished through WiFi. The phones have such enormous batteries now that maybe it is viable over Bluetooth.

2. More ram: let’s face it, the amount of ram is still pathetic. Processor is plenty fast. Most of the hiccups are around switching apps or tabs.

 

[kamyk35]

Later this year, Apple will introduce the iPhone 17 series, which includes the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, two new high-end flagship devices that will be sold alongside the regular iPhone 17 and an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

If you have been holding out for the iPhone 17 Pro or its bigger sibling, here are five of the biggest changes, informed by the latest reports and rumors, that are said to be coming to Apple's premium devices. The iPhone 17 series is expected to be released in the fall around mid-September. For all the details, see our dedicated roundup.
1. Redesigned Camera Bump
Google Pixel-Style
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to feature a significant redesign of the rear camera bump, shifting to a horizontal, rectangular bar that spans the width of the device. Visually, it's reminiscent of the Google Pixel's runway-style camera panel, and is a notable departure from Apple's long-standing square camera island. According to CAD renders and part leaks, this new bump integrates the familiar triangular triple-lens array on the left, with the LiDAR scanner, microphone, and flash relocated to the right for a more symmetrical layout.

While Apple's rationale for the shift remains unclear, the wider camera bar could offer several practical advantages. It may allow for larger or more thermally efficient components, improved spatial separation of sensors for more accurate depth mapping, or simply more efficient internal packaging as Apple continues to shrink the main logic board. The bump's uniform color, which is reportedly matched to the rest of the chassis, suggests Apple is aiming for a more unified and visually subdued design language than previously thought.

2. Upgraded Telephoto Lens
48-Megapixels
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a new upgraded Telephoto or "Tetraprism" lens with a 48MP sensor, up from the current 12MP sensor found in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. This is a long-running rumor that has been corroborated by multiple sources. Given that the iPhone 16 Pro models already have 48MP Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras, the iPhone 17 Pro are expected to be the first iPhone models to boast a rear triple-camera array made up entirely of 48-megapixel lenses.

In addition, Apple reportedly plans to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities when it unveils the device later this year. What those capabilities will mean in real terms is unclear, but there have been suggestions that all three cameras could support 8K video recording for the first time. Shooting 8K would allow videographers to record using the Ultra Wide camera and then crop in 50% and still achieve 4K resolution.

3. Upgraded Selfie Camera
24-Megapixels
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to feature a major upgrade to the front-facing camera: a 24MP sensor paired with a six-element plastic lens system. This would be a big leap over the iPhone 16 Pro's 12MP front-facing camera that's been used in iPhones for the last several years, and could redefine the selfie and video call experience.

A 24MP sensor allows for much higher detail capture, which isn't just about pixel count – it enables greater flexibility in framing and post-processing. Users will be able to crop, zoom, or recompose their shots without sacrificing sharpness, making it especially appealing for creators who rely on front-facing footage for content production.

4. Part-Glass, Part-Aluminum Frame
No More Titanium
Apple has gradually shifted the materials used in its premium iPhones – from aluminum to stainless steel, and more recently, titanium. But with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the company is expected to return to aluminum for the frame. This move is reportedly driven by environmental goals, as aluminum has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium, making it a more sustainable choice.

The design of the rear panel is also getting a notable update. The back of the iPhone 17 Pro models will combine aluminum and glass: the top half will be made of aluminum and house a rectangular camera bump (now made from aluminum instead of the usual 3D glass) while the bottom half will remain glass to preserve wireless charging functionality. This hybrid approach suggests Apple is balancing material efficiency with practical features.

5. New A19 Pro Processor
Better Performance
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to debut with Apple's new A19 Pro chip, built using TSMC's latest third-generation 3nm process, known as "N3P." This next-gen node represents a process shrink, allowing for greater transistor density. In practical terms, that translates to modest gains in both performance and power efficiency over the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 series.

To complement the upgraded silicon, Apple is also rumored to be introducing vapor chamber cooling in the iPhone 17 Pro models. This advanced thermal solution helps dissipate heat more effectively, allowing... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro

To be fair & objective, the camera is nothing like Pixel style.
The camera upgrades have peaked my interest, aluminium has dampened it 😏

 

[chineseguy38]

And the much increased price. 😂😂 Tim Apple will want the same profit margin with the upcoming iPhones.

 

[AnotherOpinion]

Oh boy another iPhone 14 Pro!

Right? I am still on my 14 Pro Max and other than improved cameras (which used to get me to upgrade every year) I have stopped replacing it. The 14 Pro Max works well for me. I am not bother by the lightning port instead of USB-C - The 15, 16, and now 17 iPhones does not thrill me enough to want to change.

 

[Rafagon]

So,.... nothing that excites me personally.

The potential new price excites me... in a bad way.

 

[Jkeith85]

At this point, I only look forward to iOS updates.

 

[kiranmk2]

The cynic in me has the following thoughts about this:

• No reason that the telephoto camera couldn't have been upgraded to 48 mp in previous years - clearly a drip feeding of features over the years to give some kind of differentiation - I'm actually surprised that the selfie camera is getting a bump this year too!
• The camera bar redesign is purely to give a visual sign that this is the latest iPhone, meaning that plenty of people will upgrade because they don't want want to be seen with the 'old' phone...

 

[kiranmk2]

At this point, I only look forward to iOS updates.

Same here. Aside from improved A chips with improved compute, the software offers the biggest opportunity for changes/improvements. I'm not holding my breath for iOS 19 though given it's a race to get this years' Apple Intelligence features in, never mind the features that were likely planned for iOS19 originally.

i'm also conerned that the AI crunch will mean other, potentially more interesting features may get delayed or abandoned.

 

[Jkeith85]

Same here. Aside from improved A chips with improved compute, the software offers the biggest opportunity for changes/improvements. I'm not holding my breath for iOS 19 though given it's a race to get this years' Apple Intelligence features in, never mind the features that were likely planned for iOS19 originally.

i'm also conerned that the AI crunch will mean other, potentially more interesting features may get delayed or abandoned.

If the ai part where they remove things from the back ground is how we are headed….doomed.

 

[imlynxy]

6. Much more expensive

 

[UltimaKilo]

Going back to aluminum and more cameras for a phone that has taken, arguably, very good photos since the 13? All for the improvements and they are necessary but if that’s the only improvement over the last 4 years it is getting extremely stale… YAWN

This was my exact thinking. The processor is a minimal jump and battery life likely won’t be much better, nor will we see a 144hz screen or a lighter device.

The 17 model year might be the least appealing in years, even less so than the 14, 15 model lines.

 

[wanha]

2. More ram: let’s face it, the amount of ram is still pathetic. Processor is plenty fast. Most of the hiccups are around switching apps or tabs.

already done. In the past year, Apple upgraded the RAM specs of all their devices because of AI RAM requirements

 

[freezelighter]

So now it will habe two wobbly camera bumps. First from lenses to the bump and second from bump to the back of iPhone. I was hoping to finally put it normally on the table. Instead, it will shake more than ever when tapping 💔

And I'm not a masochist who puts a beautiful phone in a protective case!

 

[shawnforever]

I've never upgraded after only a year; usually two-year cycles for me. But this may be a three-year cycle. I really don't see anything that makes me want to spend all that money for modest spec bumps to the processor and camera. The 15 Pro Max is still great for me.

 

[Kai.Def]

12 GB of Ram & Bluetooth 6 is what I am waiting for.