iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

[MacRumors]

While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025:

• Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro have a stainless steel frame. The back of the devices will supposedly have a new "part-aluminum, part-glass" design.
• Rectangular camera bump: iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to have a large rectangular camera bump with rounded corners. Apple apparently plans to stick with a triangular arrangement for the rear camera lenses.
• More scratch-resistant display: iPhone 17 Pro screens are rumored to have a new anti-reflective coating that increases scratch resistance compared to previous models.
• Larger battery: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumored to have a slightly thicker design that allows for a larger battery.
• A19 Pro chip: iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to use Apple's next-generation A19 Pro chip, which will reportedly be manufactured with TSMC's newer third-generation 3nm process. Like usual, expect modest year-over-year performance gains and power efficiency improvements compared to the current iPhones.
• Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip: All four iPhone 17 models are rumored to get a Wi-Fi 7 chip designed by Apple rather than Broadcom.
• 24-megapixel front camera: All four iPhone 17 models are said to feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, whereas all iPhone 16 models are equipped with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera.
• 48-megapixel rear Telephoto camera: An upgraded 48-megapixel Telephoto camera is rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, up from the 12-megapixel Telephoto camera on iPhone 16 Pro models.
• 12GB of RAM: An increased 12GB of RAM was initially rumored exclusively for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but later the iPhone 17 Pro as well. This upgrade should help to improve the performance of Apple Intelligence and multitasking. All four iPhone 16 models have 8GB of RAM.
  Improved cooling: All four iPhone 17 models are rumored to feature internal design changes that result in better heat dissipation. A vapor chamber cooling system has been rumored for the Pro models.

Bookmark our iPhone 17 Pro roundup to stay up to date with more rumors.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

 

[cjsuk]

Ain’t buying it.

Would rather spend the money on anything else at the moment.

 

[flybass]

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I don’t see the software making use of the updated hardware at this point in time. If the AI thing wasn’t a bust, then maybe…

 

[RickDEGH]

Not worth an upgrade from even 13 Pro. Apple will try to sell you the 17 Pros as something better. Nothing significant has been innovated. It was always about the money. We just went along because it was exciting and provided some utility. But there’s only so long you can stretch utility. Don’t give Apple the money.

 

[AusMness]

Why on gods green earth would we go back to aluminum that makes no sense

Starting to sound like a broken record here with that grotesque camera bump:
- The flash will cast shadows that don’t match the lens
- The mic can’t support audio mix
- The LiDAR has to be as close as possible to the lens so that they read info from the same POV
- The extra material for that long ass bar will cost Apple a lot
- Your fingers will naturally cover the lidar, flash and mic while you use it in landscape
- Titanium is already perfect and aluminum is a step back
- Two-tone materials just look bad and cost more
- There isn’t a single benefit to this design whatsoever (the lenses still protrude past the camera bump, so it will still rock on tables)

 

[IsaacM]

Return to aluminium being the main new "feature" after they've been selling it to us as "the cheap version" for decades. 🤣 Man, this company is completely lost

 

[IsaacM]

Why on gods green earth would we go back to aluminum that makes no sense

cheaper to produce = more $$$profit$$$

 

[everlast3434]

Woah! The innovation of that big ugly rectangle on the back is amazing! Instant buy for me!

 

[IsaacM]

- There isn’t a single benefit to this design whatsoever (the lenses still protrude past the camera bump, so it will still rock on tables)

They are forcing this useless design changes to differentiate the model visually because there are no new big features and the back design has been the same since iPhone 11.

Modern Apple is all about these manipulative tactics that have all to do with marketing and little to do with actual innovation.

 

[ifxf]

Economic uncertainty means I will wait a year.

 

[JohnC1959]

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I don’t see the software making use of the updated hardware at this point in time. If the AI thing wasn’t a bust, then maybe…

I'm not sure improved cameras, larger batteries, better cooling or more scratch resistant screen need AI all that much to be a benefit. I got the 16 pro so it doesn't make sense for me to get a 17 but I'm sure it will make a nice upgrade for those with a 14 or earlier model. Meanwhile I'll appreciate the accumulation of enhancements that will be there for the 19 pro.

 

[NJRonbo]

As usual, new iPhone, basically the same as the 4 generations behind it

 

[Beepster]

I’m relatively new to iPhones and won’t be getting another. Their problem is the software, it’s just dated and basically rubbish compared to Android. Sure the next iPhone might be a bit faster and have slightly improved camera etc, but it makes no difference when the software is a decade behind. They have billions in cash, they could hire thousands of new developers tomorrow, but yet they can’t even improve the keyboard. They are a joke of a company, or more accurately, they’re just ripping money out of people for nothing. Fool me once…

 

[TechWhisperer]

As usual, new iPhone, basically the same as the 4 generations behind it

The same boring brick design, sigh. It’s like they don’t even try. Give us the iPhone 11 Pro design.

 

[jz0309]

That list of new features doesn’t really make me want to upgrade from my 13PM, but I’ll hold my decision until it actually is released.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Why on gods green earth would we go back to aluminum that makes no sense

From a material cost standpoint it makes a lot of sense. Imagine saving a few dollars in material costs on every phone when you sell in the numbers that iPhones do. They can charge the same price or even more because it's a new phone and pocket the savings. It's a smart way to do cost cutting without customers noticing.

 

[dampfnudel]

Why on gods green earth would we go back to aluminum that makes no sense

Starting to sound like a broken record here with that grotesque camera bump:
- The flash will cast shadows that don’t match the lens
- The mic can’t support audio mix
- The LiDAR has to be as close as possible to the lens so that they read info from the same POV
- The extra material for that long ass bar will cost Apple a lot
- Your fingers will naturally cover the lidar, flash and mic while you use it in landscape
- Titanium is already perfect and aluminum is a step back
- Two-tone materials just look bad and cost more
- There isn’t a single benefit to this design whatsoever (the lenses still protrude past the camera bump, so it will still rock on tables)

I have no issues with Apple going back to lighter aluminum. They probably had to because of the weight (16 Pro is close to 200g). As for the new flash and LiDAR placement further away from the camera lenses, I’m sure Apple tested this to make sure photo quality remained the same or got better.

 

[dampfnudel]

From a material cost standpoint it makes a lot of sense. Imagine saving a few dollars in material costs on every phone when you sell in the numbers that iPhones do. They can charge the same price or even more because it's a new phone and pocket the savings. It's a smart way to do cost cutting without customers noticing.

It’s not just cost cutting, the weight was most likely a factor as well. The 16 Pro is close to 200g. A titanium 17 Pro prototype may have hit or come very close to the 206g weight of the heavy stainless steel 14 Pro.

 

[JohnC1959]

It’s not just cost cutting, the weight was most likely a factor as well. The 16 Pro is close to 200g. A titanium 17 Pro prototype may have hit or come very close to the 206g weight of the heavy stainless steel 14 Pro.

Hmmm, I wonder how true that really is. I know that often those using aluminum will need to make it thicker to compensate for it being a softer metal so I'm not sure how that impacts its relative weight. Anyway, I had heard they are going back to aluminum to help make them more carbon neutral. Seems production of titanium has a bigger impact on the environment.

 

[TechWhisperer]

‘Aluminum frame’

Wow, most impressive feature Apple ever invented!

 

[L92]

Why on gods green earth would we go back to aluminum that makes no sense

Starting to sound like a broken record here with that grotesque camera bump:
- The flash will cast shadows that don’t match the lens
- The mic can’t support audio mix
- The LiDAR has to be as close as possible to the lens so that they read info from the same POV
- The extra material for that long ass bar will cost Apple a lot
- Your fingers will naturally cover the lidar, flash and mic while you use it in landscape
- Titanium is already perfect and aluminum is a step back
- Two-tone materials just look bad and cost more
- There isn’t a single benefit to this design whatsoever (the lenses still protrude past the camera bump, so it will still rock on tables)

God, I hope Apple will discover these issues before the release. Maybe they'll even reach out to you for further advice.

 

[Premium1]

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I don’t see the software making use of the updated hardware at this point in time. If the AI thing wasn’t a bust, then maybe…

Agree. With how many models they support (like with IpadOS) the specs have been plenty for years. The pro line has been meh for years.

 

[Premium1]

Apple seems like they have no direction and I guess it makes sense the rumored "17 air" is coming this year if these are the specs for the pros they are trying to push at $1,000+.

 

[Ethrem]

I’m relatively new to iPhones and won’t be getting another. Their problem is the software, it’s just dated and basically rubbish compared to Android. Sure the next iPhone might be a bit faster and have slightly improved camera etc, but it makes no difference when the software is a decade behind. They have billions in cash, they could hire thousands of new developers tomorrow, but yet they can’t even improve the keyboard. They are a joke of a company, or more accurately, they’re just ripping money out of people for nothing. Fool me once…

That's hilarious because I just switched back to iOS for the first time since the 12 Pro Max.

Things I've noticed:

1) Standby drain is so much better. My OnePlus 13 can't match my 16e unless I have basically nothing installed.

2) Notifications are no longer delayed or entirely missing, another improvement over recent Android devices where notifications can be delayed by hours or just be missed entirely.

3) App quality is so much better on iOS. I'm honestly shocked at how much better common apps like X and Reddit are on iOS. There's no comparison. This extends to games too. They just run much smoother on iOS than they do on Android because devs optimize for iOS.

4) Universal Spotlight search is SO much more convenient for how I use my phone. I use search rather than clutter up my home screen on my devices and I get so irritated with the fact that Google's search built in to the launcher pulls up the Google app, which means if I want to grab a 2FA code from Authy, I have to swipe twice to get back to the last app I was using. Since gestures on Android are less precise than they are on iOS, this often means I have to swipe three times to actually get back to the app that needed the code and then Android even closes the keyboard so I have to tap and bring that back up too, which always has about a half second lag no matter the device as well. I bring this up because it's a constant issue. Spotlight doesn't count as an app so I can use it, search for and open Authy, and when I swipe I go right back to the app that needed the code. None of this even touches on just how much more Spotlight can search. How Google hasn't implemented their own universal search is beyond me (and implementations by the OEMs are always lacking and clunky).

5) Google has started to make some annoying decisions that make the iPhone better for power users. For example, I use Microsoft Phone Link to get my notifications on my PC. With Android 15, Google now decides some things are too sensitive to show, and there is no option to get around that. Guess what? The iPhone pairs with Phone Link and shows me every single notification that comes in just as I want -- bonus points, I have yet to have it disconnect from my PC unlike every time I use an Android phone with the app nor have I had it fail to connect automatically when I bring the computer back from sleep, another constant fight with the Android phones. Google is also making it harder to sideload apps, not allowing them to have all the same permissions as apps installed from the Play Store without workarounds in settings (and OnePlus goes further here, not allowing you to override this limitation at all), while Apple is becoming less restrictive about allowed apps, which means I don't even need to sideload on iOS anymore.

6) On with the annoying decisions that Google is making, they're also going to make it harder to hide the fact you're rooted from apps. I have to root to be able to tolerate Android, as it allows me to undo Google's interference in how i use my device, but then I'm forced to give up tap to pay, banking, games, because of root detection. It's my phone, let me use it how I want!

Yes, the keyboard isn't the best. That's definitely something Apple should address. iOS 19 is said to be an entire design overhaul so it seems I moved at the right time but now that I can put icons anywhere I want on the screen, I'm not really that annoyed by the iOS interface anymore. I do hope Apple implements the ability to swipe to go back to the previous app at some point though. That particular gesture is very inconsistent and it's taking some getting used to. Like if I open a link from my email on my Android phone, I can swipe to go leave the browser and go back to my email, but on iOS, I have to tap the arrow in the top left corner. That's minor though and I'm getting used to it.

I don't care about the AI stuff one bit but yeah, if you want more of that nonsense, Android will give you that.

Anyway, I can't see myself going back to Android any time soon. Google has stepped up the nannying to a level I just can't tolerate anymore while Apple has relented in many ways and I am just so tired of fighting with my phone. Everything with Apple just works.

 

[Unami]

Meh - that camera hump doesn't make any sense as long as the lenses still stick out. 24mp front camera is probably nice for selfies and 12gb ram for a "pro" phone is ok-ish. Apart from that, again no reason to buy that oversized, overweight and, most important of all, quite overpriced brick - if that's all, I'll stick with my 13 mini. Glad that Apple intelligence arrived stillborn.