iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 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.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 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.
• Dual video recording: According to Jon Prosser, of the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will allow users to record video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously in the Camera app.
• 8K video recording: Apple allegedly tested 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but such functionality is still not available. With the iPhone 17 Pro models expected to have entirely 48-megapixel rear cameras, perhaps 8K video recording will debut on those devices.
• 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 12 New Features

 

[attohs]

I don't think a larger camera bump is a feature. Eliminating the bump would be a feature.

 

[carswell]

Sorry, MacRumours. That camera bump is a flaw, not a feature. It's a major reason I just plonked for a 16 Pro.

 

[EugW]

It’s irritating that the flagship iPad Pro M4 didn’t get at least 12 GB RAM, considering even the iPhone will have 12 GB this year.

 

[I/0]

I’m getting a 16 Pro Max on clearance before the 17 models come out. I really, really don’t like the design they’re going for, aluminum is indeed a downgrade compared to titanium or stainless steel (just look how it dents), and I don’t really care about camera upgrades, add the price uncertainty for the 17 lineup because of tariffs and the decision to go for a 16 PM looks easy.

 

[digimc]

I have to say that I think the look of the camera bump is very non-traditional, however, I will also say that I think the look is growing on me. I definitely think the decision to make the camera bump the same color as the phone itself was a wise decision by Apple. This is definitely going to be one of those times that I think I will need to see the phone in person first before purchase.

 

[Deine Mudda]

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 April 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.
• Dual video recording: According to Jon Prosser, of the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will allow users to record video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously in the Camera app.
• 8K video recording: Apple allegedly tested 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but such functionality is still not available. With the iPhone 17 Pro models expected to have entirely 48-megapixel rear cameras, perhaps 8K video recording will debut on those devices.
• 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 12 New Features

I call aluminum frame plus price increase.
This would be a massive scam and a huge throwback of built in quality.

 

[heretic51]

Sorry, MacRumours. That camera bump is a flaw, not a feature. It's a major reason I just plonked for a 16 Pro.

Also just did the same thing

That being said, I may regret it if Tim Apple cooks up some pro models with fun saturated colors because aluminum can be easier to colorize compared to steel or titanium, not to mention more lightweight...

 

[Hero1]

I have repeatedly told you that I don’t want to increase the camera bump, which is a failed design, nor do I want to go back to aluminum. It looks like they want to do an experiment with the iPhone 17Pro.

 

[QCassidy352]

Pretty underwhelming as a 16 pro user—but I guess almost any year over year comparisons is similar.

 

[Big_D]

To be honest, there is nothing there that makes me think of upgrading. That said, with the 16 Pro, it will be another 3 years or so, before I will be looking at upgrading.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Please make a small phone again someday --- of any shape or form.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I suppose the 17 "Air" is the one to watch out for this year, isn't it? Seeing as the Pro is shaping up to be, well, uglier.

 

[Big_D]

Pretty underwhelming as a 16 pro user—but I guess almost any year over year comparisons is similar.

I upgraded from the 13 Pro to the 16 Pro this year, but I only upgraded because my daughter needed a new phone and due to the new house a new phone wasn’t in the budget, otherwise there wasn’t anything about the 16 Pro to make it a must have upgrade.

 

[CarAnalogy]

It’s irritating that the flagship iPad Pro M4 didn’t get at least 12 GB RAM, considering even the iPhone will have 12 GB this year.

Don't feel too bad. I doubt they've improved the multitasking in software. So even with 12 GB of RAM your apps and tabs will still reload every time you switch.

 

[AusMness]

Reminder to everyone here that the awful camera bump will not be happening. Aluminum doesn’t make any sense either.

 

[Falhófnir]

Seems like quite a solid update as recent iPhone iterations have gone. Hopefully a more flexible zoom lens setup, 8k video, presumably lighter with the aluminium frame and reduced back glass, longer battery life, bump in RAM. They've certainly tried to get away with less for previous new iPhones!

 

[EugW]

I’m getting a 16 Pro Max on clearance before the 17 models come out. I really, really don’t like the design they’re going for, aluminum is indeed a downgrade compared to titanium or stainless steel (just look how it dents), and I don’t really care about camera upgrades, add the price uncertainty for the 17 lineup because of tariffs and the decision to go for a 16 PM looks easy.

The camera and other upgrades are way more important to me than the looks. The 16 Pro Max would have to be US$200 cheaper in Sept. for me to consider it.

 

[vegetassj4]

No new emoji? How could they not innovate with exciting new characters in multiple colors shapes and sizes?

 

[flybass]

Don't feel too bad. I doubt they've improved the multitasking in software. So even with 12 GB of RAM your apps and tabs will still reload every time you switch.

Is this the right way to think about it? It doesn’t seem to align with what I’ve observed as a user - eg fewer tabs seems to trigger reloading less frequently.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be yet another overpriced deja vu with Apple proudly unveiling a new aluminum frame aka budget downgrade, a rectangular camera bump no one asked for, and a slightly bigger battery that still won’t make it through a full day. They’re doubling selfie megapixels so you can see your pores in ultra-cringe detail, adding 8K video for your dog’s nap time, and tossing in 12GB of RAM to keep all your useless open tabs running. Oh, and now your phone won’t melt as fast, thanks to “vapor cooling.” It’s peak innovation theater shiny specs, zero substance, and somehow still marketed like they reinvented fire.

 

[IIGS User]

This may be the first year in a while I don't upgrade.

 

[BorisDG]

Remember guys, even numbers only.

 

[ksec]

The problem is iPhone dont feel any faster with all these new Hardwares. It is the software that needs improvement.

 

[tomegun]

Why not get rid of the camera bump by filling the space with battery?