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To everyone claiming that this doesn’t make sense due to the rumoured cost, it makes perfect sense. It’s obviously a foldable device hence the need to make it ‘slim’
It’s hard to believe Apple will make foldable because Apple doesn’t ride a gimmick train. They don’t design something just because it’s “hot” right now. It needs to have a real use case and real benefit to the user. The idea of a phone that can be opened for a bigger screen is cool but the current implementations have too much ridiculous tradeoffs and too little gains. Take the screen for example. Unfolded Samsung Fold screen is not that much bigger than iPhone Pro Max but it is soft, has a crease and the device itself is bulky when folded and super expensive. Not to mention all the moving pars that can fail easily. There is a reason that it is Samsung that makes those Folds ands Flips. Samsung is a company that can release duck shaped phone if they want and when that flops they will just move forward. It’s a company that releases tens of different models that no one can even remember what those are called. And folds and flips are just tech demos imho. Remember, Samsung is also a screen manufacturer. I wonder which is a bigger business for Samsung, screens or mobile phones. Anyway, Apple can’t just release gimmicky toys because of their brand is far more serious and premium. And the tech just isn’t ready.
 
Rumours are very inconsistent about the new model. Not sure how the new model can be priced above Pro Max with these specifications.
This is exactly how the Galaxy Flip (inferior specs) is priced above the Galaxy Ultra. Foldable tech is thinner so a single camera on back makes sense. Dont worry guys Apple will get this right like they always do.
 


Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year.

Generic-iPhone-17-Feature-With-Full-Width-Dynamic-Island.jpg

Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a titanium-aluminum frame, but with a lower percentage of titanium than used for iPhone 15 Pro models.

The analyst added that while there will not be an iPhone 17 Plus, the new ultra-thin model will not be a replacement for it. Instead, he said the device will be an all-new model, with its main selling point to be its "new design" rather than specs.

With no A19 Pro chip, a single camera, a slightly smaller display than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a focus on design over specifications, it sounds like the ultra-thin model will not be the so-called highest-end "iPhone 17 Ultra" after all. It is now unclear exactly where the device will be positioned in the iPhone 17 lineup, but that will likely become clearer as it gets closer to launching. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, so there is still a lot of runway for more rumors.

Article Link: Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More
Lol I can't imagine paying a premium for design with terrible hardware
 
There is nothing in the article that suggests a higher price point.
Yeah the only reason why people were talking about it being the most expensive iPhone was because they thought it was going to be sitting above the iPhone Pro Max somehow. This is more like a high-end consumer phone or “executive” phone for people that want a nice slim stylish looking phone and don’t want three bulky lenses that stick out. It’s kind of like they’re combining the iPhone mini and the iPhone plus models.
 
I'm still not seeing how this device is to be priced more than the pro max. Like the mental gymnastics apple is going to have to pull to convince people to pay more FOR LESS is wild. This seems like it should be replacing the plus model and be priced as such.
Yeah I agree - it looks like Apple is going to discontinue the Plus and try something different again (Plus may be performing a bit better than the Mini, but not by much). Going after the folks that want a thin and light phone with a bigger screen and don't care as much about camera quality I guess? Maybe a price increase compared to current Plus pricing, but it will be cheaper than the Pro Max.
 
Yeah I agree - it looks like Apple is going to discontinue the Plus and try something different again (Plus may be performing a bit better than the Mini, but not by much). Going after the folks that want a thin and light phone with a bigger screen and don't care as much about camera quality I guess? Maybe a price increase compared to current Plus pricing, but it will be cheaper than the Pro Max.
With rumors of a single camera lens but a camera bump that spans the width of the iPhone it could suggest a combined variable aperture and zoom lens design as an alternative to the two or three lens set up. It would be a very expensive implementation and too early to include in the iPhone Pro models due to low yields but it could make sense here in a more niche product.
 
With rumors of a single camera lens but a camera bump that spans the width of the iPhone it could suggest a combined variable aperture and zoom lens design as an alternative to the two or three lens set up. It would be a very expensive implementation and too early to include in the iPhone Pro models due to low yields but it could make sense here in a more niche product.

Huawei Pura 70 launched this year already has a mechanical variable aperture, zoom, with a 1-inch sensor. It's a $750 - $1,400 phone. So it's not a yield issue.

Big sensors and zoom lenses eat up internal volume. The 17 Slim has a single camera simply because it reduces thickness.
 
Yeah I agree - it looks like Apple is going to discontinue the Plus and try something different again (Plus may be performing a bit better than the Mini, but not by much). Going after the folks that want a thin and light phone with a bigger screen and don't care as much about camera quality I guess? Maybe a price increase compared to current Plus pricing, but it will be cheaper than the Pro Max.

Data shows Plus sells 10x as many units as mini. But the problem is Plus doesn't increase ASP enough because it's only a $899 device. Apple can't simply add $100-$200 to the same phone. Changing the form factor helps justify a price increase.

iPhone shipment units are falling as replacement cycles get longer. Apple needs to increase ASP and that's through higher prices.
 
It’s hard to believe Apple will make foldable because Apple doesn’t ride a gimmick train. They don’t design something just because it’s “hot” right now. It needs to have a real use case and real benefit to the user. The idea of a phone that can be opened for a bigger screen is cool but the current implementations have too much ridiculous tradeoffs and too little gains. Take the screen for example. Unfolded Samsung Fold screen is not that much bigger than iPhone Pro Max but it is soft, has a crease and the device itself is bulky when folded and super expensive. Not to mention all the moving pars that can fail easily. There is a reason that it is Samsung that makes those Folds ands Flips. Samsung is a company that can release duck shaped phone if they want and when that flops they will just move forward. It’s a company that releases tens of different models that no one can even remember what those are called. And folds and flips are just tech demos imho. Remember, Samsung is also a screen manufacturer. I wonder which is a bigger business for Samsung, screens or mobile phones. Anyway, Apple can’t just release gimmicky toys because of their brand is far more serious and premium. And the tech just isn’t ready.

What is Vision Pro?

Consumers want larger and larger displays each year because screen time increases. A foldable phone is inevitable.
 
To everyone claiming that this doesn’t make sense due to the rumoured cost, it makes perfect sense. It’s obviously a foldable device hence the need to make it ‘slim’

Use common sense. A foldable isn't slim. Does your wallet become slimmer after you fold it? A top-end device wouldn't have one rear camera or use a mix of Al-Ti.

Out of 5 or 6 sources that reported on the Slim, one single source claimed it would be priced above Pro Max. Some gullible people treated that one rumor like the bible and now keep harping on it.
 
I plan on buying the slim - and it's going to sell like a $5 TV in a crack neighborhood.

Some of you might not be old enough to remember that when cell phones really started taking off, the ultimate goal was thinner/lighter. Oddly enough, Apple was the leader in changing this around because of all the feature creep.

Before the iPhone, one of the most coveted phones was the Razor. And its entire claim to fame was how thin it was.

I want a phone with a large, bright screen, that has the fastest internet access.

I don't need a pedometer, compass, 14 cameras, a flashlight, vibrating doodads, etc. All that crap does is add weight and kill the battery.

And the reason the mini failed was because it was a discounted, lower end device with a tiny, junk screen. People buying Apple products don't want cheap. You want cheap, buy Android.

Pricing the thin at the top of the range will literally guarantee some people will buy it because it's the most expensive version (even if turns out to be cheaper to manufacture). Absolute genius move.
 
After seeing all this rumors about the iPhone 17 I have been thinking of skipping the 16 pro and waiting for it. Now that we’re seeing its unlikely going to be a high end device, I think I’ll replace my 13 pro with a 16 pro.

Curious it would be so pricey just because it is newest design, more curious that  would not design it as a flagship device.

Either way, it may need a generation or to work out the kinks, so maybe I’ll jump in with the 18 or 19. I’m sure the 16 pro will be a very reliable device, the final form of the 12 pro design.
 
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