From a long-overdue cooling upgrade to a redesigned camera island, rumors indicate the iPhone 17 lineup will deliver meaningful changes. Here are five rumored iPhone 17 features that have me genuinely excited for Apple’s next devices.
You don’t need to wait until September to see the four models in the iPhone 17 series. Images of them leaked out already, including a new glamour shot showing the entire collection, including the slim model likely called the iPhone 17 Air.
A highlight of the image is the rumored move from a camera hump to a camera bar in most of Apple’s upcoming handsets.
The iPhone could soon take a big leap in wireless charging technology, with new MagSafe 50W charging pucks that support the upcoming Qi 2.2 standard. A well-known leaker found regulatory filings that reveal two new MagSafe charger models from Apple that could enable dramatically faster wireless charging speeds, at least for newer handsets.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will probably receive significant display upgrades, but recent leaks suggest the improvements may not be as comprehensive as initially hoped. While multiple sources have indicated the non-Pro models will finally get high refresh rate screens, a conflicting report now questions whether these will include Apple’s full ProMotion technology.
In other words, base iPhone 17 and super-thin iPhone 17 Air may lack what makes ProMotion what it is.
The standard iPhone 17 model will almost certainly include a larger screen. That’s been rumored before, and a very reliable source for display-related insider information said Thursday that the display is getting a boost above the 6.1-inch screen in the current iPhone 16, moving up to 6.3 inches.
The same source also gave exact display sizes for the other three models in the iPhone 17 series.
Rather than building a bigger battery into the iPhone 17 to extend battery life, Apple reportedly plans to use a smarter power source to achieve the desired result. The company reported is creating an AI system for iOS 19 to “analyze how a person uses their device and make adjustments to conserve energy,” according to a report published Monday.
It could be one of many AI-powered features in the version of the iPhone’s operating system expected to launch this autumn.
Tariffs might force Apple to increase the prices of the iPhone 17 lineup. The company reportedly will highlight the new designs and features of this year’s models to justify the price increase.
Without raising prices, Apple can’t offset the increased tariffs on Chinese-imported products sold in the United States.
Apple supposedly will switch to a two-pronged iPhone release strategy due to intense competition, especially in China. The move will give more media attention to newer models, like the upcoming iPhone Air and foldable iPhone.
In a note Monday, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple will launch its second-gen foldable and the “iPhone 19 Slim” with a bigger display in H2 2027.
Most of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 lineup may receive a significant memory upgrade that will power the next generation of Apple Intelligence features, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Thursday. The iPhone Series 17 RAM boost will even come to the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 “Air.”
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest video from Front Page Tech leaker in chief Jon Prosser gives us a closer look at what iOS 19 might look like. Its glossy UI elements and rounder “squircles” for app icons get us pondering the future. And the feud between Prosser and Bloomberg scoop machine Mark Gurman gets us laughing!
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The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro could feature 8K video recording capabilities, bringing a big boost in resolution over Apple’s current models, which max out at 4K 120fps.
8K recording has been a standard feature on flagship Android phones for years, but Apple steered clear of the trend.
We aren’t left wondering what the four models in the upcoming iPhone 17 series will look like — not when a picture of “dummy” units posted Thursday reveals the design of each of them.
These show the rumored move from a camera hump to a camera bar in most of Apple’s upcoming handsets, and the back panel on the two Pro models will employ a new design.
Apple seemingly plans to use 24MP selfie cameras across its entire iPhone 17 lineup. The higher resolution sensor should lead to a noticeable improvement in image quality.
All current iPhone models sport a 12MP TrueDepth camera.
Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air will be more than just a slim new iPhone. A report says “it’s really a new beginning for the iPhone.”
The super-slender device reportedly will pack cutting-edge technologies not used in other iPhones.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max expected this autumn will be 5% thicker than the current version, according to a noted tipster.
But that’s not bad news. The extra bulk supposedly is to allow Apple to build a larger battery into its top-of-the-line iOS handset.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: A new leak of CAD files gives us our supposed first look at the full iPhone 17 lineup. And, looking further into the future, it sounds like Apple ironed out the final wrinkle that was holding back a folding iPhone. We discuss the latest iPhone leaks and rumors, digging into what sounds good and what sounds bad. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for an action-packed gaming experience, Smoke Lara takes you on a thrilling adventure—check out our Guardian of Light iPhone review to learn more.
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Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
A CAD drawing purportedly showing the entire iPhone 17 line leaked out Sunday, possibly giving the world its best look yet at Apple’s entire 2025 handset lineup. The standout in the image is the super-size camera humps on the two iPhone 17 Pro models.
If the drawings prove accurate, the iPhone 17 will receive less of a design change. The rumored iPhone 17 Air also puts in an appearance in the leaked drawing.
And if you’re wondering how to get better camera quality on iPhone, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro’s video upgrades could redefine mobile photography and potentially make traditional cameras obsolete. Read more here.
Apple will reportedly heavily focus on improving the iPhone 17 Pro’s video recording capabilities. The company supposedly wants video creators and vloggers to replace their current dedicated cameras with an iPhone.
To achieve this, Apple is set to introduce significant enhancements to the iPhone 17 Pro’s video recording capabilities.
Apple reportedly will switch to an in-house Wi-Fi chip with the upcoming iPhone 17 series, while the rumored slim iPhone 17 model will be the only device with both Apple’s Wi-Fi chip and the company’s own C1 modem for cellular, GPS and satellite connectivity.
Months before its rumored release, a YouTube video gives us a possible first look at the iPhone 17 Air. The super-slim iPhone seemingly will feature flat sides with rounded corners and a horizontal camera island at the top with a single lens. With its new design and camera setup, recording on iPhone could see significant improvements, making the iPhone 17 lineup a game-changer in mobile videography.
The iPhone 17 Air renders come from FPT, run by a famous iPhone leaker with a mixed track record, Jon Prosser.
Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup will not feature a smaller Dynamic Island as previously rumored. The pill-shaped user interface’s size apparently will remain unchanged.
Apple ditched the notch and switched to the Dynamic Island with the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors indicate the iPhone 17 Pro camera will get a major upgrade. Shocker!
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Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Apple is not the only company reportedly working on a slim flagship phone for 2025. Samsung is also working on one, and a new leak indicates the company’s iPhone 17 Air rival will have a 6.4mm thick waistline.
Despite the slim profile, Samsung’s super-slim Galaxy reportedly will pack impressive specs, including a 200MP rear camera.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air might be slimmer than initially rumored. All reports suggested the phone could have a 6mm thin waistline.
However, a reputed Apple analyst believes the iPhone 17 Air will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
Apple might not make meaningful camera hardware improvements to its Pro iPhones this year. The iPhone 17 Pro will supposedly stick to the same 48MP primary shooter as the current flagship iPhone.
The only notable camera improvement on this year’s iPhone would be the switch to a 48MP sensor for the 5x tetraprism shooter.