Forget the iPhone 16 – big iPhone 17 news has already leaked

The rumour mill never rests when it comes to Apple’s iPhones.

The iPhone 16 series has just been released, but whispers about the iPhone 17 are already being heard. As Apple is notoriously secretive, these early leaks and rumours only add to the excitement.

If you want to know why you should wait for the iPhone 17, here’s a round-up of everything we know so far about the entire lineup. Remember, however, that nothing is set in stone until Apple announces it.

When will the iPhone 17 be released?

Apple typically unveils its new iPhone lineup in September, often on the Tuesday of the second week. Based on this pattern, we can expect the iPhone 17 to be announced around 9 September 2025. 

Here’s a look at the release dates of recent iPhones: 

• iPhone 16: 9 September 2024
• iPhone 15: 12 September 2023 
• iPhone 14: 7 September 2022 
• iPhone 13: 14 September 2021 
• iPhone 12: 13 October 2020 (delayed due to Covid) 

Pre-orders usually open on the Friday following the announcement, with devices shipping a week later. Occasionally, specific models may experience slight delays due to production issues. 

How much will the iPhone 17 cost?

Pricing details for the iPhone 17 remain speculative. However, according to the leaker Ice Universe on Weibo, the ‘Plus’ model might be replaced by a new ‘Slim’ model, which would be priced higher than the Pro Max. 

The speculated pricing is as follows: 

• iPhone 17: 6.27-inch LTPO display, A19/8GB ($799/£799) 
• iPhone 17 Pro: 6.27-inch LTPO display, A19 Pro/12GB ($1,099/£1,099) 
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.86-inch LTPO display, A19 Pro/12GB ($1,199/£1,199) 
• iPhone 17 Slim: 6.65-inch LTPO display, A19/8GB ($1,299/£1,299) 

If these rumours hold true, we could see a notable increase in the overall cost of the iPhone lineup, with the Pro model’s price rising by $100 and a new high-end model surpassing the Pro Max. 

What specs and features will the iPhone 17 have?

Design

One of the most intriguing rumours is the introduction of a new ‘Slim’ model, which would be a higher-end variant positioned above the Pro Max. This model is expected to have a larger screen and a thinner body. 

Analyst Jeff Pu (via 9to5mac) was the first to report this change and The Information later reported on the ‘Slim’ model, stating that it would be a new, even higher-end model that sits above Pro Max in the lineup, and which would feature a centred rear camera and a smaller Dynamic Island. 

There are no details yet about the colour options for the iPhone 17 series. 

Apple could introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 could measure in at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches, which would make it the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro. 

Rumours suggest that Apple plans to eliminate the Plus model in 2025, so there may be only a single lower-cost device, and at 6.3 inches, it would be between the size of the current 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. 

Display

According to The Elec, all models in the iPhone 17 lineup are expected to feature LTPO displays, with sizes varying between 6.27 inches and 6.86 inches. The always-on display, previously exclusive to Pro models, is also rumoured to become standard across all versions. 

Additionally, ProMotion technology, which allows for smoother scrolling and animations, may also be included in non-Pro models for the first time. 

Apple is also said to be working with Corning on a new anti-glare and scratch-resistant glass for the iPhone 17 lineup. That rumor comes from the account Instant Digital on Weibo. 

In a more recent post, prolific Chinese leaker Ice Universe also claims that the standard iPhone 17 will feature an LTPO display for the first time, boasting a 120 Hz variable refresh rate, similar to many recent Android flagships. 

This could indeed pave the way for always-on display support, although Apple may still reserve this feature for the Pro models. 

Performance

According to Ice Universe on Weibo, the iPhone 17 is expected to be powered by the new A19 chip, with Pro and (alleged) Slim models featuring the A19 Pro variant. 

As per a report from a Chinese site CTEE, Apple is planning to introduce 2nm chips for its iPhone 17 lineup in 2025, with these advanced chips expected to be featured exclusively in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. 

The chips might be produced by TSMC, although the Taiwanese company is currently facing production challenges due to low yields from the new 2nm process technology. Despite these issues, however, Apple has reportedly secured TSMC’s entire 2nm capacity. 

Trial production is set to begin in Q3 2024, allowing TSMC to stay competitive in the chipmaking market against rivals like Samsung and Intel. 

A rumour from GSMArena suggested that all iPhone 17 models would come with 12GB of RAM, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo clarified that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature 12GB, while the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus/iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and the upcoming iPhone SE will stick with 8GB of RAM. 

Among the 2025 new iPhone models, only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the following specifications:

1. 12GB DRAM (while the ultra-thin iPhone, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and SE4 will all have 8GB). Enhanced on-device AI capabilities will likely be a major selling point for…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 29, 2024

Despite Apple’s efforts to develop its own 5G modem, the iPhone 17 series will likely still rely on Qualcomm for cellular connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 support is also anticipated. 

Cameras

In January, Ming-chi Kuo suggested a significant upgrade to the front-facing camera, with all models featuring a 24Mp sensor, compared to the current 12Mp selfie camera. 

In more recent research (via MacRumors), analyst Jeff Pu has supported the speculation from Kuo. Pu’s note for investment bank Haitong also included a chart indicating a 24Mp front-facing camera with a 6P lens for the series. 

Although the launch is a year away and plans could change, the consistency in reports suggests a high likelihood of the 24Mp selfie camera feature. 

In another Medium post, Kuo also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a 48Mp wide camera, a 48Mp ultrawide camera and a 48Mp tetraprism telephoto camera, which will make it the first iPhone to feature three 48Mp cameras. 

The Chinese leaker Ice Universe also claims that the Pro versions of the iPhone 17 will include three 48Mp cameras covering wide, telephoto and ultrawide angles. 

Battery & Charging

There is limited information on battery improvements, but the thinner design of the Slim model could indicate advancements in battery technology or more efficient power management. Faster charging capabilities are also a possibility. 

Software

The iPhone 17 will undoubtedly come with the latest iOS version, probably iOS 19 by that time, likely featuring new functionality and improvements in user experience. 

Apple Intelligence is expected to play a significant role too, necessitating the increase in RAM. 

That’s all we know at this point about the iPhone 17 series. While we wait for more news, check out what the brand-new iPhone 16 series has to offer and where to buy it.