While we’re expecting a similar iPhone release in September, whispers suggest Apple may make significant upgrades in 2025, mirroring changes in fashion trends. Rumors are swirling about a forthcoming addition to the iPhone family, with whispers suggesting that this new device will shatter price records as the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever produced.
New ‘Slim’ Design
While rumors circulate about Apple’s latest release being dubbed the “iPhone 17 Slim,” it’s unlikely the tech giant will adopt this moniker. The term “slim” specifically alludes to the device’s more svelte and slender profile.
Apple trimmed nearly 1 mm from the thickness of its 12.9-inch iPad Pro model, achieving the thinnest device in the company’s history to date? By 2025, Apple is expected to focus intensely on a sleek, minimalist iPhone design, with the next-generation device reportedly set to be significantly slimmer than current models.
While we lack concrete details on Apple’s exact approach to crafting its new iPhone, insights gleaned from the 5.1mm-thin iPad Pro suggest a similar blueprint for future iPhone designs.
The iPhone 17 Slim is expected to span dimensions ranging from approximately 6.1 inches to 6.7 inches, bridging the gap between its predecessors. Rumors have been swirling around Apple’s plans for its next iPhone model, with some speculating it may be smaller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the anticipated larger variant.
While Apple has employed titanium in their premium iPhone models since last year, speculation suggests that the iPhone 17 Slim may feature a more affordable aluminum body instead. Rumors initially suggested the device would replace the “Plus” iPhone in Apple’s lineup, potentially offering an alternative to the professional range. However, subsequent reports imply it may be a high-end iPhone that eclipses the Professional Max in terms of price and capabilities?
Rumors suggest a striking resemblance between the prospective iPhone 17 Slim and Apple’s iconic 2017 iPhone X design. The iPhone X represented a groundbreaking leap forward in innovation, released concurrently with the traditional iPhone 8 models.
We’re likely to see the release of iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new premium iPhone 17 Ultra model, marking the complete elimination of the Plus variant from Apple’s lineup. Although it’s unconfirmed, the iPhone 17 Slim may potentially cost more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which starts at a price of $1,199 from Apple.
Relocated Cameras
The upcoming iPhone 17 is expected to feature a significant upgrade to its dual-camera setup, boasting a thinner and lighter design alongside this major enhancement. Rumors suggest that iPhone cameras could be relocated from their traditional top-left corner placement to the upper-middle portion, potentially resulting in a design similar to the Google Pixel.
The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a distinctive, raised band along its rear facade, which houses a triumvirate of cameras, a cutting-edge laser-detection autofocus sensor, and a precision-crafted flash module.
While Apple persists in refining design options for iPhone 17, a recent shift in camera placement poses intriguing possibilities.
Show Enhancements
The ProMotion technology showcasing adaptability to adjust refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz is expected for all iPhone models by 2025, including the flagship device; however, the more significant news is that Apple allegedly employs a unique, proprietary low-power display controller.
The newly developed coating boasts enhanced anti-reflective capabilities and superior scratch resistance compared to its predecessor, the Ceramic Defend coating. According to rumors, this component has been referred to as a “super-difficult-to-refract coating”.
Since 2020, Apple has leveraged its innovative Ceramic Shield technology, a cutting-edge innovation that revolutionizes the way screens are designed and protected. Developed in collaboration with industry leader Corning, this innovative ceramic-glass hybrid material marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of cutting-edge technology. Corning has enhanced its protective glass products, achieving a reduction in reflectivity of up to 75 percent while also boosting drop protection and scratch resistance. With a long history of collaboration with Apple, Corning might create a comparable technology to Gorilla Glass for the tech giant’s devices, filling the potential void left by the Samsung-focused development of Gorilla Armor.
Elevated Smart Camera Experience: Sophisticated Selfie Capabilities and Adaptive Island Insights
A significantly smaller version of the iPhone is expected to debut with the forthcoming iPhone 17 model, which will occupy much less display space. Rumors surrounding under-display technology have persisted for years, with potential breakthroughs expected as early as 2025.
While there may be a slight gap and a pill-shaped notch for the front-facing camera, it’s unlikely that this will significantly hinder Apple’s pursuit of an all-screen design.
As part of the Dynamic Island redesign, Apple is reportedly upgrading its front-facing camera to a 24-megapixel sensor, potentially representing a significant improvement over the current 12-megapixel selfie camera. The advanced six-element lens is designed to deliver exceptional image clarity, significantly enhancing picture quality. This enhanced resolution allows you to capture more detail and crop into your images without compromising on quality.
Sooner Chips
While uncertainty surrounds the iPhone 17 series’ processor supply, we anticipate the A19 chip to be built on a refined 3-nanometer process, bolstering performance and efficiency. Apple typically enhances its iPhones by integrating faster and more eco-friendly processor innovations each year, prompting anticipation for the cutting-edge chip available in the iPhone 17 Slim model scheduled for release in 2025.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is working on 2nm chips, but mass production isn’t expected until the end of 2025, which may come too late to support iPhone 17 models? If productivity accelerates, a potential shift may occur. Compared to chip expertise, a 2nm fabrication process may bring a 10-15% speed boost at the same power level or a 25-30% power reduction at the same pace.
While advancements in manufacturing technology may not yield identical performance gains from one node size to another, incremental improvements can still be expected from transitioning to a 3-nanometer process. As Apple prioritizes advancements in artificial intelligence, its dedicated Neural Engine for machine learning applications is likely to benefit from enhancements.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is currently working on its N3P process, with plans for mass production scheduled to begin in late 2024. With the introduction of 3nm chips, specifically the N3P variant, manufacturers are now able to reap benefits from enhanced efficiency and increased transistor density.
The highly anticipated iPhone 17 series is expected to boast a substantial memory boost, with rumors swirling around 12GB RAM capabilities, particularly in the premium iPhone 17 Slim model. Currently, the maximum amount of RAM available reaches 16 gigabytes.
Learn Extra
As Apple typically launches new iPhone models in the fall, here’s what you can expect from the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025. As a go-to destination for staying abreast of the latest developments, our roundups provide a comprehensive and timely compilation of fresh rumors, serving as a valuable tool for tracking shifts in the rumor landscape over time.
