Apple's iPhone development roadmap spans several years, and the corporation is constantly working with suppliers on multiple successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we occasionally see rumored feature leaks so close to launch. The iPhone 17 series is no exception, and we already know what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.
If you're planning on skipping next year's iPhone 16, or if you're just interested, here are five speculated features that we hope to see in time for its replacement, the iPhone 17 series, which is expected to be introduced in September 2025.
48MP Telephoto Lens (iPhone 17 Pro Max)
An enhanced 48-megapixel Telephoto lens on Apple's most expensive iPhone is likely to be tuned for usage with Apple's forthcoming Vision Pro headset, which is planned to be introduced in the United States in early 2024, as per MacRumors.
The current iPhone 15 Pro models have 48-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and 12-megapixel telephoto lenses. This would make 2025's "Pro Max" the first iPhone to have an entirely 48-megapixel rear camera system, allowing it to capture even more photographic detail.
Apple-Designed Wi-Fi 7 Chip (iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max)
For the first time, Apple's premium models are slated to include an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip. With Wi-Fi 7 support, the "Pro" models would be able to send and receive data simultaneously over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands with a certified router, leading to higher Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more dependable connectivity.
The Wi-Fi chip would also allow Apple to minimize its reliance on third-party suppliers such as Broadcom, which now provides a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for iPhones.
Under-Display Face ID (iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max)
The iPhone 17 Pro is likely to be the first iPhone to include Face ID under-panel technology. A circular notch for the front-facing camera will most likely be the only external sign of the under-display Face ID technology, according to AppleMagazine.com.
This is likely to be Apple's final premium model with a circular cutout for the front-facing camera. For a truly "all-screen" appearance, Apple is projected to use under-display cameras in 2027's "Pro" iPhone models.
120Hz ProMotion/Always-on Display (iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus)
In 2025, Apple plans to add ProMotion to its regular models, allowing them to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for better navigation and video content. Notably, ProMotion would allow the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus displays to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, enabling an always-on display that could show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device was locked.
Larger Standard Devices (iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus)
The display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max for next year are expected to increase from 6.12- and 6.69-inches to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. Apple is planning to deliver larger 6.27- and 6.86-inch display sizes to its two basic iPhone models the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus in 2025. As a result, the entire iPhone 17 lineup is expected to have a taller aspect ratio of 19.6:9, implying that the devices will be slightly taller rather than broader.
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