It seems that in the entire history of the existence of Apple smartphones, I only missed the next update twice and did not launch a new iPhone in the first weeks after the start of sales.
The first time was, as I remember now, during the time of the iPhone 5S, which did not really impress the owners with simple “fives”. The second time happened relatively recently, when I did not switch from iPhone 13 Pro Max to iPhone 14 Pro Max, waiting for the next generation with a lot of new features.
And now it’s the end of 2024, the current iPhone model has serial number 16, and I’m still using the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting for next September, when Tim Cook and company will show the world the new, seventeenth version of their smartphone.
Will it have that same Apple magic that will make you want to replace your “tag” with the iPhone 17 Pro? I have collected all the more or less true rumors about the upcoming new product and propose to evaluate them with you.
1. Titanium case
This could be the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro or 17 Pro.
Previously, there were rumors that in the iPhone 17, engineers would highlight the titanium frame around the body, which would have an impact, as was the case with the iPhone 14. However, a few days ago, an insider, Instant Digital, which periodically includes accurate information, said that according to its data, “ proshkah “” the titanium case remains.
Allegedly, Apple will not give up more premium material to ensure a high level of performance in the smartphone.
As the owner of an iPhone 15 Pro with a titanium frame, I can say for sure that this material is much more reliable and stronger. I understand: my smartphone has already fallen several times, and even from the stairs, without any consequences. Almost all of the previous aluminum iPhones had dents on their edges after being dropped, and one was even seriously bent.
Is a titanium case worth it to upgrade to a new iPhone? Yes, if you have one of the aluminum versions from iPhone X to iPhone 14.
Since I also have such a titanium “proshka,” nothing has stirred in my soul yet.
2. Aluminum backing of the camera block.
Glass or aluminum platform under the camera? Who cares?
According to Wayne Ma of The Information, the back of the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a new design, including a rectangular camera bump made from unconventional 3D glass.
To be honest, I don’t really believe in the global changes visualized by subsequent iPhones. Most often, Apple deviates from the traditional placement of camera “eyes” in the form of a triangle and makes them, for example, “three in a row.”
Therefore, this update also in no way makes you want to immediately want a new firmware. On the camera ledge, few people actually pay attention to what it was made of there, in my opinion. And this does not affect the perception of the smartphone as a whole – be it aluminum, glass, plastic or meteorite iron. Well, this detail is not visible, especially if the smartphone is in a case.
So this point is also a failure. Let’s look further.
3. New A19 Pro chip
Faster, more powerful, more productive.
I can already imagine how, at the September presentation, someone from Apple management says with delight in his voice that “completely new chip» 27% faster search.
The iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to use Apple’s next-generation A19 Pro chip, which will be manufactured using a new 3nm process at TSMC’s fabs.
For the average user, this breakthrough in technology goes unnoticed. Well, tell me, which of the modern iPhones is slow? Or maybe not open some game? Or a file? It seems that processor power has long ceased to be one of the key indicators of a smartphone, because there are no applications in the App Store that could really show the full performance of the new chip.
So the new chip is ok, but I don’t think my iPhone 15 Pro will be any less fast than the new iPhone in constant use. “Cart“It definitely won’t load faster.
Is it worth upgrading for the A19 Pro chip? Yes, if you’re using something older like an iPhone 12, 13 Pro max. For owners of more recent models (and for me) this will definitely not be a deciding factor for buying the 17 Pro.
4. Updated cameras.
The cameras will look the same.
According to Apple analyst Jeff Pu, all four iPhone 17 models will feature an improved 24-megapixel front-facing shooter. I don’t know, maybe seasoned tiktokers and bloggers have already started saving money at this moment, but my iPhone now has a 12 megapixel front camera, and this is more than enough for video calls and selfies.
In the iPhone 16, by the way, the front camera also has a resolution of 12 megapixels, although this smartphone is positioned by Apple as a camera phone for shooting professional video.
If you’re a selfie aficionado, this update gently builds your case for buying a future iPhone. But I don’t belong to this group of self-lovers.
Ming-Chi Kuo also claims that the iPhone 17 Pro will have an improved 48-megapixel telephoto camera, as opposed to the 12-megapixel telephoto camera in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Perhaps at the presentations we will be shown even cooler pictures taken on an iPhone. However, do not forget about the amount of additional equipment, army equipment and retouchers that are behind each such advertising photo.
For me, I’m still pleased with the photos I took with the iPhone 15 Pro. I definitely don’t want to upgrade for the sake of one improved camera.
5. More RAM
The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are rumored to have 12GB of RAM. That’s double what my iPhone 15 Pro currently costs.
However, we all know why this upgrade is needed. Apple will install it on its II, and for faster and smoother operation, Apple Intelligence will add 8 GB of memory to iPhones. Regular applications and games are unlikely to launch or work any faster. They work great on 8GB too.
That is, the main update in the form of a new chip and RAM is aimed specifically at the stable operation of Apple Intelligence, which, let’s be honest, is not particularly relevant in Russia in principle, because there is no support for the Russian language in this neural network and is not expected in the foreseeable future.
6. Smaller Dynamic Island
Yay for innovation!
Jeff Poole, already familiar to us, reported that this change is happening exclusively on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In the largest flagship iPhone, the size of the Dynamic Island will be much smaller than consuming some “metalens» for Face ID to work.
Well, less and less. Anyway, everyone who is annoyed by the presence of a black design will also be annoyed finer black appearance. I don’t see any difference.
Personally, rather than being off-putting, I like Dynamic Island. And it’s not serious to play with its size; just remove it completely, while retaining all the Face ID functions – this is the innovation I’m waiting for. In the meantime, a radically reduced update is not suitable.
And what is the result? Not really yet
These are all rumors about new iPhones, which were shared by the most respected insiders, who had many true predictions regarding Apple technology. To say that I am not at all impressed is to say nothing. So far I’m frankly disappointed, because there’s not a single hint of “wow!” that makes you want to get a new iPhone by any means necessary.
In fact, the iPhone 17 Pro will be a minor update to the current iPhone 16 Pro. Which, in turn, is not too different from the iPhone 15 Pro, whose authority I am currently representing.
It’s a pity, but so far there is no desire to start wanting a new iPhone. Perhaps after the new year new rumors will be brought in, among which the one that generates the wow effect will appear. But I don’t count on it too much, looking back at the iPhones of the last few years.
Although, I secretly really hope that Apple will finally come up with something that will make me really want to buy the new iPhone 17 Pro.
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
