The tech industry is currently waiting for the launch of the iPhone 16, which will likely take place in early September 2024. While the iPhone 16 launch is drawing closer, rumours about the 2025 iPhone are also swirling, suggesting even more exciting upgrades for future iPhones. Speculation suggests that although Apple will introduce significant upgrades with its iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 17 will bring some pretty big changes, including new display technology and a potential new iPhone 17 Slim.

Let’s take a detailed look at the rumors about Apple’s 2025 flagship product lineup.

Is the iPhone arriving slim?

One of the most talked about potential changes with the iPhone 17 is the rumoured discontinuation of the iPhone Plus variant. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may phase out the Plus model due to its poor performance in sales. Reports suggest that Apple has seen less than 10% of yearly sales in its Plus model, so the Cupertino giant may discontinue the Plus and introduce a new variant instead, which could be tentatively named “iPhone Slim” or “iPhone Air”.

This new slim iPhone model is expected to be incredibly thin, potentially setting new standards for smartphone design. While the exact dimensions are still unknown, the Slim is speculated to be the thinnest iPhone ever, possibly rivaling the current iPhone SE, which is 0.29 inches thick. Notably, Apple has already introduced its thinnest device with the iPad Pro, which is around 0.20 inches, and we could see this rumoured iPhone being around the same thickness. The materials of the iPhone 17 are also said to be upgraded and may include a “titanium-aluminum alloy frame”, which will likely provide sturdiness to this thinner device without compromising its sleek profile.

A19 chip

At the heart of the iPhone 17 lineup will be Apple’s new A19 chip – a successor to the A18 chip that is expected to debut with this year’s iPhone 16 series. It is speculated that this A19 chip will be made by the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer TSMC using a 2-nanometer process. This new chip is said to bring improvements in performance, energy efficiency, and thermal management.

However, the development of the A19 chip has raised some questions. While early reports suggested that mass production of 2-nanometer chips would begin in 2025, recent leaks indicate a possible delay. This discrepancy has left the tech community debating whether the iPhone 17 will actually be the first iPhone to feature this new chip.

Alongside the A19, the iPhone 17 Pro models are also expected to see a memory upgrade, with up to 12GB of RAM hinted at.

Thin Motherboard

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a new type of motherboard in the iPhone 17. This motherboard is rumored to be developed using resin coated copper (RCC) technology. This technology will allow the company to make motherboards thinner and more efficient to produce, potentially reducing production costs and improving the overall build quality of the device.

Performance upgrades

The iPhone 17 may also see changes in display technology. Reports suggest that with the iPhone 17, the displays on Apple’s flagship phones could be even more scratch-resistant, possibly incorporating a new type of glass being developed by Corning. Additionally, there are rumours that Apple may expand the always-on display feature, which is currently exclusive to the Pro models, to the entire iPhone 17 lineup.

There is also speculation about ProMotion technology, which offers smoother scrolling and better responsiveness across all models.

Bigger and better cameras

The iPhone 17 is also expected to have the most significant changes to the camera system. Apple is rumored to be experimenting with adjustable apertures, potentially allowing users to manipulate depth of field directly from the camera interface. This feature, which is likely reserved for higher-end models, could enhance portrait photography and video capabilities.

In addition, the iPhone 17’s front-facing camera is also expected to double in resolution, moving to a 24-megapixel sensor, which will offer improvements in selfie quality and video call clarity. However, the iPhone Slim model could be an exception, with rumors suggesting it may only have a single rear camera to maintain its ultra-thin form factor.