Even if the iPhone 16 series is yet to arrive in September 2024, we already have some idea about the iPhone 17 expected features and leaks. Well, that’s the ever-growing craze around iPhones! If you’re planning to save for an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, I guess you should take some more time. I’ve summed up 5 exciting iPhone 17 leaks that will make you skip iPhone 16, or ponder over your excitement, at least. So, before you make up your mind and arrive at any decision, check out what’s tipped for the iPhone 17 series, which is likely to arrive in September 2025.
1. 120Hz Always-on Displays Across the Lineup
If you’re planning to buy an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus model, this might break your heart. Apple has been unapologetically slow when it comes to upgrading hardware on its iPhones. Also, when it launches something exciting, those fancy upgrades are exclusive to the top-of-the-line Pro models. This year, Apple is likely to continue the “60Hz display” trend with the iPhone 16 series. Right from the iPhone 6 models that were launched back in 2014, Apple hasn’t moved on from the 60Hz displays. Even 10 years later, Apple isn’t ready to make a transition across its entire lineup. Neither I can nor I want to understand Apple’s fascination with ancient 60Hz displays.
Apple introduced the LTPO technology on the iPhone 13 Pro models to enable the ProMotion feature. Then, it enabled a lower refresh rate to introduce Always-on displays on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The Pro models got a nice, much-needed upgrade, with the standard models still crying in the corner. This year, Apple will launch the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with the outdated 60Hz displays only. So, if you’re planning to buy one, we might want to reconsider and wait for a year or splurge on the flagship iPhone 16 Pro models.
Interestingly, with the iPhone 17 series, Apple is rumored to bring the 120Hz ProMotion Always-on Display technology across its entire iPhone lineup. Yes, the long wait will finally come to a nice end. As per the latest reports, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus will boast OLED displays with the LTPO technology, marking the arrival of ProMotion displays on the vanilla iPhone models.
The ProMotion display tech will allow iPhone 17 and 17 Plus to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth scrolling and transitions, whenever necessary. Also, the display can move down to a power-efficient 1Hz refresh rate, allowing for an Always-on display that shows glanceable information like date & time, lock screen widgets, and more, even when the device is locked. This is unarguably one of the biggest reasons to wait for next year’s iPhone 17 and 17 Plus models.
2. Bigger Vanilla Models
Right from when the iPhone 16 news and leaks first surfaced on the horizon, there were rumors that Apple had plans to revamp the size of its flagship models. This year, Apple is likely to launch the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max with bigger display sizes. The iPhone 16 Pro is rumored to go from 6.12 inches to 6.27 inches. Whereas, the maxed-out iPhone 16 Pro Max is tipped to be the largest-ever iPhone with a massive 6.86-inch display. For reference, the current iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.69-inch display.
Next year, Apple is expected to extend these size changes across its iPhone 17 vanilla models. Now, this means we’ll see a 6.27-inch iPhone 17 and a 6.86-inch iPhone 17 Plus. Of course, the Pro models will also align with these display changes. As a result, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature a taller aspect ratio of 19:6:9, which means we’ll see an array of devices that are taller, rather than wider. Apple fanboys who love bigger iPhones would definitely be happier to see the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus in 2025.
Moving on, if you’re excited about the iPhone 16 design and overall looks, you might be disappointed. The iPhone 16 series will lack major design changes and improvements, according to the Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He believes only the additional Capture button and larger displays on Pro models will be the only notable changes in the 2024 iPhone models. So, if you were waiting for drastic alterations, the iPhone 16 isn’t gonna be your best bet.
3. Edge-to-Edge Screen Experience
Imagine an iPhone with a complete edge-to-edge screen experience with no notches. Gorgeous, right? Well, this imagination might turn into reality with the iPhone 17 Pro models. I know this feature was previously teased for the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, but sadly, that’s not happening. An embedded Face ID underneath the iPhone’s display has been in the works for some time now. I have heard about this feature numerous times in the past.
The display analyst Ross Young initially believed that the Under-Display Face ID technology would make its debut with the iPhone 16 Pro models. After some time, he changed his stance and said this feature has been pushed to 2025 iPhones.
The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are expected to be the first iPhones to rock an under-display Face ID. With the Face ID components hidden under the display, we’ll get to enjoy an edge-to-edge screen with no notches. The only external indication of the Face ID would be a circular cutout for the selfie camera. This is definitely one of the most exciting iPhone 17 Pro features that will make you skip the iPhone 16 Pro models this year.
4. 24 MP Front Camera Upgrade
While Apple made amazing upgrades to the rear camera, the selfie camera remained the same. Apple launched the iPhone 11 with a dual rear camera housing a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. There was a 12 MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. Last year with the launch of iPhone 15 series, Apple made a huge, surprising transition to the 48MP wide camera sensor on the vanilla models. The Pro models already have this sensor since the iPhone 14 Pro models.
Thank goodness, Apple might turn the cards in its favor in 2025. With the iPhone 17 series, Apple is expected to ditch its obsession with the 12MP selfie camera found on current models. We might see a 24MP/6P selfie camera across the entire iPhone 17 series. The upgraded 24-megapixel resolution will allow me to capture high-quality selfies with finer details, even when cropped or zoomed in. Not to forget, the upgraded six-element lens should also enhance the overall image quality.
In my opinion, this is gonna be one of the prime reasons to forget about the iPhone 16 and buy the iPhone 17 when it arrives in 2025. I mean, I would definitely do this. I would rather wait a year to get myself an iPhone 17 with a 120Hz ProMotion display and 24 MP selfie camera than buy an iPhone 16 with the aged 60Hz display and 12MP front camera. Or, I might plan to buy an iPhone 17 Pro if Apple breathes life into the under-display Face ID technology.
5. The iPhone Ultra
The much-rumored iPhone Ultra has been in the news for almost a year now. Launched with the iPhone 11 series, the iPhone Pro Max is Apple’s highest-end model. It’s anticipated that the giant has plans to come up with a new top-end signature model. The iPhone Ultra would sit at the top, over the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models. Initially, the iPhone Ultra was expected to arrive with the iPhone 15 series. Unfortunately, that was a no-show.
Then, there were rumors that Apple would definitely add an Ultra model to its iPhone 16 series. Again, due to unknown reasons, we don’t see this happening this year. Also, the early iOS 18 codes didn’t provide any references to the iPhone 16 Ultra’s existence. The code contains references to four models, which possibly are iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.
Interestingly, Apple might surprise its iPhone superfans in 2025. The iPhone 17 series is expected to offer the much-rumored iPhone Ultra model with top-notch specs. It is tipped to arrive with a faster chip, a bigger display, camera upgrades, and possibly even the much-buzzed port-less design, meaning, no Lightning or USB-C ports. Well, these aren’t just dreams. Apple has already done with its smartwatch lineup. The giant launched an Apple Watch Ultra, its high-end Apple Watch that offers top-notch specs at an additional cost.
So, if you’re waiting for the iPhone 16 Pro Max thinking it would be the highest-end Apple flagship, you might want to hold on for now. The iPhone 17 series might bring the flagship killer of your dreams.
Are you planning to buy an iPhone 16 model? Do you think it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 17? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below.
