In 2025, Apple is expected to phase out the “Plus” iPhone in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for the “Slim” iPhone — though that might not actually be called that when it debuts next fall. Although the launch of the iPhone 16 series is still over two months away, when you consider that we learned about larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro models in May 2023, rumors of an iPhone two generations away are not that unusual. so far ago.
While we wait for this year’s iPhone 16 lineup, here’s a compilation of everything we’ve heard so far from reputable sources about Apple’s so-called “Slim” iPhone 17.
iPhone 17 Slim: It’s still being talked about
Thinner design
According to Information, Next year’s all-new Apple iPhone 17 model will have a “significantly thinner” design with an aluminum chassis, rather than a titanium casing like Apple’s Pro models. The report also claims that the device will feature a narrower Dynamic Island, potentially due to Apple adopting a smaller “metal lens” for the Face ID system. Internally codenamed D23, the redesign of the device has been described as essentially equivalent to the iPhone X.
Smaller display
The first details on the device’s display size have arrived courtesy of Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who said it will be 6.6 inches. However, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, it will have a 6.55-inch display. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display. Apple is said to be still testing different designs for the thinner phone, so the display size could always change between now and the device’s launch.
Relocated cameras
Information claimed that the iPhone 17 “Slim” will have cameras in places we haven’t seen on an iPhone before. According to a May report, the rear cameras could move to the “upper center” of the device. Some Android phones, like Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, have rear cameras in the top center, but Apple’s iPhone camera system has occupied the top left corner since the 2007 model.
Anti-reflective coating
All iPhone 17 models will have an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple’s Ceramic Shield found on the iPhone 15 models, according to Instant Digital of China’s Weibo. The outer glass of the iPhone 17 series is said to have a “super-hard anti-reflective coating” that is “more resistant to scratches”. It’s unclear whether Apple plans to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning’s latest technology matches the rumor.
ProMotion technology
According to The Elec, all iPhone 17 models will feature OLED displays with low-power interconnect board technology, bringing ProMotion to Apple’s non-Pro iPhone models for the first time. ProMotion allows the refresh rate of the display to increase up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and video content when needed. ProMotion also allows the display to scale down to a more energy-efficient refresh rate from as low as 1Hz, which is why iPhone 15 Pro screens feature an always-on feature that displays the clock, widgets, notifications and wallpaper on the lock screen even when the device is locked.
Improved selfie camera
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature a 24-megapixel front-facing camera with a six-piece lens. The iPhone 14 and 15 feature a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with five plastic lens elements, and this year’s iPhone 16 lineup is expected to feature the same hardware. The upgraded resolution on iPhone 17 allows photos to retain their quality even when cropped or zoomed in, while more pixels capture finer details. Upgrading to a six-element lens should also improve image quality slightly.
Internal upgrades
Haitong analyst Jeff Pu claims that the iPhone 17 “Slim” will have 8GB of RAM, compared to the 6GB of RAM on the iPhone 15 Plus. It’s worth noting that all upcoming iPhone 16 models are expected to come with 8GB of RAM – Apple Intelligence’s hardware requirement for the device. According to Informationthe device will also feature the Apple A19 chip.
Higher price
Information announced that the thinner iPhone 17 could have a higher price tag than the Pro Max model, which currently starts at $1,199, suggesting that the device will become the new top model in the lineup and improve upon the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If that’s the case, then perhaps the “iPhone Slim” will finally become the “iPhone Ultra” that has been rumored for years.