This year promises to be significant for the iPhone, introducing an intriguing new iPhone SE 4 in the spring and an ultra-sleek iPhone 17 Air in the fall. But what’s in store for Apple’s flagship Pro models? Here are seven exciting features expected in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max this September.
24MP Selfie Camera
Each year, Apple enhances its camera technology, with major advancements often focused on the rear cameras.
However, with the entire iPhone 17 series, Apple is set to upgrade the front camera from a 12MP sensor to an entirely new 24MP sensor, which is expected to significantly enhance selfie quality.
It’s time for the front camera to rival the quality of the iPhone’s rear camera.
A19 Pro Chip
Once again, Apple is set to equip its new iPhones with an upgraded A-series chip, specifically the A19 Pro chip this year.
This top-tier silicon will be exclusive to the 17 Pro and Pro Max models. The upcoming 17 Air will feature the standard A19 chip, similar to the base iPhone 17.
12GB RAM: A First for iPhone
The rise of AI has made RAM increasingly vital in Apple’s devices. iPhone 15 users know this all too well, as RAM restrictions impacted the device’s compatibility with Apple Intelligence.
Apple intends to elevate the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max with 12GB of RAM—the highest ever offered in an iPhone.
This marks a notable 50% increase from the 8GB found in the 16 Pro, while the standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air will still be limited to this amount.
Apple’s Proprietary Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Chip
Apple has been diligently working on two of its own modems: one for 5G and another for Wi-Fi. Both initiatives are nearing realization.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to utilize Apple’s new combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, likely extending to the rest of the range as well.
However, only the 17 Air will receive Apple’s proprietary 5G modem, while the Pro variants will continue to rely on Qualcomm’s advanced modem for another year.
Enhanced ‘Rectangular’ Camera Bump
Similar to the advancements made with the 16 Pro models earlier this year, Apple appears to be focusing on optimizing its Pro line for photography.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a larger rectangular camera bump, likely facilitating new functionalities.
It seems the upper section of the Pro models may show a full-width aluminum design, while the lower half will maintain its standard glass back for wireless charging.
Redesigned Aluminum Frame
This is a particularly intriguing change: the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will sport a newly designed frame, swapping titanium for aluminum.
Given that Apple only recently introduced titanium in the Pro models in 2023, this transition back to aluminum raises some questions. We will need to wait for Apple’s explanation regarding this shift.
Enhanced Cooling with Vapor Chamber
Lastly, the entire lineup is anticipated to benefit from improved cooling systems, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max leading the charge through a vapor chamber coupled with a graphite sheet.
This move undoubtedly signifies the importance of Apple Intelligence for the iPhone’s future. AI requires not only more powerful chips and additional RAM but also superior cooling to maintain optimal performance.
Wrap-Up of iPhone 17 Pro Features
The anticipated features of the iPhone 17 Pro further reinforce my belief that choosing a device this year will be more challenging than ever.
The ultra-sleek iPhone 17 Air certainly piques interest. However, there may be too many advantages to sticking with the Pro for those users.
What features of the iPhone 17 Pro are you most looking forward to? Do you intend to purchase the 17 Air or remain with the Pro? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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