Apple analyst Jeff Pu has released a new investor note this week, providing deeper insights into what we can expect from the upcoming iPhone 17 series.
There’s also an intriguing update regarding the anticipated design of the so-called iPhone 17 Air…
iPhone 17 rumors: specifications and design
Today’s report from Pu does not introduce many new details regarding the specifications of the iPhone 17. The investor note largely reiterates much of what he has communicated previously, confirming that Apple’s strategies remain unchanged.
On the design front, Pu continues to assert that all iPhone 17 models will utilize a more intricate aluminum design compared to the iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a “significantly narrower Dynamic Island,” whereas the other models will keep the existing design.
The smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 Pro Max is made feasible through “metalens” technology for the proximity sensor, which could considerably shrink the size of the Face ID sensor.
Additionally, Pu mentions that both the A19 and A19 Pro chips will employ a new N3P fabrication process, as opposed to the N3E process used for the A18 chips found in the iPhone 16 models. This shift could lead to enhanced performance and efficiency due to an increase in transistor density on the A19 chips.
It’s worth noting that Apple is not expected to transition to TSMC’s next-generation 2nm fabrication process until 2026.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Slim | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Sep-25 | Sep-25 | Sep-25 | Sep-25 |
| Display | 6.1″ | 6.6″ | 6.3″ | 6.9″ |
| Chip | A19 N3P | A19 N3P | A19 Pro, N3P | A19 Pro, N3P |
| DRAM | LPDD5 8GB | LPDD5 8GB | LPDD5 12GB | LPDD5 12GB |
| Front camera | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP |
| Rear camera | 48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide | 48MP Main | 48MP Main, Telephoto, Ultra Wide | 48MP Main, Telephoto, Ultra Wide |
| Face ID | Structured light | Structured light | Structured light | Structured light, Metalens |
| Casing | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
iPhone 17 Air design rumors
Recently, a rumor from the supply chain indicated that Apple faced technical challenges in its ambitions to implement a thinner battery design for the iPhone 17 Air. While that report hinted at a 6mm thick battery, Pu’s latest report suggests that the iPhone 17 Air itself will have a thickness of 6mm.
“We concur with the recent discussions regarding an ultra-slim design measuring 6mm thickness for the iPhone 17 Slim model,” Pu notes. He also expresses doubts that the iPhone 17 Air will become a “high-volume model” due to the technical trade-offs Apple is likely to undertake to achieve such a slim profile.
The iPhone 6 currently holds the record as Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, coming in at 6.9mm, with the iPhone 6 Plus measuring 7.1mm. The 11-inch M4 iPad Pro is just 5.4mm thick, while the 13-inch iPad Pro model is even slimmer at 5.1mm.
- iPhone 16: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Plus: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Pro: 8.25mm
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.25mm
DMN’s perspective
For now, I would take all of this information with a hefty dose of skepticism. With still 10 months to go before the iPhone 17’s announcement, Apple’s plans could and likely will evolve numerous times during that period. Personally, I’m unsure if the iPhone 17 Air will indeed measure 6mm thin, but I’d be intrigued to see such a development.
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