This fall, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to debut with a host of notable upgrades, including 12 key features eagerly awaited by fans.

Although the official launch of the iPhone 17 Pro series isn’t until September, numerous leaks have already surfaced, revealing what Apple enthusiasts might expect from the flagship duo.

Here are 12 rumored features of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, updated as of May 2025:

1. Aluminum frame
The iPhone 17 Pro lineup may feature an aluminum frame, departing from the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro, and the stainless steel used from iPhone X to iPhone 14 Pro. The rear design is said to combine aluminum and glass for a lighter and fresher look in 2025.

2. Rectangular camera module
Apple is expected to redesign the rear camera module into a large rounded rectangle while retaining the familiar triangle layout of three lenses. For the first time, all three cameras may use 48MP sensors: a main Fusion 48MP, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto lens with Tetraprism technology.

3. Sky Blue color option
Inspired by the new MacBook Air, the iPhone 17 Pro may launch in an elegant and eye-catching Sky Blue finish. Supply chain sources confirm that several prototypes have been produced in this color, which is considered more appealing than the once-popular Sierra Blue from the iPhone 13 Pro.

4. Larger battery
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to be slightly thicker (8.725mm versus 8.25mm on the iPhone 16 Pro Max) to accommodate a larger battery, providing longer usage time - a top priority for many users.

5. A19 Pro chip
Powering the iPhone 17 Pro will be Apple’s next-gen A19 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process. The A19 Pro will likely offer modest performance gains and better energy efficiency. The standard iPhone 17 models may use the A19 chip on TSMC’s enhanced N3P process.

6. Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip
All four iPhone 17 models are rumored to use Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip, replacing Broadcom’s solution. This should deliver faster, more stable connections with improved power efficiency.

7. 24MP front camera
The selfie camera across the iPhone 17 lineup may be upgraded to 24MP - double the 12MP resolution on the iPhone 16. With a six-element lens versus the previous five, this camera promises sharper, more detailed photos, even when cropping or zooming.

8. 48MP rear telephoto lens
The telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro series will reportedly jump to 48MP from 12MP, offering a 3.5x zoom (85mm focal length) instead of 5x. This adjustment aims to enhance portrait and everyday photography with high-res digital cropping capabilities.

9. Dual video recording
According to Jon Prosser (Front Page Tech), the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max may allow users to record video simultaneously with both front and rear cameras using the default Camera app.

10. 8K video recording
Though Apple tested 8K recording on the iPhone 16 Pro, the feature was never released. With all rear cameras now 48MP, 8K video may officially launch on the iPhone 17 Pro series, positioning Apple to compete with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro.

11. 12GB of RAM
The iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and possibly the new iPhone 17 Air could all feature 12GB RAM - an upgrade from the 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro. This will enhance performance, particularly for AI features and multitasking.

12. Enhanced cooling system
All iPhone 17 models are rumored to feature a redesigned internal layout for improved thermal management. The Pro models may include a vapor chamber cooling system - already used in Android flagships - for better heat dissipation and stable performance, especially in thin devices.

The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch this September and may include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. As always, the most powerful upgrades are reserved for the Pro models.

Hai Phong