Apple's iPhone 17 is expected to launch in just two months. With a steady stream of leaks and rumors circulating, here's a comprehensive breakdown of the most exciting - and least compelling - features of the upcoming iPhone lineup.

Top-tier expectations: The iPhone 17 Air is arguably the most thrilling leak of 2025, marking Apple’s first major design overhaul in years. Users who’ve tried Samsung’s ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge have praised its light, comfortable feel - expect Apple to bring a similar experience to the table.

New orange color option: Leaks suggest the iPhone 17 Pro will debut an orange color variant, likely leaning towards a muted copper tone. It’s a fresh departure from the existing color palette and something iPhone fans haven’t seen before.

24MP front camera: Improved selfies and sharper FaceTime video? No complaints here. A 24MP front camera is rumored to appear across all iPhone 17 models.

12GB RAM on Pro and Air models: The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air are expected to come with 12GB of RAM - up from 8GB. More RAM means smoother performance, especially for gaming and future AI-powered features.

Massive battery for iPhone 17 Pro Max: According to leaks, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could feature the largest battery ever in an iPhone, possibly around 5,000mAh. This would push usage time beyond the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 33-hour benchmark.

iPhone 17 Pro Max to deliver essential upgrades: Standard iPhone 17 models are rumored to return with green and purple color options - two shades absent in recent releases.

Larger display: The base iPhone 17 is expected to feature a 6.3-inch screen, matching the Pro variant’s size.

120Hz ProMotion display for all models: All four iPhone 17 models may finally receive Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate - a major leap for non-Pro devices.

Dual-material design on Pro models: Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro will sport a dual-material back with more metal and less glass. A less fragile iPhone is always a welcome upgrade.

48MP telephoto lens: The Pro and Pro Max may receive a new 48MP telephoto lens, significantly improving zoom photography.

A19 and A19 Pro chips: The iPhone 17 and 17 Air could be powered by the A19 chip, while the Pro models may feature the A19 Pro. Both chips are based on 3nm technology and promise greater speed and efficiency.

Improved thermal system: Better heat dissipation is expected for the entire iPhone 17 series, allowing the A19 chips to perform faster with fewer overheating issues.

Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant screen coating: The iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro may introduce a display coating that reduces glare and resists scratches - a smart upgrade for screen durability.

Horizontal camera bar: Both the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Air are rumored to feature a horizontally aligned camera bar. While Apple’s final design may look sleeker than leaks suggest, the large protruding module remains divisive.

Pro Max display upgrade: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumored to feature a premium new display technology, though specifics remain unclear.

From titanium to aluminum: Apple may drop titanium in favor of aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro models. While lighter, it’s arguably a downgrade in terms of premium feel.

C1 modem on iPhone 17 Air: While most models will use Qualcomm modems, the iPhone 17 Air may be equipped with Apple’s in-house C1 modem. However, it lacks mmWave 5G support, meaning slower top-end 5G speeds.

Relocated Apple logo: With a larger camera module, dual-material design, and updated MagSafe system, the Apple logo on Pro models might be repositioned lower, sitting within the MagSafe ring - a shift some users may find visually jarring.

Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip: All four models will likely use Apple’s custom Wi-Fi 7 chip. While this reduces dependency on suppliers and improves battery efficiency, most users won’t notice a major performance difference.

Mechanical aperture on iPhone 17 Pro: The Pro model may feature a mechanical aperture for manual light control - similar to DSLR cameras. However, with Apple's existing software-based depth-of-field effects, its real-world utility on a smartphone remains to be seen.

8K video recording: iPhone 17 Pro may support 8K video. While technically impressive, very few users currently need 8K footage, and storage demands are enormous - possibly requiring external SSDs.

Potential price increase: iPhone 17 prices may rise due to tariff impacts and increased production costs in China and other regions. While not confirmed, it’s a real possibility.

Bland color options for iPhone 17 Air: Expected colors for the iPhone 17 Air include black, white, light blue, and pale yellow - the latter resembling the light blue of the M4 MacBook Air. Overall, a rather uninspired palette.

Single rear camera on iPhone 17 Air: Due to its ultra-thin frame, the iPhone 17 Air may feature only a single rear camera - eliminating ultrawide capabilities and reducing photo versatility.

Small battery for iPhone 17 Air: The sleek design comes at a cost: battery size. Even with Apple’s optimizations, the Air’s battery life is unlikely to match that of the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro.

8GB RAM for base iPhone 17: Leaks suggest the base iPhone 17 will stick with 8GB RAM, while other models jump to 12GB. Given the pace of AI integration in smartphones, 8GB may feel limiting for a 2025 flagship.

Hai Phong