In 2025, Apple is expected to phase out the iPhone ‘Plus’ device in its iPhone 17 range to make way for the ‘Slim’ iPhone – although it may not actually be called that when it debuts in autumn next year. Although the launch of the iPhone 16 series is still more than two months away, considering that we learned about larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro models as early as May 2023, rumors of two generations of iPhones are not all that unusual forward in time.
As we await this year’s iPhone 16 lineup, here’s a compilation of everything we’ve heard from reputable sources so far about Apple’s so-called “Slim” iPhone 17.
iPhone 17 Slim: Rumors so far
Slimmer design
According to The information, Apple’s all-new iPhone 17 model next year will have a “significantly slimmer” design with an aluminum chassis instead of a titanium body like Apple’s Pro models. The publication also claims that the device will feature a narrower Dynamic Island, potentially due to Apple’s adoption of a smaller “metallens” for the Face ID system. Internally codenamed D23, the device’s redesign is described as basic, equivalent to the iPhone X.
Smaller display
The first details on the device’s display size came courtesy of Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who said it would be 6.6 inches. However, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, it will feature a 6.55-inch display. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display. Apple is said to still be testing different designs for the slimmer phone, so the display size could always change between now and the device’s launch.
Moved cameras
The information claims that the iPhone 17 “Slim” will have cameras in places we haven’t seen before on an iPhone. According to a report from May, the rear cameras could be moved to the “top center” of the device. Some Android phones like Google’s Pixel 8 Pro have rear cameras in a top-center position, but Apple’s iPhone camera system has occupied the top-left corner since the 2007 model.
Anti-reflective coating
All iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple’s Ceramic Shield found in the iPhone 15 models, according to Chinese Weibo leaker Instant Digital. The exterior glass of the iPhone 17 series is said to have a “super-hard anti-reflective layer” that is “more scratch resistant.” It’s unclear if Apple plans to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses on its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning’s latest technology matches the rumor.
ProMotion technology
According to Elec, all iPhone 17 models will feature OLED displays with low-power backplane technology, making ProMotion available on Apple’s non-Pro iPhone models for the first time. ProMotion allows the display to increase to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when needed. ProMotion also allows the display to scale down to a more energy-efficient refresh rate of up to 1Hz, which is why iPhone 15 Pro screens feature an always-on capability 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 6-element 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 iPhone 17’s improved resolution will allow photos to retain their quality even when cropped or zoomed in, while the higher pixel count will capture finer details. Upgrading to a six-element lens should also slightly improve image quality.
Internal upgrades
Haitong analyst Jeff Pu claims that the iPhone 17 “Slim” will feature 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 equipped with 8GB of RAM, an Apple Intelligence hardware requirement for the device. According to The informationthe device will also be equipped with Apple’s A19 chip.
A bigger price
The information reported that the slimmer iPhone 17 could be priced higher than the Pro Max model, which currently starts at $1,199, suggesting the device will become the new top-of-the-line model in the lineup, edging out the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If that’s the case, then perhaps the “iPhone Slim” will turn out to be the “iPhone Ultra” that has been rumored for several years.
