I popped into the Verizon retailer the opposite day and noticed a startling variety of folks shopping for a brand new iPhone 16. It took all the things in me to not chime in with, “Are you positive you do not wish to wait and see what Apple has deliberate for the iPhone 17?”
With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, it might be a good thought to hold tight and both purchase the brand new cellphone or get the iPhone 16 at a reduced worth. Apple nonetheless hasn’t confirmed the existence of the iPhone 17, and we haven’t any official specs or options, however here is the way it might examine to the iPhone 16, in accordance with rumors and hypothesis.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17: Key rumored specs in contrast
We nonetheless have no confirmed particulars concerning the iPhone 17 however that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning and purported leaks from making the rounds. Hypothesis extends throughout your complete iPhone 17 lineup, from the Professional fashions to what might be a thinner “Air” model (which can be Apple’s reply to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge). However I will concentrate on the baseline iPhone 17.
Display screen variations
One of the extremely anticipated adjustments might be that the iPhone 17 provides a 120Hz show, which might be very welcome. At the moment, solely the iPhone Professional fashions have that greater refresh price, whereas the baseline and Plus fashions are caught with a 60Hz show. Bumping that refresh price might additionally immediate Apple to convey the always-on show to the baseline mannequin, making it simpler to rapidly look on the time and your notifications with out waking your show.
There’s been some back-and-forth on whether or not the iPhone 17 can have a scratch-resistant, antireflective show. However the newest studies counsel that characteristic will solely be accessible on the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, not the baseline iPhone 17 (or the Air). So there will not be main discrepancies between the iPhone 16 and 17 on that entrance.
Digital camera variations
It is attainable the iPhone 17’s selfie digital camera will get a bump to 24 megapixels, as a substitute of the present 12 megapixels discovered within the iPhone 16’s front-facing shooter. Megapixels aren’t the one figuring out issue for good-quality images however whether it is an improve, that might make taking selfies or taking pictures movies for social media on the front-facing digital camera much less of a compromise.
There’s additionally been some dialog concerning the digital camera bump on Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. It is probably that solely the Professional fashions’ cameras will likely be nestled in a brand new, bigger panel that stretches horizontally throughout the again of the cellphone (maybe evoking the “Geordi Visor” on the Google Pixel 9) and that the baseline will preserve an analogous digital camera association to the iPhone 16. Solely time will inform.
Design variations
Rumors counsel that just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 can have an aluminum body. (In actual fact, it is attainable that’ll be the case for your complete lineup, aside from the iPhone 17 Air, which might have a titanium body to make it lighter.)
There have additionally been studies that the iPhone 17 will use a brand new compact “metalens” expertise for the proximity sensor, which might cut back the scale of the Face ID sensor and the Dynamic Island. That might give barely extra actual property to the highest of the 17’s show.
Processor and RAM
One key factor that might stay unchanged throughout each telephones is the processor. The iPhone 17 is rumored to pack an A18 chip, identical to the iPhone 16.
With Apple’s plans to increase its Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, it is attainable the iPhone 17 lineup might include 12GB of RAM as a substitute of the present 8GB — or not less than a part of it might.
In April, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated the iPhone 17 Air and Professional fashions would sport 12GB of RAM however that Apple was nonetheless deciding whether or not to equip the baseline mannequin with that greater quantity too. In Could, analyst Jeff Pu famous the baseline would stay at 8GB. We’ll have to attend to see what Apple in the end decides.
Talking of Apple Intelligence, a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Energy characteristic arriving with iOS 26 can assist preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take just a little longer,” in accordance with Apple. The following iPhone is predicted to reach with the upcoming working system onboard however you may additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into accessible publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.
Colour choices
What’s on the within could also be most vital however folks additionally wish to know what enjoyable colours the iPhone 17 might sport. Rumors counsel the upcoming system might are available black, blue, silver, purple and inexperienced.
For comparability, the iPhone 16 is offered in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
Every part we expect we all know concerning the iPhone 17 continues to be simply hypothesis so we’ll must see what Apple unveils this fall.
Do you have to purchase an iPhone 16 now or anticipate the iPhone 17?
For those who’re in determined want of a brand new cellphone and may’t wait any longer, who am I to cease you? However in case you can cling tight till September, when Apple is predicted to announce the iPhone 17, you’ll be able to both rating the flashy new system or get a reduction on the iPhone 16. (In earlier years, the corporate dropped the value on older fashions by about $100.)
It is probably the adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 will likely be comparatively modest. Apple tends to debut newer options on its Professional fashions earlier than ultimately rolling them out throughout the complete lineup, prefer it did with the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max and the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. So any shiny new capabilities will probably land on its extra premium telephones first, such because the rumored antireflective show and redesigned cameras on the iPhone 17 Professional fashions.
However maybe the most important adjustments might arrive subsequent 12 months with the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone, for which Apple is reportedly “getting ready a serious shake-up” of the cellphone’s design, in accordance with Bloomberg. That features a (long-rumored) foldable model and a “daring new Professional mannequin that makes extra intensive use of glass.” The iPhone 17 might not even be introduced but however it’s by no means too early to be trying even additional forward.
