I popped into the Verizon retailer the opposite day and noticed a startling variety of individuals shopping for a brand new iPhone 16. It took all the things in me to not chime in with, “Are you certain you do not need to wait and see what Apple has deliberate for the iPhone 17?”
With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, it could possibly be a good concept 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 have no official specs or options, however here is the way it might examine to the iPhone 16, in keeping 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 entire iPhone 17 lineup, from the Professional fashions to what could possibly be a thinner “Air” model (which can be Apple’s reply to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge). However I will give attention to the baseline iPhone 17.
Display variations
One of the vital extremely anticipated adjustments could possibly be that the iPhone 17 provides a 120Hz show, which might be very welcome. Presently, solely the iPhone Professional fashions have that increased refresh charge, whereas the baseline and Plus fashions are caught with a 60Hz show. Bumping that refresh charge might additionally immediate Apple to carry the always-on show to the baseline mannequin, making it simpler to shortly 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 stories counsel that function will solely be out there on the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, not the baseline iPhone 17 (or the Air). So there might not be main discrepancies between the iPhone 16 and 17 on that entrance.
Digital camera variations
It is attainable the iPhone 17’s selfie digicam will get a bump to 24 megapixels, as an alternative 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 pictures however whether it is an improve, that would make taking selfies or taking pictures movies for social media on the front-facing digicam much less of a compromise.
There’s additionally been some dialog concerning the digicam bump on Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. It is doubtless that solely the Professional fashions’ cameras can 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 the same digicam 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 entire lineup, other than the iPhone 17 Air, which might have a titanium body to make it lighter.)
There have additionally been stories that the iPhone 17 will use a brand new compact “metalens” know-how for the proximity sensor, which might scale back the dimensions of the Face ID sensor and the Dynamic Island. That would give barely extra actual property to the highest of the 17’s show.
Processor and RAM
One key component that would 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 broaden its Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, it is attainable the iPhone 17 lineup might include 12GB of RAM as an alternative of the present 8GB — or at the very least a part of it might.
In April, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned 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 increased quantity too. In Might, analyst Jeff Pu famous the baseline would stay at 8GB. We’ll have to attend to see what Apple finally decides.
Talking of Apple Intelligence, a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Energy function arriving with iOS 26 might help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take a bit longer,” in keeping with Apple. The following iPhone is anticipated to reach with the upcoming working system onboard however you will additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into out there publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.
Colour choices
What’s on the within could also be most essential however individuals additionally need to know what enjoyable colours the iPhone 17 might sport. Rumors counsel the upcoming system might are available in black, blue, silver, purple and inexperienced.
For comparability, the iPhone 16 is obtainable in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
Every thing we expect we all know concerning the iPhone 17 continues to be simply hypothesis so we’ll should see what Apple unveils this fall.
Do you have to purchase an iPhone 16 now or watch for the iPhone 17?
In the event you’re in determined want of a brand new cellphone and might’t wait any longer, who am I to cease you? However should you can dangle tight till September, when Apple is anticipated 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 worth on older fashions by about $100.)
It is doubtless the adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 can be comparatively modest. Apple tends to debut newer options on its Professional fashions earlier than finally rolling them out throughout the total 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 doubtless 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 largest adjustments might arrive subsequent yr with the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone, for which Apple is reportedly “making ready a serious shake-up” of the cellphone’s design, in keeping 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 could not even be introduced but but it surely’s by no means too early to be wanting even additional forward.
