iPhone 17 may be Apple's most daring lineup ever—Here's why
What's the story
Apple appears to be planning a major rebranding of its iPhone lineup with the iPhone 17 series.
As per leaked information, the tech giant could replace its regular Plus and Pro Max variants with two new models: the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Ultra.
The move is in line with Apple's strategy of using the "Ultra" label for high-end devices, following its successful introduction on Apple Watch Ultra in 2022.
Premium features
iPhone 17 Ultra to be Apple's most premium offering
The iPhone 17 Ultra is likely to be Apple's most high-end smartphone yet, with exclusive features that make it stand out from the rest.
Going by leaks from Korean blogging platform Naver, these could be a smaller Dynamic Island, a bigger battery for enhanced capabilities, and a vapor chamber cooling system for improved thermal management.
All these features would reinforce the Ultra's position as the ultimate iPhone in Apple's lineup.
Slim design
iPhone 17 Air to be Apple's thinnest smartphone
The iPhone 17 Air is said to be the successor of the Plus variant, providing a slimmer form factor.
According to reports, the model could be 30% thinner than its predecessor, the iPhone 16. It may measure 5.5mm in thickness.
It is also expected to sport a slightly smaller display at 6.6-inch compared to the Plus's larger 6.7-inch screen size, making it more portable without sacrificing performance.
Lineup
iPhone 17 series to include standard and Pro models
Along with the iPhone 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Air, Apple is also expected to continue with the standard iPhone 17 and the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro models.
These will serve mid-range consumers as well as those looking for top-tier features.
The iPhone 17 will serve as the entry-level model with twin rear camers, Dynamic Island, improved battery life, Action Button, Camera Control button, wireless charging, USB-C, and possibly a 90Hz or 120Hz OLED display.
Design alterations
Leak reveals potential design changes for iPhone 17 series
Tipster Sonny Dickson shared images on X depicting metal dummy models of the rumored iPhone 17 camera designs.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Ultra models are shown with a triple-lens rear camera module spanning the phone's entire width.
In contrast, the standard iPhone 17 appears to retain a dual-lens setup similar to the iPhone 16, with lenses stacked vertically.
The purported iPhone 17 Air will feature a single snapper within a camera bar reminiscent of recent Google Pixel smartphones.
Twitter Post
Take a look at the leaked dummy models
Here’s your first look at the iPhone 17 dummies, Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/WnOjD71Iba
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) March 16, 2025