Apple’s iPhone 17: 17 Potential Features You Won’t Want to Miss

Apple plans its iPhone updates well in advance, often working on multiple future models simultaneously with help from its suppliers. That’s why we often hear about upcoming iPhone features long before the official launch. The iPhone 17 series, expected to drop in September 2025, is no exception.

Whether you’re considering skipping the iPhone 16 or are just curious about what’s coming up, let’s dive into 17 rumored features that could make their way into the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025.

1. iPhone 17 “Air”

One of the most exciting rumors swirling around the iPhone 17 is the potential debut of a new model called the “iPhone 17 Air.” This model is said to have a super-slim design, possibly just 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a new horizontal camera bar at the back, with a single rear camera, and a sleeker version of the Dynamic Island notch.

The 6.6-inch display could replace the current iPhone Plus, and the phone will come with the latest A19 chip, Apple’s in-house C1 modem, an Action button, a dedicated Camera Control button, and a revamped 24MP front-facing camera.

2. Full Aluminum Build

Another big change could be that the entire iPhone 17 lineup, including the Pro models, might sport aluminum frames. If true, this would be the first time Apple uses aluminum across all models in years, as the Pro models have been using stainless steel or titanium lately. The switch back to aluminum could make the iPhone lighter and offer a more consistent feel across the lineup.

3. Major Camera Overhaul

The rear camera design on the iPhone 17 Pro models could get a significant refresh. The familiar square camera bump may be replaced with a horizontal aluminum camera bar that runs across the back, blending seamlessly with the phone’s body color. The new design could be exclusive to the Pro models, while the standard versions might keep the current design. The back of the Pro models would be made of a mix of aluminum and glass to support wireless charging.

This redesign would bring the iPhone closer to its early aluminum-backed models, offering a modern twist on an older design. The updated camera housing will also be more prominent, giving it a bold, standout look.

4. New Display Sizes

Apple might change things up with the display sizes on the iPhone 17. After increasing the Pro models’ display sizes in 2023, Apple could extend the larger 6.27-inch display to the regular iPhone model as well. The model replacing the current iPhone Plus could feature entirely new display dimensions, adding more variety to the lineup’s screen sizes.

5. 120Hz ProMotion on All Models

The iPhone 17 could bring 120Hz ProMotion to the entire lineup. Currently, ProMotion is only available on the Pro models, but the 2025 update could make this feature accessible to all iPhones. This would provide smoother scrolling and video playback, as well as an always-on display feature. With ProMotion, the display could drop down to 1Hz for better battery efficiency, allowing things like the clock and widgets to remain visible even when the phone’s idle.

6. Apple’s Custom Wi-Fi 7 Chip

Apple could introduce its own Wi-Fi 7 chip for the 2025 iPhones, marking the company’s move toward custom wireless technology. This chip would allow iPhone 17 models to transmit data more efficiently across different frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz), improving internet speeds and overall connection stability.

The move to Wi-Fi 7 would also reduce Apple’s reliance on third-party suppliers like Broadcom, who currently provides the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips used in existing iPhones.

7. 48MP Telephoto Lens

The iPhone 17 Pro could get a major upgrade to its telephoto lens, bumping up the resolution to 48MP. This would improve image clarity and detail, making it perfect for shooting high-quality zoomed-in shots. The telephoto lens would also pair well with the Apple Vision Pro headset, though specific integration details haven’t been confirmed.

While the zoom range might be slightly shorter than the current iPhone models, the higher resolution allows for more flexibility in cropping photos without losing quality.

8. 8K Video Recording

8K video recording might finally make its way to the iPhone 17 Pro. While previous models had explored this feature, it didn’t make it to production, but the 2025 iPhones could deliver ultra-high-resolution video capabilities. Recording in 8K would provide users more creative flexibility, like cropping in on the Ultra Wide lens while still maintaining crisp 4K footage. This feature would put Apple on par with competitors like Samsung and Google, both of which have introduced 8K recording.

9. 24MP Front Camera

The front-facing camera on the iPhone 17 could get a huge bump in resolution, moving from 12MP to 24MP. This would result in sharper selfies, with more detail and clarity, especially when cropping or zooming in on a shot. The iPhone 17 could also introduce a six-element lens, further improving the overall quality of front-facing photos and reducing distortion.

10. Scratch-Resistant Anti-Reflective Display

Apple may also introduce a more durable, scratch-resistant display for the iPhone 17, which could feature an advanced anti-reflective coating. This new display technology would be tougher than the Ceramic Shield found on previous models, offering better protection against scratches and reflections. While details on the exact material are unclear, it’s believed that this could be a step up from the current generation of glass used in iPhones.

11. More RAM

For the first time, the iPhone 17 series could come with 12GB of RAM in at least one model. While the Pro Max version is expected to receive the RAM boost, there are whispers that all iPhone 17 models could have this increase. More memory would make the iPhone 17 better at handling multitasking and running advanced AI features, enhancing overall performance.

12. Smaller Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island could also see a change, with rumors suggesting a narrower version of it on the iPhone 17 Pro. This could be due to the use of a smaller metalens in the Face ID system, reducing the size of the front camera cutout and giving the phone a sleeker look.

13. A19 Chipset

As usual, the iPhone 17 will be powered by a new A19 chip, offering even better performance and efficiency. Built using the latest 3-nanometer process, the A19 chip will be more powerful and energy-efficient than its predecessors, pushing the limits of what iPhones can do in terms of speed and processing power.

14. New Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Chip

Apple is expected to introduce a new in-house designed chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in the iPhone 17. This could further reduce the company’s reliance on third-party suppliers, allowing for faster connections and better performance overall.

15. New Thermal Management Design

To keep things running cool, the iPhone 17 could include a vapor chamber heatsink. This tech, commonly found in high-end Android devices, helps evenly distribute heat across the phone, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring smooth performance even during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.

16. Reverse Wireless Charging

Another cool feature on the horizon is reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 17 Pro could potentially charge other Apple devices, like AirPods or the Apple Watch, using a 7.5W wireless charging speed. This would make the iPhone a more versatile charging hub for your other Apple products.

17. Bigger Battery

The iPhone 17 Pro Max could be getting a larger battery. A slight increase in the device’s depth is expected, allowing space for a bigger battery. This would help improve battery life while maintaining the same slim profile as the previous generation.

With these rumored features, the iPhone 17 could take Apple’s flagship devices to a whole new level in 2025. Whether these rumors hold up or not, it’s clear that Apple is working hard to push the boundaries of what its iPhones can do.