Apple’s iphone launches consistently capture global attention, and anticipation is already building for the rumored iPhone 17 series, expected in September 2025. Recent leaks and reports paint a picture of a significant refresh for Apple’s flagship smartphone lineup. Unlike the more incremental updates seen with some previous models, the iPhone 17 appears poised to introduce key design enhancements across multiple variants, alongside notable internal upgrades. Experts and leakers suggest 2025 could bring substantial visual and functional shifts, setting the stage for the future of the iPhone.
Standard iPhone 17 Sees Screen Size Increase
One of the most notable design changes rumored for the standard iPhone 17 centers on its display. According to reports from sources like leaker Digital Chat Station, which align with earlier analyst predictions from Ross Young, the screen size is set to grow. The current iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch display. Leaks indicate the standard iPhone 17 will enlarge its screen to match the size previously reserved for Pro models, reaching 6.3 inches.
This increase marks a departure from the 6.1-inch size that has characterized the base iPhone models for several generations. While a larger screen offers a more immersive viewing experience, it also means users upgrading from an iPhone 16 will need new cases. The slightly altered dimensions of a 6.3-inch device compared to its 6.1-inch predecessor will likely make existing cases incompatible.
Display Refresh Rate: 120Hz Without ProMotion?
Display technology goes beyond just size. Rumors about the iPhone 17 display initially hinted at the long-awaited arrival of ProMotion technology on the standard model. ProMotion, which offers a dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz, provides smoother scrolling and animations while conserving battery life by slowing down the rate when static content is displayed. It also enables features like Always-On Display.
However, more recent leaks suggest a slight deviation from this hope. While the iPhone 17 display is expected to move beyond the current 60Hz, it may implement a fixed 120Hz refresh rate rather than the dynamic ProMotion found on Pro models. This would still be a significant upgrade for users coming from older 60Hz iPhones, finally bringing high refresh rate visuals to the base tier. Yet, retaining dynamic ProMotion exclusively for the Pro lineup reinforces it as a key differentiator.
Sharper Selfies Incoming
Beyond the display, the front-facing camera on the standard iPhone 17 is also rumored to receive a substantial upgrade. Current models typically feature a 12-megapixel selfie camera. Leaks suggest the iPhone 17 will double this resolution, incorporating a 24-megapixel front sensor.
This resolution bump is significant. A 24MP front camera would capture much sharper images, improving detail for selfies and video calls. It would also provide more flexibility for cropping photos without a major loss in quality. This seems to be a general trend across the lineup, with similar upgrades rumored for the Pro models as well.
The Mysterious iPhone 17 Air: A Unique Design
Adding intrigue to the 2025 lineup is the rumored introduction of a new, super-slim model, potentially dubbed the iPhone 17 Air. This variant is expected to feature a design distinct from the rest of the series, particularly regarding the front camera and Face ID sensor placement.
According to leaker Majin Bu, the iPhone 17 Air will uniquely position its front camera and associated Face ID sensors on the left side of the Dynamic Island. In contrast, the iPhone 16 series and the expected iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models reportedly place these components on the right side of the Dynamic Island. This left-side placement appears to be exclusive to the slimmer ‘Air’ model.
Strategic Placement Explained
The reasoning behind this unique camera placement on the iPhone 17 Air is believed to be twofold. Firstly, the slim design of the phone may necessitate rearranging internal components to accommodate the Face ID module effectively. Secondly, Majin Bu suggests this move could be a strategic step by Apple. Positioning the camera further left could potentially pave the way for a more compact or differently shaped Dynamic Island in future iPhone generations.
Evidence supporting this specific rumor has emerged in the form of leaked screen protector images attributed to Majin Bu. These images clearly show a circular cutout for the front camera positioned left-of-center on the protector designed for the purportedly slimmer iPhone 17 model, while protectors for the other expected models show the cutout on the right. While the long-term strategic design logic might be debated, the leak suggests this specific, unique camera shift is a strong possibility for the ‘Air’ variant.
Uniformly Thin Bezels Across the Board?
Beyond individual model tweaks, the entire iPhone 17 series could see a significant aesthetic improvement: thinner bezels. Rumors suggest Apple is aiming for uniformly super-thin bezels across all models in the 2025 lineup. This would create a more edge-to-edge display appearance, enhancing immersion.
Achieving ultra-thin bezels, particularly the bottom bezel, is technically challenging. Reports indicate Apple may employ advanced Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology to shrink the borders effectively. If successful, this would lend a sleeker, more modern look to the entire range, from the standard model to the potential new ‘Air’ and the high-end Pro variants.
The future of the Dynamic Island itself remains a topic of speculation. While some hope for its eventual removal in favor of under-display sensors, current leaks and analysis suggest Apple is likely to retain the Dynamic Island for the foreseeable future. The company reportedly views it as a key design element and interactive feature, suggesting it may evolve rather than disappear entirely in the short term.
Other Potential Upgrades & Context
While design is a major focus of recent leaks, other potential upgrades for the iPhone 17 series have also surfaced. For the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max, rumors include an even larger 6.9-inch display with an anti-reflective coating, a powerful new A19 Pro chip (likely 3nm), increased RAM (potentially 12GB), enhanced cooling (possibly a vapor chamber), and Wi-Fi 7 support. Camera upgrades on the Pro Max could include a new 48MP telephoto lens and the same 24MP selfie camera rumored for the standard model. These premium features are also expected to contribute to a potential price increase for the Pro Max variant.
The expected software running the iPhone 17, iOS 26, is anticipated to bring its own set of changes, including a rumored “Liquid Glass” visual overhaul. However, a key piece of context for the iPhone 17’s launch is the expected delay of major Apple Intelligence AI features and a revamped Siri until sometime in 2026. This means the iPhone 17, at launch, may not immediately feature the full suite of AI capabilities Apple has discussed, potentially impacting the initial user experience regarding advanced smart features.
Despite these AI delays, other unannounced iOS 26 features might still arrive, such as Live Translation for AirPods or seamless Wi-Fi login sharing across devices. The base iPhone 17 production is reportedly already underway in India, signaling that development is progressing on schedule towards the typical September launch window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main design changes rumored for the standard iPhone 17?
Recent leaks suggest the standard iPhone 17 will feature a larger 6.3-inch display, increasing from the 6.1-inch size of previous base models. Additionally, the front-facing selfie camera is expected to see a significant resolution bump from 12-megapixels to 24-megapixels, offering sharper photos and better cropping capabilities.
Which iPhone 17 model might have a different front camera placement?
According to leaker Majin Bu, the rumored new “super-slim” model, potentially called the iPhone 17 Air, is expected to have its front camera and Face ID sensors positioned on the left side of the Dynamic Island. This is a unique layout compared to the expected placement on the right side for the standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max variants.
Will the iPhone 17 display finally feature ProMotion?
While the iPhone 17 display is rumored to move beyond the current 60Hz refresh rate, leaks currently suggest it will likely implement a fixed 120Hz rate rather than the dynamic ProMotion technology found on Pro models. ProMotion is still expected to remain exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max variants, preserving it as a premium feature.
Conclusion
Based on the latest wave of leaks and expert analysis, the Apple iPhone 17 series appears set for a more dramatic design refresh than some recent iPhone generations. A larger display and higher-resolution front camera for the standard model, the potential introduction of a uniquely designed, super-slim “Air” variant with an unusual camera placement, and the possibility of uniformly thin bezels across the entire lineup all point towards significant visual changes.
While high-end Pro Max models are also rumored to receive substantial internal and external upgrades, the reported updates to the base iPhone 17 address key areas like screen size and selfie quality. The status of ProMotion and the expected delay in major AI features via iOS 26 temper some enthusiasm, but overall, the leaks paint a compelling picture. The iPhone 17 is shaping up to be a visually refreshed device aiming to modernize the standard iPhone experience and potentially introduce an entirely new form factor. As the expected September 2025 launch approaches, more details will undoubtedly surface, clarifying which of these rumored changes will make it into the final product.
