Rumours: Aluminium body, A19 pro chip and a traditional fall launch for iPhone 17 pro

Are you excited? iPhone has again created hype among the audience with its upcoming iPhone 17 pro leaks earlier this year. As per the latest information the upcoming model is touted to showcase more upgraded specifications. Apple’s iPhones have consistently set the pace, redefining the boundaries of technology and design.

With the rumours of the much-awaited iPhone 17 pro around the corner, rumours suggest that the flagship smartphone is set to debut with a sleek, redesigned aluminium frame, an expanded camera island, and the cutting-edge A19 Pro chip. Meanwhile, Apple’s 2025 lineup could also welcome the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, blending style with performance.

Although the iPhone 16 series is still fresh and a top seller, tech analysts and Apple enthusiasts are already buzzing with speculation about the iPhone 17 lineup. The iPhone 17 Pro, in particular, is rumoured to bring major design changes, performance boosts, and camera enhancements. From a sleek aluminium frame to an enlarged camera island and the powerhouse A19 Pro chip, here’s what whispers suggest about Apple’s 2025 flagship.

More aluminium and less titanium?

In 2023, Apple introduced titanium-bodied iPhones with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, promising enhanced durability and a lighter feel. Reports suggest Apple may return to aluminium frames for the iPhone 17 Pro. According to industry analysts like Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Pro could feature a hybrid aluminium and glass design, replacing the current all-glass back. This shift aligns with Apple’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030, as aluminium has a lower carbon footprint than titanium.

The iPhone 17 Pro is also rumoured to showcase a sleek dual-tone finish, with a darker, enlarged camera island that contrasts with the rest of the body — signalling both aesthetic and functional updates for the 2025 flagship. Another key expectation for the iPhone 17 Pro is a slight thickness bump in the Pro Max model. According to leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could measure 8.725mm — up from the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 8.25mm. While the change may seem minor, it could give Apple room to pack in a larger battery, potentially boosting overall battery life.

Replace DSLR - 48-megapixel telephoto lens and more

The iPhone 17 Pro is rumoured to bring a significant camera system overhaul. According to tipster Jon Prosser, the device could feature a wide-spanning camera island across the back, with three lenses on the left and an LED flash, LiDAR scanner, and microphone on the right. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to upgrade the lenses to deliver pro-level photography and videography. The goal? To make the iPhone 17 Pro powerful enough for creators to replace bulky camera gear with just their phone for high-quality video production.

Speculation suggests the Pro model might get a 48-megapixel telephoto lens — a huge jump from the current 12-megapixel sensor. Plus, all four iPhone 17 models are expected to sport a new 24-megapixel front camera, promising sharper, more detailed selfies.

The cutting-edge upgraded A19 Pro

Inside, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to pack Apple’s most advanced smartphone chip yet — the A19 Pro. Built on TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process, this next-gen chipset promises blazing-fast performance and improved energy efficiency, enabling smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and enhanced gaming experiences. The iPhone 17 Pro is also rumoured to feature a bump to 12GB of RAM, up from the current 8GB in Pro models. This boost in memory would make the device even more capable of handling demanding apps and complex workflows without breaking a sweat.

Will Apple do away with Qualcomm?

Apple has been steadily working to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm by developing its in-house cellular modems. The iPhone 16e debuted with Apple’s custom C1 modem, though it currently lacks mmWave support, limiting 5G connectivity to sub-6GHz bands. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is already developing an upgraded C1 modem with mmWave support, promising better power efficiency and faster transmission speeds. However, this enhanced modem might not be ready in time for the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. As a result, Apple may stick with Qualcomm modems for its 2025 flagship to ensure stable, high-speed 5G connectivity.

September launch expected

The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September, following Apple’s usual fall release schedule. Despite regular upgrades, Apple has maintained steady launch prices in recent years. The iPhone 17 is anticipated to start at INR 79,000, while the iPhone 17 Pro could debut at INR 1,20,000. Rumours also suggest Apple might phase out the iPhone 17 Plus in favour of a new iPhone 17 Air, designed with a slimmer profile. While pricing details for the Air remain unclear, it’s speculated to cost around INR 89,900 — similar to the base model of the iPhone 16 Plus.

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