iPhone 17 likely to skip major design changes

WEB DESK: Apple is expected to roll out its iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, with modest changes for the base model but notable internal upgrades.

While the iPhone 17 Pro is rumoured to introduce a redesigned rear “camera bar” and a new ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” may replace the Plus variant, the standard iPhone 17 is likely to retain a nearly identical look to the iPhone 16.

Leaked CAD files and prototype images suggest the base model won’t differ much visually from its predecessor, maintaining the same 6.1-inch display. However, performance upgrades appear to be the focus this year.

A key improvement could be a jump in memory. Leaker “Digital Chat Station” claimed in April 2025 that all iPhone 17 models would feature 12GB of RAM—up from the 8GB found in the iPhone 16 lineup. While this would mark a significant increase, other analysts, including Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo, have consistently stated that only the Pro and Pro Max versions will see the RAM boost.

Still, Apple has a precedent for increasing RAM in base models to support software features. The iPhone 16, for example, received an upgrade from 6GB to 8GB to enable its Apple Intelligence AI tools. If the same AI capabilities are planned for the iPhone 17, Apple may need to align hardware across the range to support them—making the RAM increase plausible, even for the standard model.

On the chip front, Apple is expected to debut the A19 processor, possibly built on TSMC’s new 2nm architecture. While the 2nm process promises better efficiency and thermal management, production timelines remain unclear. Trial runs began in mid-2024, but full-scale manufacturing may not start until late 2025.

Even if the standard iPhone 17 doesn’t get the 2nm chip, a performance leap from the current A18 is virtually certain. With hardware primed for more demanding AI features, Apple appears set to shift its focus from design to deeper performance gains this cycle.

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