5 causes I am not excited concerning the iPhone 17...

Apple arguably makes a few of the finest and most dependable smartphones available on the market. With

Samsung’s Galaxy S25
sequence now behind us, focus is starting to maneuver to the Cupertino big. As standard, Apple is anticipated to unveil a brand new technology of its flagship iPhone lineup later this yr.

This yr’s iPhone 17 sequence is rumored to

bring significant changes
to a product line that, frankly, has began to really feel a bit repetitive over the previous few years. And like clockwork, leaks concerning the upcoming iPhones are already circulating, giving us a glimpse at what may be in retailer when Tim Prepare dinner takes the stage this fall.

However regardless of all of the rumored adjustments, I am discovering myself much less excited than standard concerning the iPhone 17 lineup.

5

The rumored design adjustments really feel underwhelming

It is not the improve I hoped for this yr

It has been greater than 4 years since Apple made any main design adjustments to the iPhone. Positive, the iPhone 12 launched straight edges, the iPhone 15 Professional introduced a titanium construct, and the iPhone 16 added a vertical digital camera setup together with a new Camera Control — however nothing has felt actually groundbreaking in a very long time.

And as soon as once more, rumors recommend that Apple is not planning a significant design overhaul this yr both. In keeping with various leaks, the baseline iPhone 17 will retain the identical vertical digital camera format seen on the present iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, then again, are rumored to characteristic a brand new rectangular digital camera module that is bigger than the present sq. setup on the Professional fashions.

Apple can be anticipated to modify up the construct supplies this yr, reportedly moving away from titanium and going with a half-glass, half-aluminum design. In fact, nothing is remaining, and issues might nonetheless change earlier than launch. But when the iPhone 17 Professional appears to be like something just like the leaked renders, it is shaping as much as be one other underwhelming design refresh that looks like change for the sake of change.

Associated

Apple’s iPhone 17 is taking shape, and it looks a lot like a Google Pixel

We’re nonetheless just a few months away from the formal unveiling of Apple’s iPhone 17 sequence, however the rumor mill is already churning – this is what we all know.

4

A thinner iPhone is not what we’d like

It’d even make issues worse

Apple is reportedly dropping the “Plus” mannequin this yr in favor of a brand new iPhone 17 Air. This mannequin is anticipated to be the thinnest iPhone ever, focusing on customers who need an ultra-portable, light-weight gadget. Leaks have already given us a glimpse of simply how slim the iPhone 17 Air may be — and to be honest, it does look fairly spectacular. However I do not actually suppose a slimmer iPhone is what we’d like proper now.

The truth is, I would argue that thickness is the least of the iPhone’s issues nowadays. And if this skinny profile comes at the price of battery life, then we actually have to rethink whether or not this mannequin is smart. Slim telephones typically include different compromises too, like diminished sturdiness and downgraded {hardware} in comparison with different fashions in the identical lineup.

Sure, I do know the “slim smartphone” pattern is choosing up this yr, with even Samsung rumored to be asserting the Galaxy S25 Edge quickly, however I nonetheless have my doubts. I am going to admit, once I tried out Tecno’s ultra-slim phone at MWC 2025, it did blow my thoughts with how skinny it was. But when that thinness comes on the expense of actual usability, then I do not suppose the iPhone 17 Air is for me.

Associated

My 4 doubts about the iPhone 17 Air

It may be good, but it surely may also be an costly compromise.

3

Apple’s massive AI pitch nonetheless hasn’t proven up

I am not shopping for into the hype once more

AI options are an enormous deal in smartphones in 2025. Google has been advertising its Pixel telephones virtually totally round useful AI instruments, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 sequence additionally leans heavily on AI-powered features. Apple, then again, nonetheless hasn’t delivered a lot on this space.

When Apple introduced the iPhone 16 sequence final yr, it promised a protracted checklist of Apple Intelligence options, together with a extra conversational model of Siri and deeper app integration. However months later, most of these features still haven’t arrived — and it does not appear like they’re coming anytime quickly both.

So if Apple plans to hype up the iPhone 17 with much more AI options, I am undecided if I am going to purchase into it as soon as once more. I first have to see the options the corporate already promised final yr to really present up earlier than getting enthusiastic about any new ones.

Associated

Apple is losing the AI race and might never recover

Apple might need already fallen too far behind to make up the hole.

2

Battery and digital camera updates sound minor once more

Nothing that looks like a significant leap

One of many areas the place iPhones have persistently lagged behind Android telephones is battery life. Whereas the iPhone 16 Professional delivered respectable efficiency on this space, it nonetheless does not evaluate to Android rivals just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely and OnePlus 13, each of which additionally help a lot quicker charging speeds.

Apple is rumored to extend the charging pace to 35W with the iPhone 17 fashions, however that is nonetheless slower than what many Android gadgets already provide.

As for the digital camera upgrades, it does not appear like Apple is planning something main this yr. Leaks recommend the principle and ultra-wide cameras will stay at 48-megapixels, whereas the 12-megapixel 5x telephoto lens may be upgraded to 48-megapixels.

Whereas that is a welcome enchancment, it nonetheless looks like Apple is falling behind within the digital camera {hardware} race, particularly in comparison with “Extremely” Android telephones like Xiaomi 15 Extremely and Vivo X200 Extremely, which provide a extra superior digital camera setup.

Associated

Is Apple is falling behind on battery life? It certainly feels that way

In relation to longevity, Apple barely appears eager about competing.

1

My iPhone 16 Professional remains to be going robust

There is no actual cause to contemplate an improve but

I was a type of individuals who upgraded their iPhone yearly. That began to vary a few years in the past once I skipped the soar from the iPhone 14 Professional Max to the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023. In 2024, I gave in and switched to the iPhone 16 Professional, enthusiastic about all the brand new AI options — however ultimately, it did not really feel like a lot of an improve.

iPhones have matured to a degree the place the joy of upgrading has began to fade. Choose up any two iPhones from the previous few years and, until you evaluate them aspect by aspect, there’s actually not a lot of a distinction anymore.

The rumored iPhone 17 adjustments have not impressed me to this point, and with my iPhone 16 Professional nonetheless performing properly, I do not see myself upgrading this yr.

• 

  iPhone 16
  

  This yr’s iPhone 16 line blurs the road between the “Professional” and the base-level iPhone by providing a brand new digital camera button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.

• 

  iPhone 16 Professional
  

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options just a few notable upgrades over final yr’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digital camera button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, an even bigger display screen, and several other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

Nothing concerning the iPhone 17 feels thrilling but

There are nonetheless months to go, and so much might change within the meantime, however based mostly on what we all know to this point, it looks like Apple is taking part in it protected once more with the iPhone 17 lineup. I am going to maintain off on the ultimate judgment till it is official, however for now, I am retaining my expectations low.