iPhone 17 standard model allegedly only poorly equipped
According to an analyst report, the iPhone 17 will be rather unexciting for newcomers. Air and Pro models are reserved for a better inner life.
Standard model of the iPhone 16: Often used by beginners.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch)
A look at the Counterpoint figures for smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2025 shows that Apple's iPhone 16 standard model was the best-selling cell phone in the world. This may also have had something to do with the fact that the device is comparatively attractively priced and, unlike previous generations, comes with the latest chip technology, Apple's A18. However, this might not remain the case with the successor iPhone 17. As the well-known Apple analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities in Hong Kong claims to have heard, Apple is allegedly returning to the old device policy here: the standard model will receive the SoC from the previous year.
Old technology in the iPhone 17?
According to the report, the iPhone 17 will remain equipped with the old A18, manufactured using the second-generation TSMC 3nm process (N3E). The RAM is also said to be only 8 GB as before. Apple would thus differentiate the iPhone 17 more strongly from the other new models, all of which are to receive the newer A19. These are the particularly thin iPhone 17 Air (A19), the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (each A19 Pro with more cores). TSMC is using the third-generation 3 nm process (N3P), which promises slightly better performance and slightly lower power consumption than the previous technology. Apple is currently planning 12 GB of RAM instead of 8 GB, Pu claims.
For years, Apple had made a distinction between its Pro and standard models. The Pro variants not only received improved camera technology with an additional sensor, but also the latest SoC generation. The iPhone 16 was different: the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus received the A18 and the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max the A18 Pro. The main difference: fewer GPU cores. Apple now seems to want to return to the old model for the iPhone 17, although there will probably only be one standard model, as the Plus model will allegedly be replaced by the Air.
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Slightly larger screen
At least there is supposed to be an improvement in the iPhone 17: Renowned display expert Ross Young recently shared on X that he has heard from the supply chain that Apple wants to switch from a 6.1-inch screen to a 6.3-inch model. This screen size is currently used in the iPhone 16 Pro.
As usual, the new iPhone models are expected in September. With the iPhone 17 Air, which may also be given a different name, Apple is making major changes to the form factor for the first time since the iPhone 12 mini.
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