iPhone 17 Pro: New design to large battery, expected upgrades from Apple

Reportedly Apple is planning to make the iPhone 17 Pro models slightly thicker than their predecessors to accommodate a larger capacity battery

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Apple is expected to introduce significant upgrades with its 2025 iPhone line-up, particularly the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. These Pro models will not only feature aesthetic changes but also pack several hardware enhancements across design, camera, battery, display, and performance.

 

Here are all the upgrades expected for the iPhone 17 Pro models:

iPhone 17 Pro: What to expect

Design

 

Apple is reportedly planning a substantial design overhaul for the iPhone 17 Pro models, especially focused on the rear camera module. Moving away from the square camera bump seen in recent generations, the new design is expected to feature a horizontal camera bar spanning the width of the device. While the camera lens alignment will likely remain the same, the flash and LiDAR sensor could shift to the opposite side.

 

Additionally, Apple may bring back aluminium chassis for the Pro models—a departure from the stainless steel and titanium finishes used in recent Pro model iPhones.

Camera

One of the headline upgrades is expected in the camera system. Both iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max may get an upgraded 48MP telephoto lens, replacing the current 12MP variant. This would make them the first iPhones to feature an all-48MP rear camera set-up, enabling enhanced image quality and potentially unlocking 8K video recording.

 

Although the telephoto lens might offer a reduced 3.5x optical zoom (85mm equivalent) compared to the 5x (120mm) zoom currently on the Pro Max, the higher resolution would allow more flexibility with digital cropping to simulate longer focal lengths.

 

On the front, all iPhone 17 series models—including non-Pro variants—are expected to get a 24MP front-facing camera, a noticeable upgrade from the current 12MP sensor.

 

Battery

 

Apple is reportedly planning to make the iPhone 17 Pro models slightly thicker than their predecessors to accommodate a larger capacity battery. According to a report by MacRumors, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will measure 8.725mm in thickness, compared to 8.25mm for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

 

In addition to the bigger battery, the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to support reverse wireless charging, allowing users to wirelessly charge other Apple devices such as AirPods and Apple Watch directly from their iPhone.

Display

 

According to the MacRumors report, all iPhone 17 models are expected to get a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant". The Pro and Pro Max variants could further benefit from a smaller Dynamic Island cutout, increasing usable screen area.  ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 17: 5 major changes expected from 'Pro models' in the series

Performance

 

iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to be powered by the A19 Pro chipset, built on TSMC’s advanced N3P 3nm fabrication process. 1  Apple may also begin transitioning to its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, replacing those currently sourced from Broadcom. With this, all iPhone 17 models are expected to support Wi-Fi 7.