What to know
- Recent rumors and reports suggest next year’s iPhone lineup will include an ultra-slim iPhone 17.
- With a slimmer design, a single rear camera, and state-of-the-art A19 chip, the iPhone 17 Slim is expected to be a massive overhaul.
- Apple is also speculated to retire the iPhone Plus model next year, though the experimental slim model is not supposed to be its replacement.
Although details concerning next year’s iPhone lineup are scant, it is already turning out to be one of the highly anticipated phones in recent years. Thanks to rumors and speculations by industry sleuths, the iPhone 17 series could include an ultra-slim model and move away from the recent trend of fat, feature heavy iPhones.
A recent report by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the iPhone 17 Slim will only have a single rear camera. On the other hand, the regular iPhone 17 is expected to include a dual-camera setup, while the iPhone 17 Pro will probably go with the traditional three rear cameras.
Although there isn’t much else to go on in terms of the specifications of the iPhone 17’s camera, details provided by Kuo suggests that the main camera will be a ‘wide camera’. Kuos’ report does detail some other specifications as well. These are as follows:
- Processor – A19 chip
- Screen size – Approximately 6.6 inches
- Screen resolution – Approximately 2,740 x 1,260
- Build – Metal frame
- Camera – Single rear camera (wide camera)
It also appears that Apple is looking to discontinue the iPhone Plus model next year. According to Kuo,
“The Plus model currently accounts for only about 5-10% of total new iPhone shipments. It implies that the other three iPhone models (standard, Pro, and Pro Max) already adequately cover the high-end market segments, making the Plus model redundant.”
Granted, this does not imply that the ultra-slim model is intended to replace the Plus model. Instead, it is a foray into new territory so the company can capture a different segment of the market. The fact that the iPhone 17 Slim focuses on design more than hardware specs is indicative of that as well.
Ultimately, it will all come down to the price tag Apple decides for the iPhone 17 Slim. Some other industry rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Slim could go for as high as $1299, which would make it the most expensive iPhone to date. If that turns out to be true, it’d be a very curious state of affairs. Exactly where it will fit in the lineup and how Apple markets it will determine what the iPhone 17 Slim is supposed to be. Until then, stay tuned for more leaks and rumors.
