For sword wielders and assassins brandishing daggers, the Blade Skill in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered determines how much damage players will deal with these bladed weapons. As players level it up with the hope of maxing it out at 100, they will unlock new passive effects on top of the increased damage.

The day action fans have been waiting over four years for has finally arrived: The Raid franchise mastermind Gareth Evans’ new action movie, Havoc, has finally dropped. The Netflix original — made under Evans’ deal with the streamer, which also resulted in the Dan Stevens-starring horror-mystery Apostle — stars Tom Hardy and is already, in my view, the standout in a strong crop of 2025 action movies. It’s also a slight stylistic departure for Evans, although the motivated camera movement, visceral violence, and ambitious long takes that helped make the Raid movies so iconic are still very present. While large portions of the Raid movies featured essentially nonstop action, Havoc more closely follows the “heroic bloodshed” model that late-1980s Hong Kong action movies employed. Heroic bloodshed movies typically emphasize gunplay over hand-to-hand combat, feature crime and gangster-focused storylines, and have tons of blood, but are also notable for their deeply emotional themes and character arcs. Havoc really feels like Evans’ John Woo movie, which is exactly as good as it sounds. It’s shockingly well-constructed emotionally, touching on themes of redemption and love, while also delivering on the hard-hitting action you want from an Evans project. And no surprise, when the director shared on an Instagram story about nine of the movies that deeply inspired Havoc, multiple all-time Woo classics made the cut. (That IG story is no longer up, but you can see Evans and Hardy talk more about Havoc influences with Letterboxd.) Here are some of the movies that influenced Havoc and where to watch them. Hard Boiled Where to watch: YouTube or a physical copy A stone-cold heroic bloodshed classic that influenced dozens of action movies that followed, Hard Boiled is a jazzy, stylish entry in the vaunted history of John Woo/Chow Yun-fat collaborations. It was one of the first John Woo movies I ever watched (although it was his last in Hong Kong before taking his talents to Hollywood), and while I personally prefer A Better Tomorrow (which you can find on Dailymotion), there’s no denying the thrills and influence of Hard Boiled, including one of the most impressive extended takes in action movie history. The Killer Where to watch: Hopefully you have a physical copy A few years before Hard Boiled, Woo and Chow teamed up for The Killer, a moody masterpiece strongly influenced by Le Samouraï. Chow plays a professional assassin who accidentally blinds a nightclub singer during a job, and decides to devote himself (and his skills) to pay for her medical treatment. You may notice that many of these movies aren’t available on traditional streaming services, but The Killer in particular is nearly impossible to find. It isn’t available to digitally rent or stream anywhere; The Criterion Collection’s version is out of print; and the last physical copy released in the States was a 2010 DVD on The Weinstein Company’s Dragon Dynasty label. Thankfully, Shout! Studios purchased the worldwide rights to 156 Hong Kong movies from this era in January, including Woo’s movies, and digital restorations are planned, so hopefully that situation will change soon. Woo remade The Killer for Peacock in 2024, putting a fresh spin on the story while retaining his singular sense of action design. It doesn’t match up to the original, but nothing really can, and it is a fun watch if you’re looking for a new version of Woo’s heroic bloodshed. Full Contact Where to watch: The Internet Archive or a physical copy Here’s a bloody crime story about betrayal, vengeance, and a weapons heist gone wrong where Chow Yun-fat teams up with the other major heroic bloodshed director of this era of Hong Kong action, Ringo Lam. Like with Woo, Chow worked on many movies with Lam, and Full Contact is a stellar entry in their partnership. In many ways, Lam’s heroic bloodshed movies are a mirror image of Woo’s — darker, sleazier, and unabashedly loud when contrasted with the elegance of Woo’s gun battles. But both directors are in the upper, upper echelon of the pantheon of great action directors when it comes to an innate understanding of space and precise depictions of extreme violence. My Heart Is That Eternal Rose Where to watch: Criterion Channel A Hong Kong actioner with a more romantic spin, My Heart Is That Eternal Rose comes from director/editor Patrick Tam (a collaborator of Hong Kong legends Wong Kar-wai and Johnnie To). It follows a young couple who are forced to part ways after a job gone wrong, and what happens when they stumble upon each other again years later. Tony Leung Chiu-wai won Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for his turn in this one, which was co-shot by legendary cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love). Beast Cops Where to watch: The Internet Archive or a physical copy Beast Cops follows the complicated friendship between a police officer (Anthony Wong) and a gangster (Michael Wong). Like Havoc, it has a dark and gritty focus on the criminal underworld, and how that world easily intersects with that of the police. Beast Cops won a ton of Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor. The Longest Nite Where to watch: YouTube or a physical copy Tony Leung plays a corrupt cop who lives a secret life as a gang enforcer, now attempting to negotiate terms between faction leaders in the midst of a gang war. A bleak crime thriller co-directed and written by the great Johnnie To, The Longest Nite brings the noir influences of this era of Hong Kong cinema to the forefront. Hong Kong Godfather Where to watch: Dailymotion or a physical copy Former Shaw Brothers star Wang Lung-wei moved to directing in 1985, and the bloody gangster drama Hong Kong Godfather was one of his first projects behind the camera. In this one, a retired gangster seeks revenge when his former boss is betrayed and killed and his daughter is kidnapped. While many movies from this era prioritize gunplay over martial arts, this one leans more into the latter (and both are present in Havoc). The Wild Bunch Where to watch: For digital rental/purchase on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home As the one non-Hong Kong movie on this list, The Wild Bunch stands out, but it is arguably the movie that most deeply influenced this era of Hong Kong cinema. An extremely controversial movie when it was released in 1969 because of its amoral cast of characters and unabashedly graphic violence, The Wild Bunch is filled with massive, bloody shootouts and groundbreaking use of slow motion and quick-cut editing techniques. There’s a lot of John Woo in this movie, and by extension, a lot of Havoc. City on Fire Where to watch: The Internet Archive or a physical copy We talked about Full Contact earlier, but City on Fire is The Chow Yun-Fat/Ringo Lam collaboration you have to see. Chow plays an undercover cop torn between allegiances to the police department, his girlfriend, and his newfound friends in the gang he’s been infiltrating. It’s got all the heroic bloodshed staples: shocking violence, deeply felt love (both romantic and platonic), and a stylish sense of cool that just oozes off the screen. Along with A Better Tomorrow, City on Fire propelled Chow to international stardom, and it’s easy to see why. Few people have ever looked better on the big screen.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Pixel 9 is the latest series of the Google Pixel phone lineup. They were released late last summer along with the 9 Pro and Pro XL, while the budget Pixel 9a came out earlier this year. If you're looking for the latest middle-of-the-pack Pixel, the 128 GB unlocked Pixel 9 is just $639.99 (originally $799) after a $160 discount, the second-lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. Google Pixel 9 (128 GB) Storage: 128 GB, Battery: 24 hours, Display: 6.3", RAM: 12 GB, Refresh Rate: 120 Hz. $639.99 at Amazon $799.00 Save $159.01 Get Deal Get Deal $639.99 at Amazon $799.00 Save $159.01 The Pixel 9 comes with 12GB of RAM, starts with 128GB of memory storage, a maximum 120 HZ refresh rate, and the Android 14 operating system. Lifehacker's associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt deemed the Pixel 9 so good that you likely won't miss the Pro. It's important to note that the AI features still had hiccups, but AI features will keep improving over time; the most important thing to get right is the hardware, and Michelle says this is the best smartphone Google has made so far.The battery life can last almost 12 hours, according to PCMag's "excellent" review. The main camera has a 50MP shooter, a 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view, same as the Pro models, but it has a single-zone laser detect autofocus (LDAF) sensor (the pro has multi-zone LDAF).If you have the Pixel 8, you might not notice a huge upgrade in this model. However, if you're upgrading from an older version or doing a switch from a non-Pixel phone, the 9 has a lot to offer. One of my favorite things about Pixel phones is the ongoing support for many years. My Pixel 6A still gets all of the updates and tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh many years later, with the latest ones dropping last month (if you have a GoPro, you can control it with your Pixel). With the Pixel 9, you'll be getting a quality phone with software updates for quite a while—as long as seven years.

If you’ve performed a Google search lately, you’ve undoubtedly come across an AI Overview in your search results. This tool, powered by Google’s Gemini, tries to save you some clicks by aggregating information from the links populated in your search results and succinctly delivering what it believes to be the information you’re looking for. The accuracy of these overviews, however, often leaves a lot to be desired, and the tool has been plagued with hallucinations since its launch (with varying degrees of hilarity). Now Google is bringing the tool to YouTube, testing a video version of AI overviews for a small number of YouTube Premium members in the US across limited English search queries. While Google search results show LLM-generated text summaries, YouTube’s AI overviews will function as something of a highlight reel for certain videos. In a post on YouTube Community forums, Google said that, "This new feature will use AI to highlight clips from videos that will be most helpful for your search query…This is most likely to show when you search for more information about products you’re shopping for (such as 'best noise cancelling headphones'), or when you search for more information about locations or things to do in those locations (such as 'museums to visit in San Francisco')." This raises some questions about the revenue model for creators on YouTube and how AI-generated clip reels would affect their incomes. A major concern with AI overview in search is Google’s own summary absorbing traffic that would otherwise have gone to the publications shown in the search results. Bringing these tools to YouTube is likely to raise the same concerns for video content creators. Google will be collecting feedback on these overviews from Premium members, who can vote with a thumbs up or thumbs down on the AI-generated highlight clips. Google hasn’t said how long this pilot will run for, or whether Google intends to expand YouTube’s AI overview to anyone beyond Premium subscribers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/youtube-is-testing-its-own-version-of-ai-overviews-145353147.html?src=rss

Managers trust AI for tasks, not decisions, but employees still fear job loss, even as leaders shift toward using AI to support, not replace, them.

If you’ve followed Apple for any length of time, you’ve no doubt come across the notion that the company doesn’t rush into adopting cutting-edge technology; instead, it waits until it can do it right. “We don’t feel an impatience to be first,” CEO Tim Cook told Bloomberg in 2017. “Our thing is to be the best and to give the user something that really makes a difference in their lives.” But I’m starting to wonder if something else is going on. Sure, a lot of Apple’s Android competitors have sometimes been accused of throwing features at the wall. These days, though, I think their hardware is often just markedly better—and it hits the market earlier. There have certainly been times when Apple has waited and knocked it out of the park with its own implementation of a new component or product category. Touch ID was far faster and more reliable than any previous fingerprint reader. Apple Pay was a comprehensive use case for Near Field Communication that worked seamlessly compared with prior solutions. The Apple Watch might not have been perfect at launch, but it was (and is) light years ahead of other smartwatches. Other examples fall into a gray area. Take wireless charging. “Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated,” Apple senior VP Phil Schiller said in 2012. Five years later, the iPhone X and 8 launched with Qi charging that worked the exact same way, without any particular special sauce. Today, Apple has by far the most convenient setup with its MagSafe ecosystem, and it has set the bar for the new Qi2 standard. But that doesn’t change the fact that it was years behind on the basic functionality. More recently, there have been cases in which Apple is simply late. AI is an obvious example, but camera hardware is more pertinent.  For many years, Apple could and did lay claim to having the best phone camera around. But it’s impossible to make that case today if you have any experience with the top Android phones on the market. Some of that comes down to software tuning, but hardware plays an equally big role. In fall 2023, Apple introduced its “tetraprism” camera to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, upping the focal length from 3x to 5x. Apple presented this as a new approach to lens design, and in some ways it is; it doesn’t have the characteristic rectangular shape of “periscope” telephoto lenses on other Android phones, although the principle is the same. But Apple couldn’t claim any major performance breakthrough, except over itself. Take the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, released at the start of that year; its 5x telephoto lens was paired with a bigger sensor, and the difference in clarity was stark. Apple had been rumored to be lining up suppliers for periscope telephoto cameras since 2020, and even had filed patents on the technology in 2016, but it doesn’t seem to have gained anything by waiting so long to bring the concept to market. Huawei and Oppo, meanwhile, were shipping impressive periscope cameras back in 2019. It was a similar situation with 48-megapixel image sensors, the main new feature on the iPhone 14 Pro camera in 2022. Again, it’s not clear what took Apple so long to introduce this—the first 48-megapixel sensors made their way to Android phones in early 2019, and they worked the exact same way by combining four pixels into one for better 12-megapixel shots. In recent years, the state of the art in Android phones has been 1-inch image sensors, the same size you’ll find in enthusiast compact cameras like Sony’s RX100 line. Once you’ve used one, it’s hard to go back; these phones take photos that just don’t look like they came from a phone. The technology is mature, but at least from the outside, Apple does not seem all that interested in keeping up. It’s possible that Apple’s scale makes it harder for the company to secure cutting-edge components in the quantities it requires for each launch. The first tetraprism lens was only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max before making it to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro the following year, for example. Android OEMs ship so many more individual models that it’s easier for them to reserve high-end parts for certain flagships. I’ve been thinking about this dynamic lately when reading reports of Apple’s belated entry into folding phones, a category Samsung kicked off in 2019—albeit with some well-publicized hiccups. Last month Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to use technologies from a slimmer iPhone this year in a folding phone that could land “as early as 2026.” I’m not sure this checks out. According to Gurman, the 2025 “iPhone Air“ will be around 2 millimeters thinner than current models; the iPhone 16 Pro is 8.3 millimeters thick. The thinnest folding phone out there today is Oppo’s Find N5, which has a near-invisible crease in its display and is just 4.2 millimeters thick when unfolded. At this point, what could Apple really be learning by producing a phone closer in thickness to the iPhone 16 Pro? The Find N5 isn’t just impressive hardware—it’s a phone that makes you wonder how much thinner it could even be. Make it a fifth of a millimeter thicker, and I’m not sure it would still fit its USB-C port. (Gurman does note that Apple also plans to investigate the possibility of port-free iPhones.)  But more to the point, the Find N5 is already on the market. At this point, I would not expect Apple’s first attempt at a folding phone to break new ground on a technical level. Six years on from the original Galaxy Fold, it seems unlikely that foldable hardware is going to get meaningfully better than what’s out there right now.  Apple’s software is broadly excellent and its ecosystem is unparalleled, which is why I continue to buy iPhones myself. The Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch really are the best products available in their given categories, so I’ll always want a phone that works well with them. But something is going on with the iPhone. It’s simply no longer the case that Android companies can’t compete on hardware or design. If Apple ever wants to dazzle the world with mobile devices again—or at least hardware obsessives like me—the window may be closing.

A toolbox is surely a staple in every home, essential for DIY weekend projects, however, the humble tools inside often don’t receive the attention they deserve. With the rise of ergonomic tools, even the most basic items like screwdrivers are being designed for comfort and efficiency. Note that ergonomic tools are designed to reduce strain, minimize injury, and enhance productivity during repetitive tasks. These tools are not just functional but also prioritize the user’s well-being by decreasing fatigue and reducing the risk of chronic pain or musculoskeletal disorders. As more people engage in DIY projects or use tools for prolonged periods, ergonomic designs are becoming increasingly important in promoting safety and ensuring long-term health benefits. These tools are designed to align with the body’s natural mechanics, enhancing comfort and minimizing fatigue during extended tasks. Check out the key features of ergonomic screwdrivers and tools that ensure reduced muscle and joint strain, allowing for prolonged use without discomfort. Comfortable Handle Grip An ergonomic handle grip is one of the prominent features of modern tools. These handles reduce pressure on the fingers and hands and are designed to match the natural curve of the palm. The tool minimizes discomfort during extended use by contouring the grip to fit comfortably. The handles are usually covered with rubber or silicone for better traction to ensure a secure grip, even in sweaty or oily conditions. The length of the handle is optimized to manage torque and improve maneuverability, while non-conductive materials make it comfortable to use even in extreme weather conditions. This design reduces the need for excessive gripping force distributes pressure evenly and allows users to work longer without discomfort. The MetMo Pocket Driver combines functionality and design in a compact, high-torque, satisfying, and efficient tool. Designed with a ratchet mechanism, this screwdriver allows for continuous rotation to tighten or loosen screws with ease and is accompanied by a rhythmic clicking sound that enhances the overall user’s experience. The driver’s all-metal construction is made from heat-treated steel and anodized aluminum, ensuring durability and strength, while the magnetized chuck securely holds 1/4” hex bits for versatility. With its fold-out handle, the MetMo Pocket Driver offers exceptional dexterity, allowing you to choose between T-mode for maximum torque or inline mode for working in tight spaces. Measuring just 4 inches in length, it’s highly portable and perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether for repairs, DIY projects, or tinkering, the MetMo Pocket Driver provides 17Nm of torque and a satisfying, click-filled experience, making it an ideal choice for professionals and hobbyists alike. Adjustable Torque Settings Modern ergonomic tools, such as screwdrivers, feature adjustable torque settings, which help prevent over-tightening and ensure that screws are secured without causing damage. With thicker blades designed to handle higher torque, these tools provide greater control. Some advanced models incorporate vibration-reduction technology, reducing the impact on the user’s hands and arms. This feature allows users to exert more force with less pressure, making tasks easier and reducing strain on the wrist. Additionally, some tools come equipped with built-in torque sensors that monitor and adjust the screw’s tightness, ensuring accuracy and preventing over-tightening. This combination of features enhances the precision and comfort of every task. The Spinner Drive Tough Edition Plus is a versatile screwdriver kit designed to make screw-driving smooth and effortless. Equipped with 20 durable bits made from stainless steel and reinforced with a Titanium Nitride coating, this kit offers exceptional strength and longevity for all your screwing needs. The minimalist, industrial design features CNC-machined grooves that improve grip and prevent the tool from rolling off surfaces. The screwdriver also features a hidden ball bearing at the top that provides a smooth and effortless twisting motion. Additionally, an ergonomic dimple enhances precision during use. For tasks requiring more torque, the Spinner Wheel can be added as it increases the handle’s diameter for a better grip and faster spinning speed. The magnetic bit attachment and a removable hexagon bit holder allow for seamless compatibility with electric screwdrivers, making this kit adaptable for any situation. With its thoughtful design and functionality, the Spinner Drive ensures a frustration-free experience every time one uses it. Stability Ergonomic tools are designed to offer stability and balance, reduce wrist fatigue, and make tasks easier to perform. With even weight distribution, these tools stay stable during use and prevent strain from twisting or turning motions. The tools can be made from lightweight materials that offer strength without added weight to improve maneuverability. Insulating materials are often incorporated to ensure the tool remains comfortable to touch, even in extreme weather conditions. As DIY projects continue to trend, users are increasingly seeking tools that are easy to handle, reduce manual labor, and provide a safer, more efficient user experience that improves performance and well-being. The Ti-Mag V2 is a versatile, compact, and durable screwdriver designed for DIY enthusiasts and perfect for those who need a reliable tool on the go. It features a foldable titanium body and five interchangeable magnetic bits (Slotted 5.5, Philip’s PHO, PH1, PH2, and Trox T6). Weighing just 106 grams, the Ti-Mag V2 is lightweight and pocket-friendly, making it perfect for carrying in an EDC kit. The screwdriver’s 180-degree folding design allows for easy access to bits, even in narrow and hard-to-reach spaces. In addition to its practical function as a screwdriver, the Ti-Mag V2 is a multifunctional design that also includes a pry bar, a box cutter, and serves as a fidget toy due to the presence of four strong magnets. The tool is made from scratch-resistant grade 5 titanium that ensures durability for various tasks. Whether for repairs or DIY projects, the Ti-Mag V2 is one of the best multitools designed for added convenience and versatility. Trends and Innovation Sustainability is one of the most important trends in tool design. Many modern tools are made from eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic and bio-based polymers that help to reduce environmental impact. Some tools even feature self-healing materials that extend the lifespan of the product. In addition to being environmentally conscious, these tools are designed for user comfort, with innovations like built-in lighting that automatically activates when the tool is in use, improving visibility in low-light conditions. By focusing on durability, sustainability, and comfort, ergonomic tools reduce waste, increase product lifespan, and minimize the need for frequent replacements that benefits the users and the planet. The Delta electric screwdriver concept is a brilliant combination of ergonomic design and practical functionality to address common issues with traditional screwdrivers. While many EDC kits offer multi-tools for convenience, a dedicated screwdriver outperforms in terms of comfort and efficiency for specific tasks. The Delta features a sleek, slightly bent handle that enhances grip and reduces hand strain. As a result, this offers a more comfortable and confident user experience as compared to standard straight-handled tools. This innovative design also solves the problem of battery drain by incorporating a charging dock that doubles as a storage space for driver bits. The charging dock, similar to wireless earbud cases, ensures the screwdriver is always charged and ready for action. The triangular shape of the base provides stability in any position, making it easy to store and access. These thoughtful improvements make the Delta screwdriver both more reliable and user-friendly, combining the convenience of electric power with the dependability of traditional tools. As ergonomic tools continue to revolutionize home improvement, they represent a significant evolution in how we approach DIY projects. These thoughtfully designed implements—from the compact MetMo Pocket Driver to the innovative Delta electric screwdriver—prioritize user comfort, health, and efficiency through features like contoured grips, adjustable torque settings, and balanced weight distribution. Beyond mere functionality, today’s ergonomic tools embrace sustainability through eco-friendly materials and extended product lifespans. As homeowners increasingly engage in DIY projects, these ergonomic advancements reduce strain, prevent injury, and enhance productivity during repetitive tasks. The transformation of basic tools into sophisticated instruments that work with our bodies rather than against them marks a meaningful shift toward tools that not only accomplish tasks effectively but also protect our long-term well-being.The post Upgrade Your Toolbox: The Essential Ergonomic Tools Every DIY Enthusiast Needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Are you making these errors?

Designer Annie Fan went through 60 prototypes to get the Traveller to where it is today, and it shows.

Macworld With every iPhone launch, people are excited until they start to voice their frustration over Apple’s incremental hardware changes. The rage is typically justified. Over the past several years, Apple has given us largely tweaked iterations of the same device. Nevertheless, these small improvements do add up to meaningful year-over-year upgrades, but it’s been a while since Apple has truly blown us away This year’s iPhone 17 lineup could follow the same pattern. We’re not expecting groundbreaking additions such as a foldable display or a portless design, but rumors hint at a slew of welcome changes across the line. Regardless of the model you’re using right now, here are 10 main reasons you will want to buy an iPhone 17 this fall. 1. All-new Air variant Perhaps the most noticeable introduction will be the iPhone 17 Air. Apple is reportedly working on an ultra-thin phone that sacrifices some high-end specs in favor of sleeker aesthetics. With a rumored thinness of around 5.5mm, the Air model will easily dethrone the 6.9mm iPhone 6 as Apple’s thinnest smartphone ever. While it will likely sport a single camera like the iPhone 16e, the 17 Air edition is expected to still bring several high-end features, including support for MagSafe accessories, the Dynamic Island, the Camera Control button, and possibly even an always-on display. It’s the closest thing to a new design we’ve gotten in years, and the iPhone 17 Air will appeal to customers looking for something different. 2. Sharper selfie camera If you don’t really care about the Air edition, there are still plenty of other upgrades planned for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. For starters, all four models are expected to feature a 24MP TrueDepth camera system, a notable jump from the 12MP lens available on the last several generations. This upgrade will dramatically improve the quality of your selfies and possibly enable 2X zoom while maintaining image sharpness. The iPhone 17 Pro could get a major camera upgrade.Foundry 3. Main camera upgrades The newest iPhones always have better cameras, and the iPhone 17 will be no exception. Most notably, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max could finally adopt a 48MP telephoto lens, making faraway shots even sharper and enabling even better digital zoom. Additionally, the ultrawide lens could gain a variable aperture, letting you decide how much light passes through. This would elevate mobile photography by giving users more control over the depth of field. However, it’s possible that this feature gets pushed to the iPhone 18 in 2026. Beyond that, the highest-end models could gain 8K video shooting capabilities for the first time, luring content creators who’d rather not carry a dedicated camera around. 4. Reimagined camera bump iPhone camera upgrades are usually limited to spec bumps, but this year’s models are also expected to adopt a fresh exterior design. For starters, the all-new iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a new look with a horizontal bar to house its single wide lens, differentiating it from the entry-level 16e. Similarly, Apple may stretch the iPhone 17 Pro models’ camera bump across the back as well, departing from the classic square design. The back of the iPhone has generally looked the same ever since the iPhone 11, so an overhauled look will set the upcoming Pro iPhones apart from their predecessors. The entire iPhone lineup could have new camera designs.Foundry 5. Aluminum frame revival For nearly a decade, Apple has distinguished its flagship iPhones by offering distinct metallic chassis. The strategy was kickstarted by the iPhone X, offering a stainless steel frame as the iPhone 8 stuck to aluminum. Lower-end iPhones continued to feature the same aluminum frame, while Pro models eventually switched to titanium. Later this year, Apple could switch things up by using aluminum bodies across the entire iPhone 17 line. This shift could make the Pro models lighter, as titanium is significantly denser. Apart from that, the company could mix aluminum with the back glass to increase its durability. 6. In-house wireless chips With the iPhone 16e, Apple introduced its first 5G chip, delivering comparable performance using less energy. The first-party modem could make its way to the iPhone 17 Air later this year, which would improve its energy efficiency. Similarly, all iPhone 17 models could pack an Apple-made Wi-Fi chipset, potentially increasing their battery life. Apple might switch to new wireless chips that are more efficient.Foundry 7. RAM boost With the launch of the iPhone 16, Apple boosted the standard models to 8GB of RAM to support on-device Apple Intelligence features, matching the 8GB in the Pro models. To set its high-end phones apart, Apple is rumored to equip the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max with 12GB of RAM—a 50 percent increase over the current specs. Beyond more powerful AI tools, the upgrade could make apps snappier and practically eliminate lag across the system. 8. Improved thermal management After the iPhone 15 Pro’s overheating issues, the iPhone 16 Pro adopted an enhanced thermal management system. To help maintain the phone’s neutral temperature, the iPhone 17 Pro models could go one step further with a vapor chamber cooling technology. A special liquid would dissipate in a vacuum space when subjected to heat, which then distributes it across a wider area, keeping things cool in the most stressful conditions. 9. Longer battery life The homegrown Wi-Fi chip and vapor chamber cooling may not be the only factors improving battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro models could have a thicker design for the first time in years, presumably to accommodate larger batteries. Consequently, iPhone 17 Pro users could be able to go through a full day of heavy use without having to worry about charging. The non-Pro iPhone 17 models might get ProMotion displays for the first time.Foundry 10. Superior displays Lastly, all iPhone 17 models could adopt the ProMotion technology, finally unlocking 120Hz variable refresh rates for all users. Currently exclusive to Pro models since 2021, the addition would let iPhone 17 and 17 Air users finally enjoy smoother scrolling and transitions throughout iOS. Furthermore, the four displays could feature a more scratch-resistant coating to better withstand sharp objects. There have also been mixed rumors about a smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it’s unclear if it’ll actually materialize. There’s still room for innovation Smartphones have undoubtedly matured, and annual refreshes have arguably become redundant. Despite that, every once in a while, Apple manages to squeeze in enough hardware boosts in a single launch, enticing users to upgrade. What’s especially exciting about this year’s rumored iPhone line is how there are remarkable changes impacting each of the four variants—not just the highest-end ones. While the vanilla iPhone 17 may be the least interesting, there’s a lot to look forward to in the Air, Pro, and Pro Max models.