iPhone 17 Pro: Seven new features are coming next year
Next year is set to be big for the iPhone, with a compelling new iPhone SE 4 in the spring and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air in the fall. But what about Apples flagship Pro models? Here are seven new features coming to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in 2025.24MP front-facing cameraThe iPhones cameras get better every year, but often Apples big improvements focus on the rear cameras.With the full iPhone 17 line, though, Apple will upgrade the front camera from a 12MP sensor to a brand new 24MP sensor, which should bring big improvements. Its about time for the selfie camera to get closer in quality to the iPhones rear camera.A19 Pro chipApple will once again upgrade its new iPhones with a new and improved A-series chip. In 2025 that will be the A19 Pro chip.Apples very best silicon will be reserved exclusively for the 17 Pro and Pro Max. Though the new 17 Air model is expected to win over a lot of Pro users, it will feature the standard A19 chipjust like the base iPhone 17.12GB RAM, the most ever in an iPhoneThe advent of AI has made RAM in Apples devices increasingly important. iPhone 15 owners know this better than anyone, since RAM limitations made the device incompatible with Apple Intelligence.In 2025, Apple will give its 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models 12GB of RAMthe most ever in an iPhone.This is a nice 50% improvement from the 16 Pros 8GB of RAM, which is what the standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air will be limited to still.Apples in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipApple has for years been working on developing two of its own modems: one for 5G, and one for Wi-Fi. Now, both projects are nearing the light of day.The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to use Apples new combo Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, and possibly the rest of the lineup too.Only the 17 Air, however, will get Apples in-house 5G modem, with the Pro models sticking with Qualcomms more advanced modem for another year.Larger rectangular camera bumpLike Apple did with this years 16 Pro models, the company is ready to double down on its Pro line as being especially optimized for camera use.The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will reportedly boast a larger rectangular camera bump. Presumably this will enable some new benefit.It sounds like the top portion of the Pro models may feature a full-width aluminum design. The bottom half, however, will retain its standard glass back for wireless charging.Redesigned frame with aluminumThis is an especially curious one: the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are getting a redesigned frame, with aluminum replacing titanium.Apple just recently introduced titanium to the iPhones Pro models in 2023, so the shift to aluminum is interesting. Well have to wait to hear Apples reasoning for the transition.Narrower Dynamic Island on Pro MaxFinally, heres one change exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max: a smaller Dynamic Island than ever before.Details are scarce, but its possible this change could accompany Face ID being embedded in the Pro Maxs display. Nothing concrete has been reported to that effect yet, but one way or another, the high-end model should feature a much narrowed Dynamic Island.iPhone 17 Pro features: wrap-upThis list of iPhone 17 Pro features reiterates my belief that 2025s purchase decision will be harder than ever.The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air sounds very exciting. But there might just be too many sacrifices Pro users would have to make to switch over.Which iPhone 17 Pro features are you most excited about? Do you plan to buy the 17 Air or stick with the Pro? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel