iPhone 17: Five Major Upgrades Expected From Apple’s Upcoming Release

Apple is gearing up to launch the iPhone 17 later this year. While the design may not drastically deviate from the iPhone 16, many under-the-hood improvements are expected to make this a notable iteration. From display to performance, here are the five most significant upgrades expected in Apple's upcoming flagship, according to a report by the tech reviews website The Shortcut.

Let's take a look at expected optimisations in iPhone 17:

1) Sharper And Smoother Display

One of the standout changes expected in the iPhone 17 is the introduction of the 120Hz ProMotion display — a feature previously limited to Apple's Pro models. This will offer significantly smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, aligning the standard model with competitors that have supported high refresh rates for years.

Apple is reportedly even increasing the screen size slightly from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, providing users with more screen real estate without drastically altering the device's footprint. This brings it in line with the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9, in terms of display dimensions.

2) Powering Up For AI Era

At the heart of the iPhone 17 will likely be Apple's new A19 chip, paired with up to 12GB of RAM — a substantial improvement from the previous generation. This hardware upgrade is expected to support Apple's expanding suite of AI features, particularly those planned for the iOS 19 update. Enhanced Siri capabilities, generative AI functions and natural language interactions are all on the horizon.

3) Front Camera Gets A Boost

Selfie lovers have something to look forward to as well. Apple is reportedly upgrading the front-facing camera across the iPhone 17 lineup, moving from a 12MP sensor to a more advanced 24MP shooter. This change will enable sharper images with better performance in low-light conditions, although details around the field of view remain unclear.

4) Faster Charging Times

Battery life may remain a priority, but charging speed is also in Apple's sights. The iPhone 17 is rumoured to support up to 35W fast charging via USB-C — an increase from the current 23W limit. While wireless charging speeds are expected to remain at 15W, the improved wired option could make a noticeable difference for users needing a quick power boost.

5) Smarter Connectivity

Lastly, Apple is expected to debut its own custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip in the iPhone 17. By combining both connectivity technologies into one efficient component, the phone could offer better battery management and longer runtimes. This chip follows in the footsteps of Apple's previous C1 chip (used for enhanced 5G connectivity in other models), but focuses instead on refining short-range wireless performance.

While the iPhone 17 may not look radically different from its predecessor, more details are likely to emerge closer to the launch, and eager users should keep an eye out as the tech giant sets the stage for its next big launch.