iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: 5 Major Upgrades You Can Expect This Year

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 Pro later this year, and while much of the buzz has surrounded the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a significant leap forward with some exciting upgrades. These improvements are expected to build on the iPhone 16 Pro’s already impressive features, offering users an even more powerful and refined device. Here’s a look at the five major upgrades expected in the iPhone 17 Pro compared to its predecessor.

Aluminium Frame Instead of Titanium: A Return to Classic Materials

Apple made waves last year by introducing a titanium frame with the iPhone 15 Pro, continuing that trend with the iPhone 16 Pro. However, reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro will bring a shift back to aluminium. This would make the iPhone 17 Pro the first Pro iPhone to feature an aluminium frame since the iPhone X, which used stainless steel.

Design Tweaks for Durability

In addition to the material switch, the back of the iPhone 17 Pro could also undergo a design change. Leaks indicate that Apple may adopt a combination of aluminium and glass for the back panel. The upper half of the back might be made of aluminium, while the lower half would retain glass to support wireless charging. This tweak could significantly improve durability, making the iPhone 17 Pro more resistant to drops while maintaining wireless charging functionality.

Redesigned Camera Island: A Fresh Look for Apple’s Flagship Camera

One of the most exciting changes expected with the iPhone 17 Pro is the redesign of the camera module. Unlike the square-shaped camera bump found in recent models, Apple is reportedly experimenting with a more rectangular or pill-shaped camera island. This could give the phone a distinct appearance and potentially improve the camera functionality.

A New Horizontal Camera Layout?

There are conflicting reports regarding the exact layout of the lenses. Some sources claim that the lenses could be arranged in a horizontal layout, while others suggest that the traditional triangular pattern will remain. If Apple does switch to a horizontal layout, it could have an impact on how the iPhone captures spatial video, as the current models rely on vertically aligned cameras for this feature. Regardless of the final design, the iPhone 17 Pro camera is set to offer a more dynamic photography experience.

New and Improved Camera Sensors: Bigger, Better, and More Powerful

Camera upgrades are always a big deal for iPhone enthusiasts, and the iPhone 17 Pro is set to bring some significant improvements in this area.

A 24-Megapixel Front Camera

For starters, all iPhone 17 models are rumored to feature a 24-megapixel front camera, a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel sensor found in the iPhone 16 Pro. This improvement will undoubtedly result in better selfies and enhanced video quality for apps like FaceTime and social media.

Three 48-Megapixel Rear Cameras

On the back, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a triple-camera setup with three 48-megapixel sensors. These would include a primary camera, ultra-wide camera, and a tetraprism periscope telephoto lens, offering an incredibly versatile camera system for everything from wide shots to zoomed-in photos. If these rumors prove true, the iPhone 17 Pro would be the first iPhone to feature three 48-megapixel rear cameras, providing users with unparalleled photographic capabilities.

In addition to these upgrades, there are whispers of a mechanical aperture for the Pro models, allowing users to adjust the light intake to get better results in various lighting conditions. This would be a major leap in camera versatility for the iPhone lineup.

A19 Pro Chip and More RAM: Power to Spare

The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to be powered by the new A19 Pro chip, built on a more efficient 3nm process. While it’s not the 2nm chips many had hoped for, the A19 Pro is still expected to offer better performance and efficiency compared to the A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro.

More RAM for Better Performance

In addition to the chip upgrade, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to come with 12GB of RAM, a notable increase from the 8GB in the previous Pro models. This additional RAM should improve multitasking and overall device performance, allowing users to run more apps simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air, however, may still feature 8GB RAM, with 12GB reserved for the Pro models.

Bigger Battery, Same Charging Speed: No Big Changes

Battery life has always been a top priority for Apple, and the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to come with a larger battery than its predecessor. This increase in battery capacity should provide longer battery life, even with 5G and the more powerful A19 Pro chip.

However, charging speeds may remain unchanged from the iPhone 16 Pro, with the iPhone 17 Pro continuing to support 35W wired charging. While this isn’t the fastest charging speed on the market, it still provides a solid charging experience, especially when combined with the larger battery.

The iPhone 17 Pro Looks Like a Solid Upgrade

The iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a solid upgrade from the iPhone 16 Pro, with significant improvements across the board. From a new camera design to an aluminium frame, improved sensors, and a more powerful chip, the iPhone 17 Pro is poised to take the iPhone lineup to the next level. While some features, like charging speeds, may remain the same, the overall experience promises to be much more refined and powerful.

If you’re an iPhone enthusiast, the iPhone 17 Pro will likely be worth the wait when it launches later this year. With the changes in design, performance, and camera quality, this device is likely to keep Apple fans coming back for more.