Apple’s iPhone 17 series, featuring an ultra-slim design, is expected to launch in 2025, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a recent blog post on Medium, Kuo highlighted that this new version will prioritize innovative form factor design over hardware specifications.
Kuo noted that Apple plans to discontinue the iPhone Plus model, which only represents 5 to 10% of total new iPhone shipments. He explained that the Standard, Pro, and Pro Max models sufficiently cover the high-end market, rendering the Plus model redundant.
“The new ultra-slim model is not positioned to replace the Plus. Instead, Apple is exploring new design trends beyond the existing iPhone lineup,” Kuo wrote.
He also shared some known specifications of the iPhone 17, which include:
- 6.6-inch screen size
- 2,740 by 1,260 screen resolution
- A19 chip, with the higher-end models using the A19 Pro
- Dynamic Island feature, a pill-shaped secondary display on the upper screen
- Titanium-aluminum alloy metal frame with a lower percentage of titanium
- In-house 5G chip for enhanced connectivity and performance
- Single-rear wide camera, focusing on design over versatility
The latest iPhone model, the iPhone 15, was announced at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event in September 2023 and entered the Philippine market in October of the same year. It features a contoured edge, aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure, textured matte finish, 48-megapixel camera, and a universal USB-C charger.
Forbes has reported that the iPhone 16 series, set to release later this year, will include four units: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, is known for sharing his observations and predictions of tech industry trends on his Medium profile.