In these hours, several rumors have emerged about the iPhone 17 and future smartphones that Apple will launch in the next few years.
iPhone 17, what will it be like?
Second analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 will feature a 6.6-inch display, maintaining the current Dynamic Island. One element that could catch attention is the ultra-thin design of the devicewhich is set to become its main selling point. The phone’s body will be made of a titanium-aluminum alloy, albeit with a lower percentage of titanium than the iPhone 15 Pro.
The beating heart of the new iPhone 17 will be the standard A19 chip, leaving the A19 Pro chip exclusive to other more performing models. On the photographic front, Apple has decided to equip this device with a single rear cameraa choice that marks a clear distinction compared to the Pro models, but which could reflect a more essential and minimalist approach.
Another interesting aspect concerns he chip 5Gwhich will be designed directly by Apple, confirming the company’s commitment to developing internal components to improve performance and hardware-software integration.
Kuo clarified that there will not be an iPhone 17 Plus model, and that the new ultra-thin one will not replace it. Rather, it is an entirely new model, with the aim of attract attention mainly for its innovative design. This suggests that the ultra-thin iPhone 17 won’t be the flagship “iPhone 17 Ultra” model, but will sit in its own category within the iPhone 17 range.
The use of a titanium and aluminum alloy could offer a perfect balance between lightness and strength, making the iPhone 17 a pleasant device to use on a daily basis. While the single camera might seem like a step backwards, it could also indicate a new direction towards a more optimized and functional use, without compromising too much on image quality.
The lack of an A19 Pro chip might displease the most demanding, but it’s clear that Apple is trying to diversify its offering, focusing on design and usability for this specific model.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, so there’s still time for more leaks and previews that could reveal more details about this highly anticipated device.
The 5G chip created by Apple
As mentioned, in 2025 Apple should be ready with its in-house made 5G chip.
Kuo himself revealed that Apple is accelerating its plan to move away from supplier Qualcomm. In 2025, two new iPhone models will abandon Qualcomm’s 5G chips for Apple’s in-house ones: the iPhone SE 4 (Q1 2025) and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 (Q3 2025).
Apple has planned a gradual rollout of its own 5G chips. Instead of switching to these proprietary modems in all new iPhone models in 2025, the company will only use them in two specific models.
This means that the other new iPhones of 2025 will continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G chipsas has been the case for many iPhone models to date. Not only will this fall’s iPhone 16 lineup have Qualcomm modems, but the 2025 iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will continue to use them as well. The only exceptions will be the ultra-thin iPhone 17 (name still to be announced) and the iPhone SE 4.
If all goes well with Apple’s 5G chip rollout, we’ll likely see these components across the entire iPhone lineup in 2026 and beyond. However, for now, only a few models will receive the new technology.
Earlier this year, Apple signed a new contract with Qualcomm to continue using its 5G modems through March 2027. However, the company may phase out Qualcomm during that time, and may even find other ways to fulfill the contract without involving iPhones.
The gradual adoption of in-house 5G chips can be seen as a small-scale performance test before a larger rollout. This approach could ensure a smoother transition and reduce the risk of any teething problems.
The decision to include the new 5G chip in the lower-end iPhone SE 4 suggests that Apple wants to test the technology on a different audience before bringing it to its flagship models. Conversely, keeping Qualcomm chips in the Pro and Pro Max models could be a strategy to ensure stable and reliable performance on high-end devices.
New Camera and 2TB iPhone in 2026
Also according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, starting in 2026, iPhones will adopt a new 48MP 1/2.6-inch Ultra Wide CMOS (CIS) sensor produced by Samsung. This marks the end of Sony’s monopoly as the exclusive supplier of CIS for Apple.
In a short report published on X Kuo revealed that Samsung has already set up a dedicated team to work on the camera componentswith the aim of providing Apple specifically. This new sensor, with dimensions of 1/2.6 inches and a resolution of 48MP, represents a significant step forward for the photographic quality of iPhones.
For years, Apple has used exclusively image sensors supplied by Sony for its iPhones. However, recent developments point to a strategic shift by Apple, due to reliability concerns and the need to integrate new technologies into its camera systems.
If the 2026 production plan is met, Apple could start using Samsung-made image sensors in the cameras of the iPhone 18 series. This change could lead to significant improvements in image quality and technological innovation in iPhone cameras.
According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, Apple plans to start releasingand iPhone with quad-layer cell storage technology (QLC) by 2026. This innovation could pave the way for an iPhone with a 2TB storage capacity.
QLC technology is a step up from the triple-level cell (TLC) technology currently used in iPhone storage chips. QLC allows for higher storage density while maintaining the same physical chip size. QLC is also generally cheaper than TLC on a cost-per-gigabyte basis. However, one potential downside is that QLC offers slower read and write speeds than TLC.
Thanks to the density and cost advantages of QLC, Apple could introduce iPhones with 2TB of storage capacity in the coming years. According to TrendForce, Apple could adopt this technology as early as 2026, which means we could see it implemented in the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, or iPhone 18 models.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 series in September, so we’re just a few months away from knowing whether 2TB storage and QLC technology will be introduced this year or later.
Rumor
Source: www.iphoneitalia.com
