I’d have positioned a good wager on Apple making an enormous deal about Apple Intelligence at WWDC this 12 months, and from that I’d have predicted that the iPhone 17 could be Cupertino’s first correct AI telephone.
The firm considerably fluffed the launch of Apple Intelligence, with AI-powered options for the iPhone 16 household taking a very long time to roll out after its launch, and a wiser ChatGPT-centric Siri nonetheless absent. With that in thoughts, I’d have thought Apple would have gone tougher on AI at its yearly developer’s convention.
I used to be improper.
Apple Intelligence was talked about, however extra as a wise digital icing to a cake consisting principally of the Liquid Glass design materials and have updates throughout Apple’s software program ecosystem.
So with that in thoughts it’s arguably exhausting to attract any massive insights into what’ll be in retailer on the subsequent Apple occasion, which is more likely to be a September one centred round new iPhones. But I believe I can have stab at what the subsequent iPhone will probably be like.
It’ll be boring.
Send me now new iOS
My principle right here is that the iPhone 17, if Apple does go along with that nomenclature, will probably be a car for iOS 26 with {hardware} upgrades taking a again seat.
While a number of the core iOS expertise will broadly be the identical as iOS 18, the design adjustments might take a bit of getting used to; plus there are a bunch of latest options within the native apps that would supply customers new methods to do issues.
So I believe Apple received’t do a lot on the {hardware} aspect to get in the best way of that have; there’s not more likely to be any massive adjustments to the core iPhone design, digital camera array or supplies.
Depressingly, I even anticipate the usual iPhone 17 will nonetheless have a 60Hz show, because it looks as if Apple is without doubt one of the few corporations who can get away with this and nonetheless cost a premium worth.
There are some rumors that tout adjustments equivalent to using aluminum for the body of the iPhone 17 Pro, however I don’t purchase them; the rumored iPhone 17 Air might use the lighter materials, although I don’t see that telephone shaking up the core design of iPhones.
Rather than champion many {hardware} upgrades, which in recent times have grow to be iterative to the purpose of being boring, I believe Apple will place the iPhone 17 vary as a brand new chapter in getting essentially the most out of a contemporary iOS.
And I believe lots of people will purchase into it.
The iPhone’s new garments
Much like altering up an outfit with the addition of a brand new shirt or coat, or swapping the strap of a watch, redesigned software program could make tried and examined {hardware} appear contemporary and new, even when most of these adjustments are merely aesthetic.
But I believe new options like an overhauled Phone app, sensible instruments for Maps, Wallet and Music, plus new devoted Games app-meets-hub will make next-generation iPhones really feel rather a lot newer than those who have merely had digital camera sensor or button upgrades over their predecessors.
I’m notably intrigued to see how the Games app performs out, as Apple has quietly been strengthening the gaming expertise on iPhone, with help for titles equivalent to Death Stranding and a collection of authentic video games within the rising Apple Arcade service, each of which I don’t really feel Android has a powerful reply for.
Add in a brand new chip, which is all however assured for the next-gen iPhones, and you could possibly be taking a look at some spectacular stealthy gaming telephones.
With that in thoughts, I can see the iPhone 17 providing a household of telephones for individuals who’ve resisted upgrading to a brand new iPhone for a few years. That’s typically the case, in fact, however I really feel iOS 26 will probably be extra of an improve catalyst despite the fact that fashions relationship again to the iPhone 11 can run this upcoming iteration of Apple’s cellular working system.
I’d place a really stable wager that Apple will market the iPhone 17 vary as the perfect car for iOS 26, and I’m forecasting that’ll suck in lots of people; let me know within the feedback in the event you do not agree.
All that being mentioned, I’m completely open to Apple shocking me with an iPhone that’s being given a severe remodeling or simply has clutch of {hardware} upgrades. I don’t personally suppose that is the 12 months for that – however I don’t suppose that issues both.
