Apple analyst Jeff Pu shared new details on the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, including the A19 chip and a smaller Dynamic Island. A surprising twist is also expected for the design of the rumored iPhone 17 Air.
Updates: Design Tweaks and A19 Chip Details
In his latest report, analyst Jeff Pu repeats much of what we’ve already heard about the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating that Apple’s plans remain largely unchanged.
The 17th Gen iPhone models will feature a more complex aluminum design than the iPhone 16, with the new Pro Max boasting a notably smaller Dynamic Island, thanks to new “metalens” technology for the proximity sensor. This tech could shrink the Face ID sensor significantly.
Pu also confirms that the A19 and A19 Pro chips will use the N3P fabrication process, improving performance and efficiency compared to the A18’s N3E process. However, Apple will likely hold off on transitioning to TSMC’s 2nm process until 2026.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Slim | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Sep-25 | Sep-25 | Sep-25 | Sep-25 |
| Display | 6.1″ | 6.6″ | 6.3″ | 6.9″ |
| Chip | A19 N3P | A19 N3P | A19 Pro, N3P | A19 Pro, N3P |
| DRAM | LPDDR5 8GB | LPDDR5 8GB | LPDDR5 12GB | LPDDR5 12GB |
| Front camera | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP |
| Rear camera | 48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide | 48MP Main | 48MP Main, Telephoto, Ultra Wide | 48MP Main, Telephoto, Ultra Wide |
| Face ID | Structured light | Structured light | Structured light | Structured light, Metalens |
| Casing | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
The Air: Slimmer Design, But Technical Challenges Ahead
Last week, rumors surfaced about Apple facing challenges with a thinner battery design for the iPhone 17 Air. While some reports suggested the battery would be just 6mm thick, analyst Jeff Pu clarifies that the entire iPhone 17 Air will be 6mm thick, featuring an ultra-slim design.
Pu agrees with the buzz around the device’s slim profile but notes that Apple’s push for this design will come with compromises. He doesn’t expect the iPhone 17 Air to be a high-volume model due to these technical limitations.
The iPhone 6 still holds the title of Apple’s thinnest iPhone, coming in at just 6.9mm, with the iPhone 6 Plus slightly thicker at 7.1mm. In comparison, the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro is even thinner at 5.4mm, while the 13-inch iPad Pro measures 5.1mm.
For the iPhone 16 lineup, we see a bit more thickness: the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are both 7.8mm, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are 8.25mm thick.
EveryTechEver’s Take
I’d take all of this with a big grain of salt for now. With 10 months still to go before the iPhone 17’s announcement, Apple’s plans are likely to change several times before then. I’m skeptical that the Air will measure as slim as 6mm, but I’d love to be proven wrong!
