Everything We Know About The Upcoming iPhone 17 Slim

For a while now, Apple hasn’t had much luck with the plus-sized iPhones in its lineup and if the rumours are to be believed, they will likely be phased out. Starting with next year’s iPhone 17 series, we might see a new iPhone 17 Slim joining the ranks of Apple’s meant-for-mortals non-Pro offerings.

Now you don’t need to be a genius to figure out the direction that Apple is taking with this handset – a lean and trim form factor. After all, Apple’s obsession with slim iPhones has been noticeable for years, especially before the bloated iterations that made the iPhone synonymous with long battery life arrived on the scene. The iPhone 6 championed the cause of slim smartphones in the early 2010s and its successors only made the formula better with every new generation.

However, in an age where iPhone users seek practicality over design improvements, where would the iPhone 17 Slim fit in? Will it give us another chance to cherish the concept of a compact smartphone like the iPhone 13 Mini? Or will it pave the way for a foldable iPhone that’s now rumoured to arrive by 2026?

Most importantly, will the iPhone 17 Slim be a success story, unlike its Plus and Mini-sized predecessors

If you too are looking for answers to those questions, keep scrolling as we dive deep into all the leaks and rumours surrounding this mysterious new iPhone.

iPhone 17 Slim specs leak: iPhone on a diet?

In essence, yes.

The iPhone 17 Slim seems to be more of an evolution of the plus-sized iPhone than a complete reimagination. Some of the changes make us hopeful while others may push buyers to go for the Pro variant.

Ming-Chi Kuo, the renowned analyst who usually makes predictions about upcoming iPhones with a higher degree of accuracy than most leakers, implies that the iPhone 17 Slim will be more about style than substance. While it replaces the iPhone 17 Plus in theory, the Slim model will build upon the solid foundations of the Plus variant.

Highlights of the iPhone 17 Slim

– Kuo says that the iPhone 17 Slim will prioritise the slim form as one of its key selling points. It is said that Apple will explore new styling avenues with this variant to lure people into upgrading from the standard model.

– Since it is an evolution, Kuo says that the lean and trim iPhone will feature a 6.6-inch display, which is slightly bigger than the current-gen iPhone 15 Plus. The OLED panel will also boast a 2740 x 1260 pixel resolution.

Although Kuo doesn’t spill the beans on the refresh rate (fingers crossed for a 120Hz panel), it will feature the Dynamic Island as seen on the iPhone 15 generation.

– Although it might not be as capable as the iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 Pro chip, Kuo says that the iPhone 17 Slim will rely on Apple’s A19 System-on-Chip (SoC). This should provide ample performance for gaming, Apple Intelligence features and basic media editing.

Note: Kuo is also confident about Apple’s chances of debuting its first 5G modem chip with the iPhone 17’s A19 chip.

– Titanium will be the chosen material for future premium phones and the iPhone 17 Slim will prove that with its Titanium alloy frame. Kuo also says that, while it won’t be as sturdy as the Pro variant’s higher-grade Titanium, it should provide superior durability over its predecessor’s Aluminium frame.

Downsizing the camera

The only downside to the iPhone 17 Slim’s feature set seems to be the lack of a second camera sensor on its back. Kuo says that the Slim variant will feature a single wide-angle rear camera and get rid of the secondary ultra-wide shooter.

Having a single rear camera on a mainstream iPhone is likely to be controversial but a slim profile limits the space for a dual camera unit. Hence, you could expect Apple to rely on its Apple Intelligence-based trickery to keep shutterbugs happy.

iPhone 17 Slim expected release date and price

With the iPhone 16 series expected to be unveiled in early September 2024, the iPhone 17 Slim seems slated for a September 2025 release alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

As for the price, the Slim is expected to cost almost the same as the current generation iPhone 15 Plus.

We are likely to see more updates related to the rumoured iPhone 17 Slim in the coming months. So, watch this space for more.

(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy serwin365 via Unsplash)