There’s less than a week to go until the much-anticipated Apple event, where we expect to see full reveals for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and potentially even an iPhone 17 Air.
I’ve previously written about the three features Apple needs to include in the iPhone 17 to make me upgrade this year. And in this guide, I’m turning my attention to the key rumored differences between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.
Leaks and rumors about both phones began swirling a number of months ago, and they’ve only increased in intensity in recent weeks. They hint at significant differences between the Pro and non-Pro models this year, so read on for a roundup of the biggest rumors.
1. Power, power, power
The iPhone 17 will almost definitely ship with an A19 chipset, while the iPhone 17 Pro will likely include the A19 Pro chip. The Pro version will supposedly be built on a newer and more powerful 3nm process, which will be ideally suited to running the advanced AI features found in iOS 26. It’ll also be faster across the board, which is impressive given that the iPhone 16 Pro is still one of the most powerful phones you can buy.
The iPhone 17 Pro is also rumored to have 12GB of RAM rather than the 8GB/12GB that’s expected to ship in the standard model. This will further enhance multitasking and AI performance, and extend the power gap between the Pro and standard models.
It’s worth noting that many users won’t need the superior power of the iPhone 17 Pro (the iPhone 17 will still be fast!), but if you’re a keen mobile gamer or are ready to embrace Apple‘s AI features, it’ll be the better option.
2. Better cameras
If you’re not too concerned about AI performance but do get excited about camera technology, then this rumor will really get your mouth watering.
Numerous reports suggest that both phones will receive a new and improved 24MP front-facing camera, but it’s the rear camera system where we’ll likely see a significant divergence.
The iPhone 17 will likely have a dual-camera setup with a wide and ultra-wide lens, while the iPhone 17 Pro could have a triple-lens system including an upgraded 48MP telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom. So, if phone photography is your gig, then this would be one of the main reasons to opt for the Pro version over the standard model.
Also rumored, although less likely, is 8K video recording for the Pro model, as well as a mechanical aperture system for better depth of field control.
3. Top-end display features
The iPhone 16 Pro featured a gorgeous ProMotion display with a superior 120Hz refresh rate. If the rumors are true, then we’re expecting to see a static 120Hz display included on the standard iPhone 17.
If that’s the case, you’d be right to ask what will set the Pro version apart.
Well, some of the key distinctions could be an Always-On display (Apple’s ProMotion feature allows for an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate), a smaller Dynamic Island, and a display with even thinner bezels. All in all, this would result in a more immersive viewing experience for Pro users.
4. A new-look design
I doubt that design, on its own, would cause anyone to make the jump from standard to Pro, but it’s still worth mentioning because there are a lot of rumors that both phones will be getting a new look this year.
The standard iPhone 17 may feature a new design with a mix of aluminum and glass, with a glass area around the MagSafe charger. The iPhone 17 Pro, meanwhile, is said to feature an updated camera bump that could look similar to the one found on the Google Pixel 10.
This sleek horizontal “camera bar” design would ensure that both phones look markedly different from one another this year, with the Pro model arguably looking the more interesting of the two.
5. An innovative vapor chamber
Last but not least, there are a number of rumors that the iPhone 17 Pro will feature new vapor chamber cooling technology. This tipped iPhone 17 Pro upgrade is one of our mobile computing editor’s favorite rumored features, and I can understand why.
The inclusion of a new chamber is likely required to handle the additional heat that the A19 Pro will generate while performing more demanding tasks. This chamber would allow for greater heat dissipation and prevent performance throttling, which will also help the iPhone 17 Pro become one of the best gaming phones.
It works by “using a liquid-filled metal chamber that lets said liquid change to a gas when it absorbs heat. This vapor then spreads across the metal surface to dissipate heat away from sensitive components like the chipset.” A similar feature is already found on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and will be a fantastic addition to the iPhone 17 Pro.
Crucially, though, the base iPhone 17 isn’t expected to get this vapor chamber cooling technology, so again, power users and committed mobile gamers will likely want to go Pro this year.
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paulo.n.hatton@gmail.com (Paul Hatton)
