Tim Hardwick
Apple changed the iPhone 16 Pro screen size this year, making it larger than the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro models, and we expect to see a change in display size on the iPhone 17 lineup next year. Here's what we know.
Standard iPhone 17
Apple could introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 could have a 6.3-inch diagonal, up from 6.1 inches, making it the same size as the current iPhone 16 Pro. At 6.3 inches, it would slot between the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. However, there may only be one non-Pro model in Apple's lineup next year (see below).
iPhone 17 Plus vs. iPhone 17 Air
Apple is rumored to be planning to discontinue the Plus model in 2025 due to low sales and replace it with a lighter iPhone 17, which could be called the “iPhone Air.” While the iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be somewhere between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max in size. Various rumors have Apple settling on display sizes of 6.55 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.65 inches, making it smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max but larger than the 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
Apple currently doesn’t expect the size of its Pro models to change next year, as they already changed this year with the iPhone 16 series. This means the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should measure approximately 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. However, according to The Information, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature “significant design changes” that go beyond display size. These changes reportedly include using aluminum for the frame instead of titanium, a half-aluminum, half-glass back instead of an all-glass back, and a rectangular camera bump.
| iPhone 16 Models (2024) | iPhone 17 (2025) models |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16: 6.1 inches | iPhone 17: 6.3 inches |
| iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches | iPhone 17 Air: 6.5-6.6 inches |
| iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches | iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3 inches |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches | iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9 inches |
New display technology
120Hz ProMotion across the entire lineup
Apple intends to expand ProMotion to all iPhone models in 2025, which will allow all models to boost their refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and video content when needed. Previously, this feature was exclusive to the “Pro” models of Apple’s iPhone lineup. Specifically, ProMotion will also allow the display on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 “Air” to drop to a more power-efficient refresh rate of just 1Hz, enabling an always-on display that can show a clock, widgets, notifications, and the lock screen wallpaper even when the device is locked.
More Power-Efficient Screens
A recent unconfirmed rumor suggests that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models may feature a new display technology known as Low-Dielectric TEE (Transmission Electrically Enhanced). The term likely refers to the use of low-dielectric constant materials in the display’s thin-film encapsulation (TFE). While it’s not yet clear what exactly this innovation offers, the inclusion of low-dielectric constant materials could generally reduce signal interference and energy loss, leading to more efficient power use and potentially longer battery life.
Scratch-resistant, anti-glare display
The iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on the iPhone 15 models, according to one rumor. The iPhone 17's outer glass is said to have an “ultra-hard anti-reflective layer” that is “more scratch-resistant.” It's unclear whether Apple plans to use the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses on its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but Corning's description of the latest technology matches the rumors. However, it’s worth remembering that the new iPhone 16 Pro models feature the company’s latest Ceramic Shield, which has an advanced formula that’s twice as strong as the glass on any other smartphone, according to Apple.
Smaller Dynamic Island
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a significantly narrower Dynamic Island thanks to the device’s use of a smaller “metalens” for the Face ID system, Haitong’s Jeff Pu claims. While a traditional iPhone camera has curved lenses that redirect light to the image sensor, a metalens is a thin, flat lens with microscopic patterns etched into it that can focus light more precisely. Assuming this results in a narrower Dynamic Island, it would be the first time Apple has changed the feature since it debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.
Past iPhones: Notable Size Changes
- From the original iPhone to the iPhone 4S (2007-2011): The original iPhone, released in 2007, featured a 3.5-inch screen, a size that Apple maintained until the iPhone 4S. This screen size was considered quite large at the time compared to many modern phones.
- iPhone 5 to iPhone 5S/SE (2012-2016): With the release of the iPhone 5, Apple increased the screen size to 4 inches. This change was made in response to the growing consumer trend toward larger screens, which allowed for a better viewing experience while maintaining a comfortable grip.
- iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014): A significant change came with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, featuring screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches, respectively. The move was a response to the growing market for larger smartphones, or “phablets.” It marked Apple's foray into a segment where competitors like Samsung had been capitalizing.
- iPhone X (2017):With the release of the iPhone X in 2017, Apple moved to a new design paradigm, reducing bezels and introducing notched displays. The iPhone X had a 5.8-inch screen, which was in between the two previous sizes.
- iPhone XR (2018): The iPhone XR retained the new design profile of the iPhone X, but increased the display size to 6.1 inches.
- iPhone XS Max (2018): The iPhone XS Max was the first “Max” model released by Apple, featuring a 6.5-inch display, making it larger than any previous iPhone model.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020): The iPhone 12 Pro Max featured a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, making it once again the largest iPhone at the time of its release.
- iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini (2020-2021): The iPhone 12 mini was introduced in 2020 and marked the first time since the original iPhone SE that Apple released a new model specifically designed to be smaller and more compact. With a 5.4-inch screen, it was aimed at users who preferred smaller, more compact phones that could be easily operated with one hand. The iPhone 13 mini continued the trend, but reports and market analysis showed that overall demand for such a device was relatively low compared to Apple’s larger models, and Apple has not replicated the option in its iPhone lineups since.
- iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro (2023–2024): This year, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with larger displays at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. Compared to the 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches of the previous iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models, the current devices also boast thinner bezels, improving the viewing experience without significantly increasing the overall size of the device.
What do you think of Apple’s expected size changes for the iPhone 17? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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