iPhone 17 Pro to Get 12GB RAM Boost, Redesigned Camera, and More Upgrades!

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, an upgrade from the 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro models, aiming to enhance performance for Apple Intelligence and multitasking. Analyst Jeff Pu predicts this change will contribute to a 3.5% increase in iPhone DRAM content.

Camera improvements include a 48MP telephoto lens and a 24MP front camera, along with a redesigned rear camera module featuring a rectangular layout with rounded corners. The Pro models may also transition from a titanium to an aluminum frame, introduce a narrower Dynamic Island, and incorporate Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip for better connectivity. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air, rumored to replace the Plus variant, could sport a single rear camera housed in a sleek camera strip.

iPhone 17 Pro to Get 12GB RAM Boost, Redesigned Camera, and More Upgrades!

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to receive a significant RAM upgrade, along with several other enhancements. According to analyst Jeff Pu from GFHK Tech Research, both models will feature 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM—an increase from the 8GB found in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup. This boost in memory is anticipated to enhance performance, particularly for AI-driven features and multitasking capabilities. The iPhone 17 series is likely to be unveiled in mid-September, following Apple’s usual launch schedule.

Pu’s latest report, cited by 9to5Mac, suggests that the move to 12GB RAM will contribute to a 3.5% year-over-year rise in smartphone DRAM content across an estimated 100 million new iPhone units. He has previously predicted similar upgrades, with reports in May and October 2024 indicating that increased memory would optimize Apple Intelligence performance.

While Pu expects both Pro models to receive the RAM upgrade, another well-known analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, had earlier speculated that it might be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, Pu remains confident that both the Pro and Pro Max variants will benefit from this enhancement.

Beyond RAM, the iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to feature camera upgrades, including a 48-megapixel telephoto rear camera and a 24-megapixel front camera. Additionally, a redesign of the rear camera module is expected, replacing the current triangular layout with a rectangular camera bar with rounded corners. Other potential changes include a shift from a titanium to an aluminum frame, a slimmer Dynamic Island, and the inclusion of an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip. The switch to aluminum could make the iPhone 17 Pro models lighter while maintaining durability, possibly improving thermal management.

A narrower Dynamic Island may allow for a more immersive display experience, maximizing screen real estate. The introduction of Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip could lead to faster and more stable wireless connectivity, enhancing performance in high-speed internet environments. These refinements, combined with other hardware and software improvements, could make the iPhone 17 Pro lineup a significant upgrade.

As for the standard iPhone 17 models, the iPhone 17 Air—rumored to replace the Plus variant—is expected to adopt a single rear camera within a sleek camera strip, reminiscent of Google Pixel’s design. Meanwhile, the base iPhone 17 is likely to retain the familiar vertical camera bump seen on previous models, making it stand out less in terms of design changes compared to the Pro and Air variants. While the Pro models are expected to adopt a redesigned rectangular camera module and the Air variant may introduce a sleek camera strip, the standard iPhone 17 could stick with its traditional design language.

However, Apple may still introduce subtle refinements, such as improved materials, enhanced durability, and minor tweaks to the overall form factor. Performance upgrades, battery efficiency, and software optimizations could further differentiate it from its predecessor.