For years now, I’ve always favored base flagship models when it comes to today’s best phones. That means the non-Pro versions of phones out there, like the iPhone 16, seeing that it balances the features I want in a phone without costing too much.
With Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ event happening in a matter of hours, I’m excited to see what’s in store for the iPhone 17 — especially after I’ve reviewed and tested the iPhone 16 a year ago.
Unlike previous years, we might be in store for bigger year-over-year updates as the iPhone 17 rumors paint a much improved handset. Here’s all the features I'm excited for.
Finally, a 120Hz refresh rate
People have been very critical about Apple’s decision to stick with a 60Hz refresh rate for the iPhone 16. Don’t get me wrong, it looks wonderful with its excellent details and deep colors, but after testing many of the best cheap phones, it’s unbelievable that Apple hasn’t upgraded it.
That’s tipped to change for the iPhone 17, as the base model could finally gain a 120Hz ProMotion display. This would match what Apple offers with its Pro models, giving the base iPhone the same smoothness and response that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max offer. When you’ve been used to 60Hz for a while, the switch to 120Hz is dramatic — and it’s surely a big upgrade long in the making!
I don’t expect the iPhone 17 display to match the brightness or intensity levels of the Pro models, but I’m stoked nevertheless because it’ll also make gaming on the new phone much more enjoyable.
More colors and a unique accessory
I know very well that the base iPhones always get treated to the better, brighter color options, and the rumors indicate that won’t be any different with the iPhone 17. In fact, we’re poised to get six colors: black, white, steel gray, purple, green and light blue.
I’ve had the iPhone 16 in blue and I have admit it’s one of those colors that just pop. However, I’m stoked that purple and green are coming — two colors I haven’t seen in a while offered by any recent phones.
There’s also this rumor about Apple introducing a new accessory with the iPhone 17, which I suspect will roll out to the entire lineup. Apparently, Apple’s working on some sort of cross-body strap that basically could act as a magnetic lanyard for the phone.
A19 tipped to bring more gains
In my experience, Apple’s A18 chip in the iPhone 16 has been reliable at handling everything I’ve thrown at the phone. From editing 4K videos on the phone, to playing games like Diablo Immortal, the iPhone 16 has been a champ with its processing performance — and the A19 chip should deliver even larger gains for the iPhone 17.
There’s a good chance the system-on-chip will be made using a 3nm manufacturing process, but it’s hinted to offer better transistor density than the 2nd-gen process used to build the A18. More importantly, it should be better equipped to handle any potential new Apple Intelligence features that could be announced at the event.
Paired with a 120Hz refresh rate, I expect the iPhone 17 to deliver just about the smooth gameplay performance I’m already familiar with the Pro models.
Apple-made battery
One of the benefits of employing in-house components is that phone makers can better optimize them to work with other components. Apple’s rumored to be working on making its own batteries with the iPhone 17, and I think that could yield even greater efficiency — more so when it’s paired with the A19 chip.
What makes me even more confident about the iPhone 17 outlasting the iPhone 16 when it comes to battery life performance is that it’s rumored to be getting a larger cell. The leaked regulatory filing report points to a 3,692 mAh battery, which would be a step up over the current 3,561 mAh in the iPhone 16.
Better looking selfies
No matter the condition, I’ve found the iPhone 16 consistently capturing excellent photos. Sure, it doesn’t match the telephoto capabilities of some of the best camera phones, but it gets the job done.
While iPhone 17 camera rumors haven’t yielded anything different or remarkable about the rear cameras, it is tipped to get an upgraded telephoto camera at the very least. This would turn out to be a 24MP selfie camera for the iPhone 17, which I also hope would offer a wider field of view. That way, it could still capture all the details while being able to cram in more faces into the shot.
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