Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly column from DMN that provides a brief overview of the latest Apple product speculations, alongside insights and opinions. Today, we dive into Apple’s plans for major product releases in 2025, including enhancements to the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera, the slim profile of the 17 Air, and more. Here’s a summary of this week’s Apple rumors.
iPhone 17 Pro upgrades all cameras to 48MP
Recently, leaker Digital Chat Station revealed anticipated camera enhancements for the iPhone 17 series. They reiterated earlier reports that all models in the iPhone 17 family will feature 24MP selfie cameras, a notable upgrade from the previous 12MP.
Additionally, it was disclosed that both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will be equipped with 48MP sensors across all three rear cameras. While the main camera upgraded to 48MP on the iPhone 15 Pro, the Ultra Wide adopted this change with the 16 Pro, making the upcoming 17 Pro likely to complete this upgrade with the Telephoto lens also receiving 48MP.
Insights
Apple appears to be pursuing a dual strategy with its flagship iPhone 17 models.
The iPhone 17 Air will likely forego the Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses to prioritize a sleeker design and manage production costs more effectively.
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are set to enhance their camera capabilities by introducing what could be Apple’s first full array of 48MP lenses. It’s reasonable to anticipate additional significant upgrades to the Pro series cameras to further distinguish them from the Air model this year.
iPhone 17 Air to feature a 5.5mm frame
Regarding the iPhone 17 Air, Ming-Chi Kuo reported this week that the eagerly awaited device could feature its ‘thinnest segment at around 5.5mm.’
This is a notable reduction from the previously rumored 6.25mm, bringing it close to the thickness of the M4 iPad Pro. The term ‘thinnest part’ raises questions about what that entails.
Insights
Since Kuo’s article emerged, I’ve considered the potential for a tapered design for the iPhone 17 Air.
This design would nod to the iconic and cherished MacBook Air aesthetic. It would allow Apple to emphasize the phone’s ultra-slim profile while possibly overlooking the fact that other parts of the device may be thicker.
A tapered design could distinctly set the iPhone 17 Air apart, putting additional pressure on the 17 Pro to attract consumers.
Apple’s product plans for 2025
Over the weekend, Mark Gurman shared insight into Apple’s product release plans set for the upcoming year.
Noteworthy highlights include:
Insights
Gurman has reliable sources within Apple, so I fully trust the information he has provided. However, some of his insights can be somewhat ambiguous.
For instance, he suggests that the delay regarding the HomePod’s features will be minimal. He states that it hinges on new capabilities for Siri and app interactions, which are expected to launch with iOS 18.4 this April. Nevertheless, several reports mistakenly interpreted Gurman’s mention of iOS 19 as a sign of significant delays for the device.
Regarding Vision Pro 2, its absence isn’t definitively ruled out. Gurman’s comment was:
Currently, I don’t foresee a new headset from Apple launching this year, though there is a possibility for an announcement prior to its release.
If Apple decides to release a minor update of the Vision Pro with the M5 chip, as previously suggested by Ming-Chi Kuo, the process could be relatively straightforward for the company and its design teams. Consequently, Apple could introduce it in 2025 with little in the way of leaks leading up to it.
By interpreting the nuances, it seems Gurman may be aware of this, hence his cautious stance about whether a new Vision Pro will be available. I’ll be keen to see if this situation evolves, especially if Apple has significant announcements regarding visionOS 3 at WWDC.
Which upcoming Apple products for 2025 are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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