Apple Rumoured to Ditch iPhone 17 Plus, With iPhone 17 Slim
The iPhone 16 will be released in September. However, people are already talking about the iPhone 17. Rumors are particularly hot that there will be an iPhone 17 Slim instead of the iPhone 17 Plus. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made a prediction that iPhone Plus models make up only a small percentage of iPhone shipments, accounting for around 5-10% of total sales. This relatively low demand could be a reason why Apple may discontinue this particular line.
Interestingly, this change comes with a twist. He reports, that this new model will feature only a single rear camera, which is unusual since most smartphones now feature more complex camera systems.
Besides, Kuo thinks Apple is focusing more on a sleek and innovative design rather than trying to compete with other brands on hardware specs with this model. In other words, the iPhone 17 Slim will focus on design rather than performance.
Ultra-Thin Design
The Slim model will be super-thin, just like the iPad Pro 2024 is Apple's thinnest iPad ever. Based on the information revealed recently, a sketch of this smartphone model has also appeared.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Slim will have a 6.6-inch screen. That's 0.1 inch smaller than the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max. The resolution will be 2,740 x 1,250 pixels. The device will also be equipped with the latest A19 chip. The iPhone 17 Slim is also said to use Apple's long-delayed in-house 5G chip and feature just a single camera on the back like the iPhone XR.
Moreover, the phone will still have a Dynamic Island screen and the metal frame will use a titanium alloy with a lower titanium ratio than the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Meanwhile, sources from MacRumors said that the device will have the main camera system placed horizontally instead of in the upper left corner on the back as it is now. The Dynamic Island notch will also be redesigned to be neater, increasing the display area on the front.
Price and Release Date
However, to own this product, the amount of money that users need to spend is not cheap. Leaked sources indicate that the iPhone 17 will have a starting price of $799, the iPhone Pro will cost from $1,099 and up, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will retain its current starting price of $1,199.
If the rumors are true, the iPhone Slim will be the most expensive of the four models, priced at $1,299. In theory, the Slim may not have the same specs as the Pro Max, but the aesthetics of the phone will be enough to convince some users. Leaked information reveals that Apple plans to release the iPhone 17 series in September next year to keep up with its long-standing tradition.
