July 30, 2025 • 17 mins
We cut through the noise surrounding Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Pro to determine which features will actually impact your daily experience and which are just marketing hype.
• Anti-reflective screen coating could be a game changer for outdoor visibility and scratch resistance
• Potential shift from titanium back to aluminum frames has sparked heated debate about what "premium" means
• New silicon-carbon anode batteries could push the Pro Max to 5,000mAh capacity with AI optimization
• Camera upgrades include possible 8x continuous optical zoom and 48MP telephoto camera
• Performance improvements include A19 Pro chip, 12GB RAM, and vapor chamber cooling
• iPhone lineup becoming more specialized with Pro features increasingly targeting content creators
• The Air model might offer better value with rumored Pro chip in an ultra-thin design
Is the Pro designation still worth it for average users, or are we seeing smartphones reach a point where specialized features matter only to specific user groups?
Leave your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more tech updates and reviews.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ida (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
We try to cut through the noise, get you really informed, and
you know how it is with Apple'sSeptember launches Always a buzz
.
But this year the iPhone 17 Prorumors they're getting loud,
like really loud Promises of newlooks, crazy performance.
Allan (00:19):
Yeah, and that's what we're diving into today.
We're looking at these rumorediPhone 17 Pro features, but you
know specifically from yourperspective, the person actually
using the phone, right, divinginto today we're looking at
these rumored iPhone 17 Profeatures, but you know
specifically from yourperspective, the person actually
using the phone, right, we'vegot stuff from Forbes McCrumor's
chaos, aka news, battery trendanalysis and, really importantly
, what people are actuallysaying on reddit, youtube
(00:40):
reviews, that kind of thingexactly because the big question
really is, with all thesepotential changes swirling
around, what actually matters toyou day to day.
Is it real innovation stuff thatmakes your life easier?
Ida (00:50):
Or is it just you know changes to keep us buying the
next new thing, that wholeupgrade cycle?
Allan (00:55):
That's the goal today.
Cut through the hype.
See what the real world impactmight be for you.
Ida (00:59):
Okay, let's dive in.
Where should we start?
Allan (01:01):
Maybe the outside what you see and touch Sounds good.
Let's start with the screen andthe overall design, because
Forbes and McRumors they'reciting reliable sources about
something pretty anticipated forthe 17 Pro models an
anti-reflective screen.
Ida (01:19):
Oh wow, Anti-reflective that's something I know I've
wished for like countless times,Right?
So, based on what you're seeingin the sources, how big a deal
is this really for someone usingtheir phone every day?
Is it a genuine game changer orjust you know nice?
Allan (01:33):
It honestly could be a game changer for just daily
viewing Really, yeah, thinkabout those times you're outside
, bright sun squinting.
Ida (01:39):
Constantly angling the phone.
Allan (01:41):
Yeah, exactly this promises much easier visibility.
Consistently angling the phoneyeah, exactly this promises much
easier visibility.
The insight here is it mighttake the phone from being kind
of unusable sometimes outdoorsto just consistently readable.
That's a big improvement foryour daily experience.
Ida (01:56):
Okay, that does sound significant.
Allan (01:57):
And there's a bonus mention too Supposedly greater
scratch resistance.
Ida (02:01):
Greater scratch resistance.
Now that's interesting.
I mean people complain aboutmicro-scrrappers all the time,
even on the fancy glass they use.
Now Are the sources saying howmuch better it might be, or is
it just like a general claimtied to the new coating?
Allan (02:13):
It's being reported as a pretty substantial improvement,
like the direct benefit of thecoating technology itself.
Ida (02:19):
Okay.
Allan (02:19):
The implication is it's a real step towards better
protection from just everydaywear and tear.
Ida (02:24):
All right.
Well, an anti-reflective,tougher screen sounds like a
definite win, but not all therumored design changes are
getting that kind of positivereaction, are they?
Allan (02:35):
No, definitely not.
Take the frame material.
There's talk of shifting awayfrom titanium or stainless steel
for the 17 Pro.
Ida (02:41):
Uh-huh Two.
Allan (02:42):
Back to aluminum.
With the back that's describedas part aluminum, part glass.
Ida (02:47):
Aluminum on the Pro.
Okay, I can already hear thekeyboards clacking.
What are people saying?
Allan (02:51):
Oh, it's a real hot button issue.
Reading comments are prettydirect.
Things like seriously is a joke.
Downgrade from titanium toaluminum.
Ida (02:58):
Yeah, I saw that one.
Allan (03:00):
And are they really about to gaslight us on aluminum not
being a downgrade?
Yeah, people feel like proshould mean the absolute top
tier materials.
Ida (03:08):
I get that it feels like a step back and premium feel.
But I've also seen some counterarguments right, Like maybe
it's for sustainability.
Allan (03:16):
Exactly.
Some users are speculating.
Maybe aluminum takes less heatto produce or it's easier to
recycle.
Ida (03:21):
Or maybe just lighter, it could be a plus.
Allan (03:24):
That's another possibility.
It highlights that tension, youknow, Right Between that
premium feel people expect andother factors like weight cost
or maybe even environmentalgoals.
Ida (03:33):
Do the sources give any official why from Apple on this,
or is it all just speculation?
Allan (03:40):
Right now mostly speculation based on the rumors.
Apple rarely telegraphs the whybehind these material choices
beforehand.
The insight is Apple oftenbalances cost, manufacturing
sustainability and user feel.
Ida (03:52):
But when it feels like a downgrade on a pro phone.
Allan (03:55):
That's where you get the friction Exactly.
Ida (03:57):
Okay, and sticking with the outside, the camera bump.
It's not going away, is it?
Allan (04:01):
Doesn't sound like it.
The rumors point to a largerectangular bump, maybe with
rounded corners this time and anew triangular lens layout
inside it.
Ida (04:09):
Triangular.
Okay, and how's that landingwith users?
I'm guessing Not great.
Allan (04:14):
You guessed right.
Lots of criticism.
Saw one comment ugliest backever.
Ouch Another joking.
Now you got a whole stove andthe classic I hate camera bumps.
Ida (04:28):
It's that wobble, isn't it?
When you put it flat on a tableDrives people nuts.
Allan (04:33):
It's a persistent frustration and it brings up
that question for you listening.
What do you value more?
A slightly slimmer phoneoverall, maybe enabled by these
designs, or would you ratherthey just make the phone a tiny
bit thicker, get rid of the bump, maybe add more battery in the
process?
Ida (04:49):
That's the eternal tradeoff , isn't it?
Allan (04:51):
It really is.
Ida (04:51):
Okay, here's where it gets, let's say, really interesting,
almost funny, depending on yourperspective.
The Apple logo.
Allan (04:58):
Yes, the logo.
Ida (04:59):
The rumor is it might be moving lower down on the back.
Allan (05:02):
That's the word and, yeah , this feature has definitely
raised some eyebrows.
Ida (05:05):
I bet.
What are the reactions like?
Allan (05:07):
Pretty much what you expect.
Sarcasm mostly, things like howis Apple logo repositioning a
feature?
Or you know, mockingly it'srevolutionary.
Another one pointed out what atime we live in, when a
repositioned brand logo isconsidered a feature.
Ida (05:21):
It does feel a bit like grasping at straws, maybe to
make it seem like more haschanged.
Allan (05:27):
That's the insight, I think, for a lot of users,
cosmetic tweaks like this justfuel skepticism.
They want real, impactfulchanges, not just rearranging
the furniture on the back.
Ida (05:37):
Right, okay, so that's the controversial exterior.
Let's move inside, under thehood.
What's powering this thing?
Allan (05:43):
Okay Performance.
We're expecting the A19 ProChip built on TSMC's third gen
three nanometer process.
Ida (05:50):
Which means typical Apple improvement modest speed bump,
better power efficiency.
Allan (05:56):
Pretty much that's the usual pattern Modest year over
year gains in performance, butoften useful improvements in how
efficiently it uses power.
Ida (06:03):
And anything else, performance-wise RAM
connectivity.
Allan (06:07):
Yes, actually A potentially significant bump in
RAM rumored 12 gigabytes for the17 Pro models and maybe even
the 17 Air 12 gigs.
Ida (06:15):
Okay, that's quite a jump.
Why is that important?
Allan (06:17):
Well, the insight is that more RAM really helps with
Apple intelligence Features,those AI things need memory and
just smoother multitasking.
As we do more on our phones,that fluidity becomes key.
Ida (06:28):
Makes sense and connectivity.
Allan (06:31):
All four iPhone 17 models are expected to get an
Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip.
Ida (06:35):
Wi-Fi 7.
So faster, more reliableconnections Good.
Allan (06:40):
And one more thing for the Pro models rumored vapor
chamber cooling.
Ida (06:44):
Ah for heat management, especially if you're doing
demanding stuff.
Allan (06:48):
Exactly.
Better heat dissipation couldbe crucial for things like, say,
8K video recording, which isalso rumored.
Ida (06:54):
Okay, so they're definitely still pushing performance,
especially for high-end tasks.
Allan (06:57):
Seems like it.
Now let's talk battery.
Always a big topic, always.
Ida (07:01):
What are the rumors there?
Allan (07:02):
Potentially the biggest battery ever in an iPhone.
For the 17 Pro Max, projectionsare hitting around 5,000
milliamp hours.
Ida (07:09):
Wow, 5,000.
How much bigger is that thanthe current one?
Allan (07:12):
It's about a 7% increase over the expected iPhone 16 Pro
Max battery, which is alreadypretty large at 4,676 milliamps
7% isn't trivial Plus, isn'tthere software optimization
coming too.
Right.
Ios 19 is reportedly going touse machine learning, AI
optimization, to dynamically cutdown power consumption across
(07:34):
all the new models.
Ida (07:35):
Okay, so that 7% battery capacity increase plus AI
optimization.
What does that actuallytranslate to for someone who's
glued to their phone all day?
Is it finally pushing intosolid two-day territory or just
adding a couple more hours?
Allan (07:48):
It could be genuinely transformative for heavy users,
especially on the Pro Max.
That combo might be thedifference between hitting low
battery warnings in the eveningand comfortably getting through
a full day and maybe even partof the next.
The insight isn't just raw size, it's using software smarts to
maximize it, aiming for thattrue all day plus experience.
Ida (08:09):
There's always a but, isn't there.
I heard something about thebattery tech itself changing.
Allan (08:13):
Yeah, the reports mentioned new silicon carbon
anode batteries for the wholeiPhone 17 series.
Ida (08:18):
Silicon carbon, okay, and that requires specialized repair
tools.
Allan (08:21):
Apparently so, yeah, which could make third party
repairs harder or impossible, atleast initially.
Ida (08:27):
Hmm, so better battery maybe, but potentially locking
you more into Apple's repairecosystem.
Allan (08:33):
That's one way to look at it.
It subtly impacts long termcost and repair freedom.
Ida (08:37):
And this still ties into that design debate, right Like
the one word thinner iPhone 17Air.
Even with battery techimprovements, thinner usually
means less space for batteryoverall.
Allan (08:48):
Exactly that tug of war continues.
You get users wanting thatsuper sleek device like the Air,
but others saying just make ita millimeter thicker and give me
a battery that lasts forever.
Apple seems to be trying tocater to both, but with clear
lines Pro Max for battery, airfor thinness, maybe.
Ida (09:06):
It's interesting, though.
You mentioned repair coststhose cheaper battery
replacements like $50, $70.
Data shows around 31% of usersactually choose that route
getting a battery swap insteadof upgrading their whole phone.
Allan (09:17):
That's a really important point.
It shows a big chunk of peopleare pushing back against the
constant upgrade pressure,especially if it's just the
battery dying.
Ida (09:24):
They're saying my phone's fine, just needs new juice.
Allan (09:28):
Exactly.
It shows that for many thevalue prop of a yearly upgrade
just isn't there anymore,especially if a single repair
extends the life significantly.
Ida (09:37):
Okay, let's switch gears to cameras because, let's face it,
for a lot of people the iPhoneis their main camera.
Allan (09:42):
Absolutely, and the 17 Pro rumors suggest some massive
camera upgrades are coming.
Ida (09:49):
Like what Give me the highlights.
Allan (09:51):
First up, an upgraded telephoto lens rumored to go up
to 8x optical zoom.
Ida (09:57):
Eight times, Wow.
That's a big jump from thecurrent 5x on the Pro Max.
Allan (10:01):
Huge jump and there are whispers of continuous optical
zoom within that range, not justfixed points.
Ida (10:06):
Continuous zoom.
That sounds very pro.
What else?
Allan (10:09):
The rear telephoto camera itself might get bumped to 48
megapixels for the pro models.
Ida (10:13):
Okay, more detail.
Allan (10:14):
And all the iPhone 17 models, even the non-pro ones,
are rumored to get an upgradedfront-facing camera, 24
megapixels up from 12.
Ida (10:22):
Better selfies and FaceTime for everyone, then Nice.
Allan (10:24):
Plus, talk of dual video recording, front and back
cameras at the same time.
Ida (10:28):
Ooh vlogger feature.
Allan (10:30):
Definitely, cameras at the same time, ooh, vlogger
feature Definitely.
And 8K video recording, whichwas apparently tested on the 16
Pro, is expected to finallydebut on the 17 Pro.
Ida (10:40):
So the hardware is getting seriously beefed up, especially
for video creators.
Allan (10:44):
That's the clear direction.
The insight is they're pushingthe iPhone deeper into that
professional content creationspace.
Ida (10:50):
Which makes sense if you're trying to justify the pro name.
Right, but it's not justhardware, is it?
There's talk about software too.
Allan (10:57):
Right Rumors of an all-new pro camera app from
Apple, or maybe a big update totheir Final Cut camera app,
something to really compete withpopular third-party apps like
Halide.
Ida (11:08):
Okay, so giving pros more control.
Allan (11:10):
And adding to that pro focus, there's another hardware
rumor An additional cameracontrol button.
Ida (11:14):
Wait, another one Besides the capture button they added
where would this one go?
Allan (11:17):
Rumored to be on the top edge of the phone, complementing
the one on the bottom right.
Ida (11:22):
Huh, an extra camera button .
How's that going down online?
Let me guess Mixed feelings.
Allan (11:28):
You got it?
Comments on Reddit like soundsunnecessary or please no more
additional camera controlbuttons.
Ida (11:33):
Yeah, I can see that it feels like it could clutter the
design for people who aren'thardcore photographers.
Allan (11:38):
Exactly.
Apple's stated goal, supposedly, is to emphasize the iPhone 17
Pro's improved video recordingcapabilities, targeting vloggers
and creators.
Ida (11:49):
So it comes back to that question.
These are definitely profeatures, but do they make sense
for the average user?
Does it justify the name andmaybe the price for everyone?
Allan (11:58):
That's the core debate.
These features might actuallymake the phone less appealing or
more complex for someone whojust wants to point and shoot,
reinforcing the idea that pro isbecoming more niche.
Ida (12:09):
Okay.
So putting it all together, allthese potential changes, the
screen, the aluminum, thebattery differences, the crazy
cameras, how does someoneactually choose, especially
between the Pro and the Pro Max,or maybe even throwing the new
Air into the mix?
Allan (12:23):
Yeah, that Pro versus Pro Max dilemma is always tough and
the 17 series looks set tocontinue.
It maybe even complicated withthe Air getting stronger.
Ida (12:31):
What were the key differences people focused on
with the last generation, the15s?
That probably gives us clues.
Allan (12:37):
Definitely.
A YouTube reviewer broke itdown well Obvious one Screen
size 6.1-inch Pro versus6.7-inch Pro Max.
That's fundamental.
Ida (12:46):
Right Hand feel pocketability.
Allan (12:48):
Then the telephoto camera .
On the 15s it was 3x for thePro, 5x for the Pro Max, with
the 17 Pro rumored to get that8x zoom.
Ida (12:56):
That difference in zoom capability will likely still be
a major Pro Max advantage.
Allan (13:00):
Almost certainly, and battery life of the Pro Max just
consistently offers moreusually 3-5 hours extra screen
time.
That's huge for many.
Ida (13:08):
But didn't you say they might be getting lighter this
year and less sharp edges?
Allan (13:12):
Yes, both 17 Pro models rumored to be 8-9% lighter with
curved edges.
That same reviewer said thedifference in feel moving away
from the boxy design wasshockingly noticeable.
Ida (13:24):
Okay, that could make the Pro Max feel less like a brick,
but still that pinky pain fromholding the bigger phone it's
real.
It absolutely is One-handed usetyping.
Allan (13:31):
It's real.
It absolutely is One-handed usetyping.
It's just generally easier onthe standard Pro.
Ida (13:36):
The.
Allan (13:36):
Pro Max can feel unwieldy , especially if you don't have
huge hands.
Ida (13:39):
And then fitting it in your pocket.
Pro usually wins there.
Allan (13:41):
For sure.
So even if it's lighter, thephysical size is still a major
deciding factor.
Ida (13:46):
And price.
Don't forget price.
Didn't Apple make the Pro Maxeffectively more expensive last
time by ditching the basestorage?
Allan (13:52):
They did.
The 15 Pro Max started at 256GB for $1,199, while the 15 Pro
started at 128 GB for $999.
That automatically created a$200 gap right at the entry
point.
Ida (14:06):
Which definitely pushes some people away from the Max if
they don't need all thatstorage.
Allan (14:10):
Exactly so.
All these factors feed intothis idea of the evolving pro
brand.
Ida (14:19):
Is it just better, or is it really for professionals?
What?
Allan (14:20):
are people saying about that?
Well, 9to5Mac had aninteresting take.
Looking at the MacBook Pro andiPad Pro lines.
Those are now verydifferentiated, very expensive,
clearly targeting pros.
Ida (14:29):
Right, which makes the non-pro versions like the M3
iPad Air, really appealing formost people.
Allan (14:34):
And the argument is maybe the iPhone is heading that way
too, especially if the iPhone 17Air gets rumored upgrades like
the A19 Pro Chip and 12GB RAM.
Ida (14:42):
Wait, the Air might get the Pro Chip.
Allan (14:43):
That's one of the rumors Plus an ultra thin design, so
you might have an Air that'ssuper powerful, looks great.
Ida (14:48):
And maybe more appealing to the average person than the Pro
with its super specializedcameras and extra buttons.
Allan (14:54):
That's the potential shift.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro movingaway from the mainstream?
Are you, the listener, stilldrawn to those Pro camera
features, or is the Air startingto look like the smarter buy?
Ida (15:08):
It's a good question.
We see that sentiment onlinetoo, don't we People saying the
upgrades aren't compelling, yearafter year?
Allan (15:13):
Yeah, comments like, none of which affect my everyday
life as a 16 Pro owner, orsimply no way.
Should most people be upgradingevery year?
There's definite upgradefatigue setting in.
For some, the Pro featuresmight not feel worth it compared
to a good air or even justkeeping their existing phone
longer.
Ida (15:31):
Okay, so let's try to wrap this up.
We've covered a lot in thisdeep dive on the iPhone 17 Pro
rumors.
Allan (15:36):
We have.
It's a real mix, isn't it?
Ida (15:39):
Yeah, a blend of things that sound genuinely innovative,
maybe even game-changing fordaily use that anti-reflective
screen, potentially huge batterygains on the Max, the camera
tech getting pushed further, butthen mixed with these more
controversial changes thepotential switch back to
aluminum, that camera bumpsticking around the infamous
(15:59):
repositioned logo.
Allan (16:00):
And user reaction is clearly divided on those Some
see benefits, others seedowngrades or just pointlessness
.
Ida (16:06):
So the choice for you, the consumer, it's getting more
complicated.
It feels like you have toreally weigh those specialized
pro features which seemincreasingly aimed at creators.
Allan (16:15):
Against maybe a more balanced but still very powerful
Air model, or just holding onto what you have.
It's not a simple pro is bestdecision anymore.
Ida (16:24):
It really makes you think, which leads us to our final
thought for you to chew on.
Allan (16:27):
Okay.
Ida (16:27):
In a world where smartphones are already
incredibly capable, what doespro even mean anymore for the
average person's daily life?
Is Apple designing thesetop-tier phones for everyone, or
are they increasingly for aspecific niche the power users,
the vloggers, the mobilefilmmakers?
Allan (16:44):
And if that's the case, are the rest of us better off
considering if, sometimes, lessis actually more?
Ida (16:51):
What does a feature truly mean to you when you pick up
your phone every single day?
How long until that pro labelfeels less like an essential
upgrade and more like somethingelse entirely?
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
We try to cut through the noise, get you really informed, and
you know how it is with Apple'sSeptember launches Always a buzz
.
But this year the iPhone 17 Prorumors they're getting loud,
like really loud Promises of newlooks, crazy performance.
Allan (00:19):
Yeah, and that's what we're diving into today.
We're looking at these rumorediPhone 17 Pro features, but you
know specifically from yourperspective, the person actually
using the phone, right, divinginto today we're looking at
these rumored iPhone 17 Profeatures, but you know
specifically from yourperspective, the person actually
using the phone, right, we'vegot stuff from Forbes McCrumor's
chaos, aka news, battery trendanalysis and, really importantly
, what people are actuallysaying on reddit, youtube
(00:40):
reviews, that kind of thingexactly because the big question
really is, with all thesepotential changes swirling
around, what actually matters toyou day to day.
Is it real innovation stuff thatmakes your life easier?
Ida (00:50):
Or is it just you know changes to keep us buying the
next new thing, that wholeupgrade cycle?
Allan (00:55):
That's the goal today.
Cut through the hype.
See what the real world impactmight be for you.
Ida (00:59):
Okay, let's dive in.
Where should we start?
Allan (01:01):
Maybe the outside what you see and touch Sounds good.
Let's start with the screen andthe overall design, because
Forbes and McRumors they'reciting reliable sources about
something pretty anticipated forthe 17 Pro models an
anti-reflective screen.
Ida (01:19):
Oh wow, Anti-reflective that's something I know I've
wished for like countless times,Right?
So, based on what you're seeingin the sources, how big a deal
is this really for someone usingtheir phone every day?
Is it a genuine game changer orjust you know nice?
Allan (01:33):
It honestly could be a game changer for just daily
viewing Really, yeah, thinkabout those times you're outside
, bright sun squinting.
Ida (01:39):
Constantly angling the phone.
Allan (01:41):
Yeah, exactly this promises much easier visibility.
Consistently angling the phoneyeah, exactly this promises much
easier visibility.
The insight here is it mighttake the phone from being kind
of unusable sometimes outdoorsto just consistently readable.
That's a big improvement foryour daily experience.
Ida (01:56):
Okay, that does sound significant.
Allan (01:57):
And there's a bonus mention too Supposedly greater
scratch resistance.
Ida (02:01):
Greater scratch resistance.
Now that's interesting.
I mean people complain aboutmicro-scrrappers all the time,
even on the fancy glass they use.
Now Are the sources saying howmuch better it might be, or is
it just like a general claimtied to the new coating?
Allan (02:13):
It's being reported as a pretty substantial improvement,
like the direct benefit of thecoating technology itself.
Ida (02:19):
Okay.
Allan (02:19):
The implication is it's a real step towards better
protection from just everydaywear and tear.
Ida (02:24):
All right.
Well, an anti-reflective,tougher screen sounds like a
definite win, but not all therumored design changes are
getting that kind of positivereaction, are they?
Allan (02:35):
No, definitely not.
Take the frame material.
There's talk of shifting awayfrom titanium or stainless steel
for the 17 Pro.
Ida (02:41):
Uh-huh Two.
Allan (02:42):
Back to aluminum.
With the back that's describedas part aluminum, part glass.
Ida (02:47):
Aluminum on the Pro.
Okay, I can already hear thekeyboards clacking.
What are people saying?
Allan (02:51):
Oh, it's a real hot button issue.
Reading comments are prettydirect.
Things like seriously is a joke.
Downgrade from titanium toaluminum.
Ida (02:58):
Yeah, I saw that one.
Allan (03:00):
And are they really about to gaslight us on aluminum not
being a downgrade?
Yeah, people feel like proshould mean the absolute top
tier materials.
Ida (03:08):
I get that it feels like a step back and premium feel.
But I've also seen some counterarguments right, Like maybe
it's for sustainability.
Allan (03:16):
Exactly.
Some users are speculating.
Maybe aluminum takes less heatto produce or it's easier to
recycle.
Ida (03:21):
Or maybe just lighter, it could be a plus.
Allan (03:24):
That's another possibility.
It highlights that tension, youknow, Right Between that
premium feel people expect andother factors like weight cost
or maybe even environmentalgoals.
Ida (03:33):
Do the sources give any official why from Apple on this,
or is it all just speculation?
Allan (03:40):
Right now mostly speculation based on the rumors.
Apple rarely telegraphs the whybehind these material choices
beforehand.
The insight is Apple oftenbalances cost, manufacturing
sustainability and user feel.
Ida (03:52):
But when it feels like a downgrade on a pro phone.
Allan (03:55):
That's where you get the friction Exactly.
Ida (03:57):
Okay, and sticking with the outside, the camera bump.
It's not going away, is it?
Allan (04:01):
Doesn't sound like it.
The rumors point to a largerectangular bump, maybe with
rounded corners this time and anew triangular lens layout
inside it.
Ida (04:09):
Triangular.
Okay, and how's that landingwith users?
I'm guessing Not great.
Allan (04:14):
You guessed right.
Lots of criticism.
Saw one comment ugliest backever.
Ouch Another joking.
Now you got a whole stove andthe classic I hate camera bumps.
Ida (04:28):
It's that wobble, isn't it?
When you put it flat on a tableDrives people nuts.
Allan (04:33):
It's a persistent frustration and it brings up
that question for you listening.
What do you value more?
A slightly slimmer phoneoverall, maybe enabled by these
designs, or would you ratherthey just make the phone a tiny
bit thicker, get rid of the bump, maybe add more battery in the
process?
Ida (04:49):
That's the eternal tradeoff , isn't it?
Allan (04:51):
It really is.
Ida (04:51):
Okay, here's where it gets, let's say, really interesting,
almost funny, depending on yourperspective.
The Apple logo.
Allan (04:58):
Yes, the logo.
Ida (04:59):
The rumor is it might be moving lower down on the back.
Allan (05:02):
That's the word and, yeah , this feature has definitely
raised some eyebrows.
Ida (05:05):
I bet.
What are the reactions like?
Allan (05:07):
Pretty much what you expect.
Sarcasm mostly, things like howis Apple logo repositioning a
feature?
Or you know, mockingly it'srevolutionary.
Another one pointed out what atime we live in, when a
repositioned brand logo isconsidered a feature.
Ida (05:21):
It does feel a bit like grasping at straws, maybe to
make it seem like more haschanged.
Allan (05:27):
That's the insight, I think, for a lot of users,
cosmetic tweaks like this justfuel skepticism.
They want real, impactfulchanges, not just rearranging
the furniture on the back.
Ida (05:37):
Right, okay, so that's the controversial exterior.
Let's move inside, under thehood.
What's powering this thing?
Allan (05:43):
Okay Performance.
We're expecting the A19 ProChip built on TSMC's third gen
three nanometer process.
Ida (05:50):
Which means typical Apple improvement modest speed bump,
better power efficiency.
Allan (05:56):
Pretty much that's the usual pattern Modest year over
year gains in performance, butoften useful improvements in how
efficiently it uses power.
Ida (06:03):
And anything else, performance-wise RAM
connectivity.
Allan (06:07):
Yes, actually A potentially significant bump in
RAM rumored 12 gigabytes for the17 Pro models and maybe even
the 17 Air 12 gigs.
Ida (06:15):
Okay, that's quite a jump.
Why is that important?
Allan (06:17):
Well, the insight is that more RAM really helps with
Apple intelligence Features,those AI things need memory and
just smoother multitasking.
As we do more on our phones,that fluidity becomes key.
Ida (06:28):
Makes sense and connectivity.
Allan (06:31):
All four iPhone 17 models are expected to get an
Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip.
Ida (06:35):
Wi-Fi 7.
So faster, more reliableconnections Good.
Allan (06:40):
And one more thing for the Pro models rumored vapor
chamber cooling.
Ida (06:44):
Ah for heat management, especially if you're doing
demanding stuff.
Allan (06:48):
Exactly.
Better heat dissipation couldbe crucial for things like, say,
8K video recording, which isalso rumored.
Ida (06:54):
Okay, so they're definitely still pushing performance,
especially for high-end tasks.
Allan (06:57):
Seems like it.
Now let's talk battery.
Always a big topic, always.
Ida (07:01):
What are the rumors there?
Allan (07:02):
Potentially the biggest battery ever in an iPhone.
For the 17 Pro Max, projectionsare hitting around 5,000
milliamp hours.
Ida (07:09):
Wow, 5,000.
How much bigger is that thanthe current one?
Allan (07:12):
It's about a 7% increase over the expected iPhone 16 Pro
Max battery, which is alreadypretty large at 4,676 milliamps
7% isn't trivial Plus, isn'tthere software optimization
coming too.
Right.
Ios 19 is reportedly going touse machine learning, AI
optimization, to dynamically cutdown power consumption across
(07:34):
all the new models.
Ida (07:35):
Okay, so that 7% battery capacity increase plus AI
optimization.
What does that actuallytranslate to for someone who's
glued to their phone all day?
Is it finally pushing intosolid two-day territory or just
adding a couple more hours?
Allan (07:48):
It could be genuinely transformative for heavy users,
especially on the Pro Max.
That combo might be thedifference between hitting low
battery warnings in the eveningand comfortably getting through
a full day and maybe even partof the next.
The insight isn't just raw size, it's using software smarts to
maximize it, aiming for thattrue all day plus experience.
Ida (08:09):
There's always a but, isn't there.
I heard something about thebattery tech itself changing.
Allan (08:13):
Yeah, the reports mentioned new silicon carbon
anode batteries for the wholeiPhone 17 series.
Ida (08:18):
Silicon carbon, okay, and that requires specialized repair
tools.
Allan (08:21):
Apparently so, yeah, which could make third party
repairs harder or impossible, atleast initially.
Ida (08:27):
Hmm, so better battery maybe, but potentially locking
you more into Apple's repairecosystem.
Allan (08:33):
That's one way to look at it.
It subtly impacts long termcost and repair freedom.
Ida (08:37):
And this still ties into that design debate, right Like
the one word thinner iPhone 17Air.
Even with battery techimprovements, thinner usually
means less space for batteryoverall.
Allan (08:48):
Exactly that tug of war continues.
You get users wanting thatsuper sleek device like the Air,
but others saying just make ita millimeter thicker and give me
a battery that lasts forever.
Apple seems to be trying tocater to both, but with clear
lines Pro Max for battery, airfor thinness, maybe.
Ida (09:06):
It's interesting, though.
You mentioned repair coststhose cheaper battery
replacements like $50, $70.
Data shows around 31% of usersactually choose that route
getting a battery swap insteadof upgrading their whole phone.
Allan (09:17):
That's a really important point.
It shows a big chunk of peopleare pushing back against the
constant upgrade pressure,especially if it's just the
battery dying.
Ida (09:24):
They're saying my phone's fine, just needs new juice.
Allan (09:28):
Exactly.
It shows that for many thevalue prop of a yearly upgrade
just isn't there anymore,especially if a single repair
extends the life significantly.
Ida (09:37):
Okay, let's switch gears to cameras because, let's face it,
for a lot of people the iPhoneis their main camera.
Allan (09:42):
Absolutely, and the 17 Pro rumors suggest some massive
camera upgrades are coming.
Ida (09:49):
Like what Give me the highlights.
Allan (09:51):
First up, an upgraded telephoto lens rumored to go up
to 8x optical zoom.
Ida (09:57):
Eight times, Wow.
That's a big jump from thecurrent 5x on the Pro Max.
Allan (10:01):
Huge jump and there are whispers of continuous optical
zoom within that range, not justfixed points.
Ida (10:06):
Continuous zoom.
That sounds very pro.
What else?
Allan (10:09):
The rear telephoto camera itself might get bumped to 48
megapixels for the pro models.
Ida (10:13):
Okay, more detail.
Allan (10:14):
And all the iPhone 17 models, even the non-pro ones,
are rumored to get an upgradedfront-facing camera, 24
megapixels up from 12.
Ida (10:22):
Better selfies and FaceTime for everyone, then Nice.
Allan (10:24):
Plus, talk of dual video recording, front and back
cameras at the same time.
Ida (10:28):
Ooh vlogger feature.
Allan (10:30):
Definitely, cameras at the same time, ooh, vlogger
feature Definitely.
And 8K video recording, whichwas apparently tested on the 16
Pro, is expected to finallydebut on the 17 Pro.
Ida (10:40):
So the hardware is getting seriously beefed up, especially
for video creators.
Allan (10:44):
That's the clear direction.
The insight is they're pushingthe iPhone deeper into that
professional content creationspace.
Ida (10:50):
Which makes sense if you're trying to justify the pro name.
Right, but it's not justhardware, is it?
There's talk about software too.
Allan (10:57):
Right Rumors of an all-new pro camera app from
Apple, or maybe a big update totheir Final Cut camera app,
something to really compete withpopular third-party apps like
Halide.
Ida (11:08):
Okay, so giving pros more control.
Allan (11:10):
And adding to that pro focus, there's another hardware
rumor An additional cameracontrol button.
Ida (11:14):
Wait, another one Besides the capture button they added
where would this one go?
Allan (11:17):
Rumored to be on the top edge of the phone, complementing
the one on the bottom right.
Ida (11:22):
Huh, an extra camera button .
How's that going down online?
Let me guess Mixed feelings.
Allan (11:28):
You got it?
Comments on Reddit like soundsunnecessary or please no more
additional camera controlbuttons.
Ida (11:33):
Yeah, I can see that it feels like it could clutter the
design for people who aren'thardcore photographers.
Allan (11:38):
Exactly.
Apple's stated goal, supposedly, is to emphasize the iPhone 17
Pro's improved video recordingcapabilities, targeting vloggers
and creators.
Ida (11:49):
So it comes back to that question.
These are definitely profeatures, but do they make sense
for the average user?
Does it justify the name andmaybe the price for everyone?
Allan (11:58):
That's the core debate.
These features might actuallymake the phone less appealing or
more complex for someone whojust wants to point and shoot,
reinforcing the idea that pro isbecoming more niche.
Ida (12:09):
Okay.
So putting it all together, allthese potential changes, the
screen, the aluminum, thebattery differences, the crazy
cameras, how does someoneactually choose, especially
between the Pro and the Pro Max,or maybe even throwing the new
Air into the mix?
Allan (12:23):
Yeah, that Pro versus Pro Max dilemma is always tough and
the 17 series looks set tocontinue.
It maybe even complicated withthe Air getting stronger.
Ida (12:31):
What were the key differences people focused on
with the last generation, the15s?
That probably gives us clues.
Allan (12:37):
Definitely.
A YouTube reviewer broke itdown well Obvious one Screen
size 6.1-inch Pro versus6.7-inch Pro Max.
That's fundamental.
Ida (12:46):
Right Hand feel pocketability.
Allan (12:48):
Then the telephoto camera .
On the 15s it was 3x for thePro, 5x for the Pro Max, with
the 17 Pro rumored to get that8x zoom.
Ida (12:56):
That difference in zoom capability will likely still be
a major Pro Max advantage.
Allan (13:00):
Almost certainly, and battery life of the Pro Max just
consistently offers moreusually 3-5 hours extra screen
time.
That's huge for many.
Ida (13:08):
But didn't you say they might be getting lighter this
year and less sharp edges?
Allan (13:12):
Yes, both 17 Pro models rumored to be 8-9% lighter with
curved edges.
That same reviewer said thedifference in feel moving away
from the boxy design wasshockingly noticeable.
Ida (13:24):
Okay, that could make the Pro Max feel less like a brick,
but still that pinky pain fromholding the bigger phone it's
real.
It absolutely is One-handed usetyping.
Allan (13:31):
It's real.
It absolutely is One-handed usetyping.
It's just generally easier onthe standard Pro.
Ida (13:36):
The.
Allan (13:36):
Pro Max can feel unwieldy , especially if you don't have
huge hands.
Ida (13:39):
And then fitting it in your pocket.
Pro usually wins there.
Allan (13:41):
For sure.
So even if it's lighter, thephysical size is still a major
deciding factor.
Ida (13:46):
And price.
Don't forget price.
Didn't Apple make the Pro Maxeffectively more expensive last
time by ditching the basestorage?
Allan (13:52):
They did.
The 15 Pro Max started at 256GB for $1,199, while the 15 Pro
started at 128 GB for $999.
That automatically created a$200 gap right at the entry
point.
Ida (14:06):
Which definitely pushes some people away from the Max if
they don't need all thatstorage.
Allan (14:10):
Exactly so.
All these factors feed intothis idea of the evolving pro
brand.
Ida (14:19):
Is it just better, or is it really for professionals?
What?
Allan (14:20):
are people saying about that?
Well, 9to5Mac had aninteresting take.
Looking at the MacBook Pro andiPad Pro lines.
Those are now verydifferentiated, very expensive,
clearly targeting pros.
Ida (14:29):
Right, which makes the non-pro versions like the M3
iPad Air, really appealing formost people.
Allan (14:34):
And the argument is maybe the iPhone is heading that way
too, especially if the iPhone 17Air gets rumored upgrades like
the A19 Pro Chip and 12GB RAM.
Ida (14:42):
Wait, the Air might get the Pro Chip.
Allan (14:43):
That's one of the rumors Plus an ultra thin design, so
you might have an Air that'ssuper powerful, looks great.
Ida (14:48):
And maybe more appealing to the average person than the Pro
with its super specializedcameras and extra buttons.
Allan (14:54):
That's the potential shift.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro movingaway from the mainstream?
Are you, the listener, stilldrawn to those Pro camera
features, or is the Air startingto look like the smarter buy?
Ida (15:08):
It's a good question.
We see that sentiment onlinetoo, don't we People saying the
upgrades aren't compelling, yearafter year?
Allan (15:13):
Yeah, comments like, none of which affect my everyday
life as a 16 Pro owner, orsimply no way.
Should most people be upgradingevery year?
There's definite upgradefatigue setting in.
For some, the Pro featuresmight not feel worth it compared
to a good air or even justkeeping their existing phone
longer.
Ida (15:31):
Okay, so let's try to wrap this up.
We've covered a lot in thisdeep dive on the iPhone 17 Pro
rumors.
Allan (15:36):
We have.
It's a real mix, isn't it?
Ida (15:39):
Yeah, a blend of things that sound genuinely innovative,
maybe even game-changing fordaily use that anti-reflective
screen, potentially huge batterygains on the Max, the camera
tech getting pushed further, butthen mixed with these more
controversial changes thepotential switch back to
aluminum, that camera bumpsticking around the infamous
(15:59):
repositioned logo.
Allan (16:00):
And user reaction is clearly divided on those Some
see benefits, others seedowngrades or just pointlessness
.
Ida (16:06):
So the choice for you, the consumer, it's getting more
complicated.
It feels like you have toreally weigh those specialized
pro features which seemincreasingly aimed at creators.
Allan (16:15):
Against maybe a more balanced but still very powerful
Air model, or just holding onto what you have.
It's not a simple pro is bestdecision anymore.
Ida (16:24):
It really makes you think, which leads us to our final
thought for you to chew on.
Allan (16:27):
Okay.
Ida (16:27):
In a world where smartphones are already
incredibly capable, what doespro even mean anymore for the
average person's daily life?
Is Apple designing thesetop-tier phones for everyone, or
are they increasingly for aspecific niche the power users,
the vloggers, the mobilefilmmakers?
Allan (16:44):
And if that's the case, are the rest of us better off
considering if, sometimes, lessis actually more?
Ida (16:51):
What does a feature truly mean to you when you pick up
your phone every single day?
How long until that pro labelfeels less like an essential
upgrade and more like somethingelse entirely?
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