Updated March 26 with details of new OLED panels reported to be coming to the iPhone 17 series.
There have been plenty of rumors about the iPhone 17 series, expected this September. But now, there’s a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, known for his wide-ranging insider knowledge. And a new report adds to the extensive commentary from Gurman, focusing on the displays on the iPhone 17 series.
Apple iPhone displays are about to change, it seems.
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Let’s start with that. According to details from Jukanlosreve, revealing a tip on X, the next iPhone flagships will have an upgraded display.
ForbesApple iOS 18.4 Release Date: Exactly When Major New iPhone Update Will LandBy David PhelanThat’s for every phone in the series, not just the Pro models. It’s already been reported that the iPhone 17 series will introduce ProMotion to the non-Pro models—something Gurman touches on as we’ll see later. But now, it seems that a newer display, an M14 OLED panel as it’s called, will come to all four iPhones, including the slender iPhone 17 Air.
If true, it will mark the first time that the Pro and non-Pro displays are identical (apart from size). The M14 displays, to get into the nitty gritty, is known for being more efficient in the blue-emitting layer, as WCCFTech reports. “This advantage helps to increase brightness levels by 30 percent compared to the older M13 displays while also upping the lifespan,” it says.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman sums up his thoughts about what’s coming this fall. He talks about all four of the expected iPhones, and which ones he thinks are worth considering. Here’s what he thinks, and my take on his thoughts.
He begins less-than-excited, it seems. “The standard iPhone 17 will follow the same pattern as recent years by not getting major new features. Apple reserves its latest bells and whistles for the higher-end models, and I don’t expect that to change this year,” Gurman says.
That doesn’t sound great, but let’s remember that the iPhone 16 was one of the biggest upgrades to the base iPhone in years, bringing it close to the iPhone 16 Pro in a lot of ways—though I still miss the ProMotion display with faster refresh rate that the Pro models have as an exclusive.
Gurman has something to say about that, as it happens. “As others have reported, the device is likely to get some small enhancements to its rear camera, as well as a ProMotion display, which allows for smoother scrolling and animation,” he suggests, and I think this is likely to happen. What else?
“The Pro models, meanwhile, will get major camera system upgrades, including 48-megapixel sensors across the back trio of cameras.”
There are currently two 48-megapixel cameras and one 12-megapixel sensor, the telephoto. Three cameras with the same higher pixel count could deliver numerous new features.
Finally, Gurman gives us his choice, “Given its price point, the iPhone 17 will remain a solid offering in the Apple lineup. But if I were springing for something in the $800 range, I’d try to reach another $100 or so and just get the skinny new iPhone 17 Air. You really won’t be losing that much in terms of the specifications, and you’ll be gaining a remarkably thin and light phone (with considerably more screen real estate),” he says.
This makes sense, though I think we need to know a lot more about the Air before being sure. Personally, I think a number of people may trade down from the Pro to the Air to get what’s likely to be a snazzy new design for $100 less than the price of the Pro.
ForbesApple iPhone 17 Air: New Leaks Reveal Trove Of Design Changes And FeaturesBy David Phelan
