The iPhone 17 Pro series marked a major shake-up in the Pro series since its introduction in 2019. It introduced a new-ish design (well, new for the iPhone at least), a new all 48 MP camera system, 12GB of RAM, a vapor chamber for cooling, and a lot more.
Which is why it’s no surprise that people flocked to buy the new iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max.
If previous iPhone releases are to be believed, the next one, the iPhone 18 Series, should be more of an incremental improvement rather than reinventing the wheel.
However, rumors about the next iPhone have started to circulate, which suggests much more than just a simple mid-generation upgrade. It definitely raises the question: Should you upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro or wait until the 18 Pro?
Here are a few of the rumored specs that might make you think twice about the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max.
1. The Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island has been a staple of current iPhones since its first appearance on the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max. But that’s about to change with the iPhone 18 Pro.
Rumors have circulated that Apple will move the Face ID flood illuminator beneath the OLED panel, which results in a 35% smaller Dynamic Island. This in turn gives you more real estate and a much sleeker cutout.
2. A “Pro” Camera with Variable Aperture
In terms of photography, only a few have reached the level that the iPhone Pro series operates in. They have always set the bar high. Now, it looks like they’ll be extending that lead further with variable aperture.
Originally, the rumor only suggested a better telephoto camera than the one found on the current iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max. But this has snowballed into something more advanced, like having a variable aperture.
Similar to the ones you’ll find on a full-fledged camera lens, the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max will reportedly feature a mechanical iris that physically adjusts the aperture, which in turn translates into more natural bokeh and better exposure.
3. New Chips All Around
Apple A Series chipsets have set the standard that Qualcomm and MediaTek have strived to achieve, and kudos to them, they’ve actually done it. But it looks like the 18 Pro/Pro Max’s A20 Pro chip is about to set the bar even higher.
It is the first to be made with TSMC’s 2nm process, which means that it’s more efficient and more powerful than any chip that’s currently available.
Even in connectivity, Apple is set to debut their in-house designed C2 modem that offers better data in dead zones and features full 5G data via satellite.
4. A Unified Back Design
The design might not change that much from the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, but Apple is reportedly testing a new process that would improve how it looks. Instead of a two-tone design, the aluminum frame and the back glass will now be one solid color.
Plus there will also be new colors to choose from like Coffee Brown, Deep Purple, and Burgundy.
So… Should You Upgrade?
It depends… If you want the cutting edge then yes, we advise you to hold off. But that’s not to say that the current iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max isn’t a great buy, it’s just that the next iPhone will introduce a bigger leap than the one we currently have.
But then again, these are all still leaks so it’s better to wait and see what the next few months hold because there’s a good chance that it might not happen at all.