We’re just less than two weeks away from the launch of the iPhone 16 series. But before we get to see those new smartphones, rumours on the iPhone 17 are already surfacing.
iPhone 17 Pro Max rumoured to feature 12GB of RAM and a vapour chamber
According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to come with 12GB of RAM. The regular iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, the so-called iPhone 17 “Slim”, as well as the iPhone SE 4, will instead come with 8GB of RAM. The additional RAM on the iPhone 17 Pro Max should come in handy for its enhanced on-device AI capabilities.
Aside from the performance enhancement, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also rumoured to sport an upgraded cooling system. Kuo says Apple will equip the iPhone 17 Pro Max with a vapour chamber along with graphite sheets, with the latter expected to be featured in the iPhone 16 lineup to solve the iPhone’s infamous overheating issue. The rest of the 2025 iPhone lineup will sport graphite sheets alone for thermal management.
iPhone Pro Max series makes up 40% of new model shipments
The iPhone Pro Max series accounts for nearly 40% of new model shipments. This most probably explains why most of Apple’s new features are first reserved for its Pro Max devices before they make their way to other models.
The iPhone 16 series is set to make its launch at Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event which will be taking place on 9th September this year (2024). The lineup is expected to include the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.
The former two are rumoured to sport Apple's next-generation A18 processor, while the Pro models will sport more powerful A18 Bionic Pro chips. The "regular" iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are also expected to get a new vertically aligned camera island design at the back.
