The iPhone in 2025: What Lies Beyond the iPhone 17
Apple’s plans for 2025 may extend well beyond the expected successors to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. If recent reports hold true, next year could introduce several groundbreaking changes for the iPhone 17 lineup.
Among the potential firsts, Apple might unveil its inaugural “slim” iPhone model, integrate its own 5G modems for the first time, and introduce an iPhone SE with Face ID. Additionally, Apple’s vision for AI on the iPhone is likely to take center stage, as the initial rollout of Apple Intelligence appears to be just the beginning.
Apple faces increasing pressure to entice consumers to upgrade their devices, especially as smartphone owners hold onto their phones for longer periods. A CNET survey conducted with YouGov found that 44% of users only replace their phones when absolutely necessary. However, with rumored models such as the iPhone 17 Slim and a redesigned budget-friendly iPhone, Apple may have a stronger chance of capturing consumer interest.
That said, success will depend on execution. If Apple releases a thinner iPhone, it could come at a premium price. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence has received a lukewarm reception thus far, so the company will need to impress with new and compelling features in 2025.
The appeal of the iPhone 17 Slim would be its design.
While competitors like Samsung and Google have embraced foldable screens, Apple is reportedly opting for a different approach—creating a dramatically thinner iPhone instead. Sources including The Information, Bloomberg, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that Apple may introduce a significantly slimmer iPhone in 2025 in place of the iPhone 17 Plus.
The appeal of the iPhone 17 Slim would be its design. Expected to have specifications similar to the standard iPhone 17, it may come with some trade-offs, such as a single rear camera instead of the dual-camera setup found on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. Analyst Jeff Pu, as reported by MacRumors, claims the device will be only 6mm thick, making it sleeker than the 7.8mm iPhone 16.
A fresh design like this could encourage consumers to upgrade for aesthetic and portability reasons rather than necessity. Over the past few years, Apple has focused on bringing Pro-exclusive features, like the Dynamic Island and Action Button, to its standard models to make them more enticing. However, the iPhone 17 Slim would mark the first major redesign of a non-Pro iPhone since the launch of the Plus model in 2022.
If successful, this slimmer design could position Apple’s iPhone 17 Slim as an alternative to foldables, offering an ultra-thin and stylish device without the durability concerns associated with folding screens. However, The Information warns that it may be priced higher than even the Pro Max models, potentially making it an expensive alternative.
The iPhone SE is also expected to undergo a major transformation in 2025. Reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg, and Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will feature an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, an Action Button, a 48-megapixel camera, and Apple Intelligence support. This would be a major departure from its predecessor, which retained the design of the iPhone 8 and used the same chip as the iPhone 13.
These updates could make the iPhone SE a much more competitive budget option, especially against Android alternatives like the Google Pixel 8A, which have outperformed the current SE in terms of display, design, and camera technology.
Another key development is Apple’s rumored in-house modem, which may debut in the iPhone SE 4. Apple has been working to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for cellular modems, and Bloomberg reports that the SE 4 will be the first device to feature Apple’s proprietary modem before it expands to higher-end models. Although Apple’s modem may initially lack some capabilities, such as millimeter-wave 5G support, it marks a strategic step toward greater control over hardware and software integration.
Apple Intelligence, introduced in 2024, has so far included features like object removal in photos, text rewriting, and Siri enhancements such as ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence via the camera.
Apple’s AI strategy will likely become clearer in 2025. Apple Intelligence, introduced in 2024, has so far included features like object removal in photos, text rewriting, and Siri enhancements such as ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence via the camera. However, these additions have not dramatically transformed the iPhone experience.
Next year, Apple is expected to take things further, particularly with Siri. Future updates may enable Siri to incorporate personal context into responses, interact more seamlessly with apps, and analyze on-screen content to provide relevant assistance. Bloomberg has reported that Apple is working on enhancing Siri with more advanced language models, making it function more like Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
However, this major Siri overhaul isn’t expected until 2026. Apple appears to be prioritizing quality over speed, opting to refine its AI capabilities before launching them to the public. CEO Tim Cook compared Apple Intelligence to the introduction of multitouch technology, suggesting that the company sees AI as a long-term game-changer rather than just another feature.
Rumors about a foldable iPhone have circulated for years, but 2025 is unlikely to be the year it materializes. Bloomberg reports that Apple is working on foldable prototypes for both the iPhone and iPad but that a foldable iPhone isn’t expected before 2026 at the earliest.
While foldable smartphones have been seen as a way to reinvigorate a slowing market, their high cost has made them a niche product. Though the International Data Corporation forecasts a 10.5% increase in foldable phone shipments for 2024, growth is slowing as manufacturers shift focus toward generative AI.
Apple’s reluctance to enter the foldable market suggests it is waiting for a compelling reason to justify such a shift. Given Apple’s history of refining existing technologies rather than rushing to adopt trends, it’s likely that the company will only launch a foldable iPhone if it can offer a unique and superior experience.
As with all Apple rumors, nothing is certain until official announcements are made. However, if these reports prove accurate, 2025 could be a pivotal year for the iPhone. With potential advancements in design, hardware, and AI, Apple may once again reshape the smartphone landscape.
Apple has long excelled at demonstrating the usefulness of emerging technologies rather than being the first to introduce them. Given this approach, expectations for Apple Intelligence—and possibly even a future foldable iPhone—remain high.
Video uploaded by Gregs Gadgets on February 7, 2025.
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