iPhone 17 Ultra: Rumors Point to Apple’s Most Advanced iPhone Yet
iPhone 17 Ultra: Rumors Point to Apple’s Most Advanced iPhone Yet. If you’ve been following iPhone rumors over the past few years, you might remember reports suggesting that Apple considered introducing a super high-end “Ultra” model, which would either replace the Pro Max or be positioned above it in Apple’s smartphone hierarchy. These reports surfaced during the pre-launch rumor cycles of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 but ultimately led to nothing. Now, however, the rumor is back.
iPhone 17 Ultra: Rumors Point to Apple’s Most Advanced iPhone Yet
Citing sources from Weibo, Taiwan, “US investment report content,” and supply chain trends, the Korean news aggregator account “yeux1122” on the Naver blog has summarized “rumors regarding Apple’s iPhone 17 Ultra name change.”
Rumored Changes in the iPhone 17 Series
The blog highlights the following rumored changes attributed to various models in the upcoming iPhone 17 series:
- Smaller Dynamic Island
- Vapor chamber cooling system
- Larger battery
Analyst Jeff Pu stated in October that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature a narrower Dynamic Island, but this claim has since been disputed by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Nevertheless, the Naver blog claims that based on component orders for a smaller Dynamic Island, the supply volume is “insufficient” to cover both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, implying that only the larger “Ultra” device will feature this change.
The blog also asserts that only the “Ultra” model will include a vapor chamber cooling system, despite competing rumors suggesting that it may be implemented in both Pro models or even across the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
Finally, the blog claims that the “Ultra” model will be thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro due to a larger battery. This is the only rumor exclusively linked to the iPhone 17 Pro Max so far.
Possible Changes to Technical Specifications
Had the blog been more exhaustive, it could have also mentioned the 12GB of RAM, which Kuo predicted in August would come to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, Pu has pushed back on this claim, suggesting that both Pro models will receive 12GB RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
Additionally, the blog does not reference Kuo’s earlier prediction that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the first iPhone to feature three 48MP cameras. However, this claim has since been challenged by a Chinese leaker.
New Naming Structure for the iPhone 17 Series
Due to the rumored changes for Apple’s largest and most premium model, the blog suggests that the iPhone 17 lineup will consist of the following models:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Ultra
This differentiation strategy could help Apple justify a higher price point for an “Ultra” iPhone model with more advanced features. Apple has already established a naming convention where “Air,” “Pro,” and “Ultra” represent distinct product tiers. For example, the MacBook Air and iPad Air are lightweight, consumer-friendly options, while Pro models cater to professionals seeking enhanced performance.
The “Ultra” designation has been introduced in Apple’s product lineup, as seen in the Apple Watch Ultra, which offers advanced capabilities, and the M3 Ultra chip, Apple’s most powerful silicon to date.
Whether Apple will adopt the “Ultra” name for its most premium iPhone 17 model remains to be seen. However, we do know that Apple has internally discussed this possibility for previous generations. Until more reliable sources corroborate the rumor, we’ll have to wait and see when the iPhone 17 lineup is unveiled, likely around Apple’s usual mid-September launch timeframe.