iPhone 17 Slim to Feature Reduced Screen Size Compared to iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 Plus

A few hours ago, a tantalizing rumor surfaced in the tech world: Apple’s next flagship phone, the successor to the iPhone 16 Plus, might not be called the iPhone 17 Plus after all. Instead, it’s rumored to be the iPhone 17 Slim. The name alone raises eyebrows, but when you consider the details, it starts to make sense.

The iPhone 17 Slim is expected to be the thinnest member of the iPhone 17 family. But what really caught our attention is its screen size. According to Ross Young, a reliable source from Display Supply Chain Consultants, the iPhone 17 Slim will feature a precisely measured 6.55-inch diagonal display1. That’s slightly smaller than the iPhone 15 Plus’s 6.7-inch screen and even tinier than the upcoming iPhone 16 Plus.

Apple seems to be playing a strategic game with screen sizes. The Pro Max variant of the iPhone 17 is set to grow to a whopping 6.9 inches, catering to those who crave the biggest-screened iPhone. But what about the Plus model? If the rumors hold true, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will also sport a 6.9-inch display, leaving the iPhone 17 Slim as the smaller alternative.

Beyond screen size, the iPhone 17 series promises some design shifts. The Pro Max will continue its tradition of a titanium frame, while the other models—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Slim—will adopt a “more complex” aluminum design2. Interestingly, this could be a downgrade for the Pro model, which currently boasts a titanium build. But fear not; the Dynamic Island—the area housing the front camera and Face ID sensor—will remain consistent across all models except the Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Slim’s reduced screen size might be due to a new “metalens” technology. This innovation could shrink the Face ID sensor, allowing for a more compact design without compromising functionality3. It’s a clever move by Apple, ensuring that even the Slim version delivers a premium experience.

Under the hood, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Slim are expected to pack 8GB of RAM, powered by either the A18 or A19 chipset. Meanwhile, the Pro models—iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max—will step up to 12GB of RAM and the A19 Pro chipset2. These upgrades promise smoother performance and better multitasking capabilities.