iPhone 17 series leak: 8x zoom cameras, 8K recording, vapor chamber cooling, A19 Pro chip, bigger batteries, and new colours
A South Korean carrier’s comparison document between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series has leaked online, revealing several new details ahead of Apple’s expected September launch. The leak was first posted by Korean analyst Jukan (@Jukanlosreve) on X (formerly Twitter). Vadim Yuryev (@ilyayuryev), who also runs the famous YouTube channel Max Tech, later highlighted and translated the document, drawing attention to the changes across the lineup.
The biggest highlight is that both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will feature triple 48 MP rear cameras, including a new 8x optical telephoto lens with support for 8K video recording. This marks the first time Apple equips both Pro models with the same advanced telephoto system.
However, replies to Yuryev’s post suggest the possibility that the 8x figure may involve sensor cropping. X user Keyboard Enthusiast (@keyboardenthusiast) commented that “8x may be sensor cropping also,” while another user, Maciej Murawski (@maciejmurawski), added that Apple may be marketing intermediate focal lengths (such as 2x or 8x crops) as “optical.” Yuryev himself noted that a 10x figure would make more sense for sensor cropping, leaving the implementation open to interpretation until Apple provides official details
Design changes include a new aluminium unibody chassis for the Pro models, coupled with a vapor chamber cooling system intended to improve sustained performance. Standard iPhone 17 models, including the new iPhone 17 Air, will not receive this cooling upgrade but are listed with high-density batteries.
In terms of processors, the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will use the A19 chip with 8 GB of RAM, while the Pro models move to the A19 Pro with 12 GB of RAM. Battery capacities are also detailed, with the Pro Max seeing a notable jump compared to its predecessor:
- iPhone 17: 3,600 mAh (+1%)
- iPhone 17 Air: 2,800 mAh
- iPhone 17 Pro: 3,700 mAh
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5,000 mAh (up from 4,676 mAh on the 16 Pro Max)
All four models are expected to include a 24 MP selfie camera. Display sizes remain unchanged for the Pro models at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, while the iPhone 17 Air will use a larger 6.6-inch screen. The leaked document also mentions new colour options, with the iPhone 17 Air likely to come in light gold and light blue (sky blue), while the Pro models are likely to launch in navy blue and orange.
Pricing in South Korea likewise appears only slightly higher than last year, with the iPhone 17 at $799, the iPhone 17 Air at $899, the iPhone 17 Pro starting at $999 for 128 GB, and the Pro Max at $1,250. Do note that much of the information in the leaked brochure, including the new camera capabilities of the Pro models and the battery size of the 17 Pro Max, is not clearly visible and hence not humanly readable. The information in the article is majorly reliant on the analysis of Vadim Yuryev.
If accurate, the leak suggests that Apple is focusing on camera upgrades and thermal design improvements for the iPhone 17 Pro lineup while keeping pricing relatively stable.
