According to leaks, Apple will replace this year’s iPhone 17 Plus with a super-thin iPhone 17 Air that seeks to revive interest in the lineup. However, a new report suggests that this won’t be the only major change Apple’s smartphone series will receive this year. The Cupertino-based giant could also add a fourth model: the iPhone 17 Ultra.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about an iPhone Ultra. In previous years, some sources suggested that Apple was considering releasing an even more premium—and expensive—device than the iPhone Pro Max. However, this ultimately never happened, and the “Pro Max” remained the top-of-the-line model in the iPhone 15 and 16 series. That said, it’s possible the firm will finally make the leap this year.
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra with exclusive improvements
As reported on Naver, the iPhone 17 Ultra is a real possibility and could include some key improvements compared to the Pro and Pro Max variants. South Korean sources claim the device will feature a smaller Dynamic Island. There have been conflicting reports regarding the possible thinner Dynamic Island in the iPhone 17 series. Analyst Jeff Kuo had said the iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature it, but Ming-Chi Kuo, another reputable analyst, refuted this.
Now, the latest leak says the supply volume of the smaller Dynamic Island is “insufficient” to meet potential demand for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Therefore, Apple could only integrate it in the iPhone 17 Ultra.
Another potentially exclusive improvement for the device could be a vapor chamber cooling system. Other recent rumors claim the component will also be featured in the Pro and Pro Max models of the iPhone 17 lineup, though.
Finally, rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Ultra will boast a larger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This Ultra device will have an even larger screen, so it could require a higher-capacity cell to maintain good battery life. There is no mention of a potential improvement in charging speed.
For now, this is all we know about the alleged iPhone 17 Ultra. Hopefully, more news will emerge in the coming weeks. If even the iPhone 17 Pro Max wasn’t enough for you, this alleged ultra-premium handset could be what you’re looking for.
