iPhone 17 wishlist: 7 features to wish upon a star and actually see

We're less than two weeks away from the September 9 big unveiling of the iPhone 17.

Apple has some atonement to make, so everybody is curious what the new flagships will look like – and here's what I hope for the "vanilla" iPhone 17.

Expectations are running high after a series of incremental updates in previous models, leaving fans eager for a truly standout device. From design tweaks to performance boosts, every detail will be scrutinized by tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Finally, 120 Hz ProMotion!

For years, Apple's ProMotion display technology has been limited to the higher-end iPhone Pro models, but that may finally change with the iPhone 17. Multiple reports now point to every model in the lineup adopting a 120 Hz refresh rate, bringing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations to the base iPhones for the first time.

Along with it, Always-On display support is expected to make its way beyond the Pro line, adding another feature that was previously exclusive. If these reports hold true, the iPhone 17 will mark a major step toward leveling the playing field between Apple's standard and premium models.

A better selfie camera

The iPhone 17 is expected to bring a long-awaited upgrade to its front-facing camera with a new 24 MP sensor. This marks the first meaningful improvement to the selfie camera since the iPhone 11 back in 2019. The higher resolution should deliver sharper detail, making everyday shots look noticeably clearer.

It also means images will hold up better when zoomed in or cropped, giving users more flexibility when editing after the fact. For a phone that puts so much emphasis on social sharing and video calls, this change could make a real difference in daily use. Meanwhile, rivals offer 50 MP selfie snappers, but Apple will get there too in the future. Eventually.

An AI promise that is kept

I expect Apple to be really careful with the AI promises and unveilings on September 9. Last year, bold predictions were made at the iPhone 16 event, which later turned into a farce: Apple couldn't deliver.

AI is too hot of a topic to be ignored by Apple. The company is lagging behind virtually all rivals on AI, but even Apple can't afford to not talk about the two-letter acronym phenomenon. Just be sure to keep your promises, Apple – regardless of what you say.

A price hike that's not over $50

Recent rumors have it that all iPhone 17 models will be $50 more expensive than the iPhone 16 family. For the baseline variant, here's what this prospect looks like:

• iPhone 17: $849* (expected)
• iPhone 16: $799

Yes, there are several real upgrades on the new phone compared to the iPhone 16, but let's not get carried away: Cupertino handsets are expensive as it is. The online community often jokes how Apple is a cult (or is it a joke after all?), but I think even hardcore Cupertino fans will have second thoughts about paying more than $849 for a non-Pro phone.

Make the Camera Control button great again

OK, the Camera Control button was never "great" per se. But it could be.

Introduced on the iPhone 16 lineup, this physical button on the right side of the iPhone is all about elevating your camera experience. Those coming from a dedicated camera can appreciate Apple's efforts, as it gives you an easier, faster and more tactile way to capture photos and videos.

The button has a great potential, but on the iPhone 16 series, it was weirdly positioned too much to the center of the frame – instead, it should be near the right lower corner.

Let's hope that Apple will sort things out this time around.

The new A19 chip instead of the A18

Rather than reusing the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 lineup, the base iPhone 17may ship with the newer A19 processor. That would put it on equal footing with the iPhone 17 Air, while the Pro models are rumored to step up further with an A19 Pro variant.

The catch is that memory upgrades won't be spread evenly: the standard iPhone 17 may remain at 8 GB of RAM, while the Air and Pro versions are said to get 12 GB for the first time, a change aimed at supporting heavier multitasking and Apple Intelligence features. While Apple has occasionally recycled older chips in past models, such as the iPhone 14 reusing the A15, those decisions have never been entirely consistent. This time, giving the whole iPhone 17 family the newest chip seems like the more natural direction for Apple to take.

A larger battery

Of the whole list, this is the wildest one: but do wish (since it's a wishlist) for a larger battery. We all know that Apple is able to squeeze some pretty impressive battery life out of not-so-respectable mAh numbers, but a boost in the capacity is something no one will scoff at.

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