The iPhone 17 is already on the horizon, and like every year, rumors are starting to outline what we might expect from Apple’s next big release. But beyond the leaks and predictions, there’s also that other realm: what we’d like to see, even if it’s unlikely.
Every year Apple releases a new iPhone, many of us feel disappointed by the lack of innovation they boast, even though they’re not exactly cheap. And if Apple is going to continue charging premium prices, which could be higher than expected due to Trump’s tariffs, it should also offer features that truly surprise us.
What do we expect and want from the iPhone 17?
Since asking is free, this is what we’d like to see in the brand’s next iPhone, at least the Pro models.
The return of Touch ID… but under the screen
It’s time for Apple to bring back Touch ID, but not like before. The ideal implementation would be an under-display fingerprint sensor, as many Android models have offered for years. While Face ID works well, there are situations where facial recognition fails: when wearing masks, in the dark, or when you simply don’t want to look at your phone.
An under-screen reader would be convenient, discreet, and technologically feasible. Will we see it in 2025? It would be a pleasant surprise.
A truly fast charge: minimum 50W
While other manufacturers have been pushing 50W (or even 100W) for years, Apple sticks to modest numbers. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, for example, charges at a maximum of 27W. Hopefully, the iPhone 17 could take a significant leap forward and offer us fast charging at 50W or higher.
Imagine charging a 100% battery in less than 30 minutes . Not only is it possible, it’s what we should already have on a phone costing over a thousand euros.
50x optical zoom (asked for availability)
We know Apple plans to improve the iPhone 17 Pro’s cameras with four rear sensors and possibly a variable aperture, as already used by the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or the Huawei Mate 60 Pro. This technology adjusts the amount of light entering the camera depending on the scene, which gives more versatility… but it can also affect low-light performance.
If Apple wants to go a step further, the ideal scenario would be to integrate a true optical zoom of up to 50x . It sounds exaggerated, but not impossible: it would be a big step up from the 5x zoom of the current Pro Max.
An artificial intelligence that really works
With the emergence of AI on all fronts , we can no longer have a Siri that barely understands basic commands waiting for an Apple Intelligence update.
Hopefully, the iPhone 17 will feature powerful conversational AI, integrated with system functions and not entirely dependent on an internet connection. We want AI that understands us, that helps us write, summarize, edit photos, organize our schedules, and that does it well, not at the level of what Apple is giving us .
Beautiful design… or at least less controversial
The latest leaks have revealed some iPhone 17 mockups with somewhat unusual designs: straighter edges, even larger cameras, and a monochrome finish that has divided opinions. On Reddit, some have outright called it “an eyesore,” and while the final models will likely look more polished, it’s clear that the design will be a contentious issue.
