Recent leaks suggest that Apple is planning a major product lineup change for its 2025 iPhone 17 series. The biggest highlight of this shift is the possible renaming of the iPhone 17 Pro Max to iPhone 17 Ultra, making it the top-tier flagship model of the series. With this change, Apple aims to strengthen its hold on the high-end market by offering a well-differentiated lineup, which will reportedly include four models:
iPhone 17 (Standard version)
iPhone 17 Air (Slim & lightweight version)
iPhone 17 Pro (Performance-focused version)
iPhone 17 Ultra (Ultimate flagship version)
According to popular tipster Ice Universe, the iPhone 17 Ultra will feature a thicker body at 8.725mm, compared to the 8.25mm thickness of iPhone 16 Pro Max. This increase in thickness is primarily to accommodate a larger battery and an advanced cooling system, ensuring better battery life and enhanced performance.
Interestingly, this goes against the trend of Apple introducing thinner devices, such as the rumored iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be just 5.5mm thick. However, Apple’s strategy seems to be offering two extreme options—one focused on ultra-thin design and the other on long battery life and performance, similar to how Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 10 cater to different user needs.
Hardware Upgrades: Smaller Dynamic Island & Better Camera Tech
Beyond design, the iPhone 17 Ultra is expected to feature:
✔ Smaller Dynamic Island, reducing the screen cutout size
✔ Upgraded camera system with metal lens technology, improving image quality and durability
✔ A19 Pro chip (built on TSMC’s 3nm process) for top-tier performance
✔ 12GB RAM, making it the highest ever in an iPhone
✔ Metal superstructure lens technology, allowing a more compact Face ID module
Why This Name Change Matters?
Apple’s decision to introduce the Ultra branding is not just about renaming a product—it’s a strategic move to increase the average selling price (ASP) and further dominate the premium smartphone segment.
By positioning iPhone 17 Ultra as the ultimate choice for power users, while simultaneously offering iPhone 17 Air for those preferring lightweight devices, Apple is ensuring that its product lineup appeals to a wider audience with diverse needs and budgets.
If these leaks turn out to be true, the iPhone 17 series could be Apple’s biggest product shake-up in years, redefining the flagship smartphone competition.
Hasnain Hasan is the founder and lead writer behind this platform. With over 5 years of hands-on experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down the latest trends, tools, and technologies into easy-to-understand content. A part from writing, Hasnain is actively creating and sharing tech-related content on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), where he connects with a growing audience of tech enthusiasts and learner