Simply once I thought I used to be out, Apple pulls me again in… on this case I’m speaking particularly about how I’ve caught with utilizing an iPhone Professional mannequin since making the swap from Android again in 2021.
However annually since then the iPhone updates have been basically iterative, with little or no in the best way of upgrades to tingle my tech synapse. In the meantime, the Google Pixel telephones have advanced quite properly, and the Pixel 9 Professional on my desk is sitting there siren-like, calling me again to Android.
It hasn’t fairly succeeded, primarily because of the annoyance of attempting to work out the right way to neatly switch the WhatsApp messages I wish to maintain, and a few Apple providers that I’m nonetheless signed up for. But when Apple retains going the best way it has with its subsequent technology of iPhones, then I actually might see myself switching again to Android.
With that in thoughts, listed below are the upgrades I’d prefer to see arrive with the iPhone 17, and which might maintain me whiling away the hours and conferring with the flowers in Cupertino’s walled backyard.
Improved digital camera coloration and distinction
(Picture credit score: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
Whereas this is not an issue that is unique to iPhones, I really feel that the previous two generations of Apple smartphones have produced pictures wherein the shadows are lifted and the highlights lowered in scenes which have each gentle and darkish components.
This picks out extra particulars in a shot, however it additionally has the impact of creating a photograph look flat by way of distinction and vibrancy. I’ve typically praised Apple for protecting colours pure and being good at capturing what my eyes are seeing, however it seems to have misplaced its contact a bit of.
So I’m actually eager for Apple to return a step with the iPhone 17 and let its picture processing enable for deep, darkish shadows and punchy flares of sunshine, all with colours that may look a tad boosted given the lighting state of affairs. In any other case, I can see myself being drawn in direction of the dynamic, if oversaturated, pictures of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.
(Picture credit score: Alex Walker-Todd / Dashiell Wooden / Future)
The A17 Professional and A18 Professional chips each promise critical gaming energy for a smartphone. And so they ship… however solely up to now.
Whereas iOS now has entry to some true console-quality video games like Loss of life Stranding and Sniper Elite 4, they nonetheless don’t run on the most fascinating body charges; I notably struggled with the latter recreation.
So quite than tout proportion boosts in processing and graphics energy with no matter chip comes within the iPhone 17 Professional, I’d like Apple to speak will increase in framerates, aiming for a easy 60 frames per second within the aforementioned video games.
I’d additionally prefer to see some Apple Arcade video games that faucet into the ability of those Professional chips, though that may very well be asking for lots.
A correct Siri and Apple Intelligence expertise
(Picture credit score: Apple)
When the iPhone 16 household arrived, it was championed as a cellphone with Apple Intelligence.
However that wasn’t actually the case, and we’ve needed to wait a while for AI-powered instruments to return to the brand new telephones; a lot in order that I’ve forgotten a whole lot of the options Apple showcased on the launch occasion, and I most likely want Apple to speak me by them once more.
So with the iPhone 17, I need Apple Intelligence higher baked into iOS and the telephones themselves, and Siri to be constantly sensible and helpful in dealing with my queries.
I additionally need helpful options like with the ability to ask Siri to learn net pages, digital magazines and so forth, in a pure trend and to take action intelligently, while not having me to dig into accessibility settings or try to discover a workaround to coax it into studying newspapers in Apple Information+.
Cameras flush with the physique
(Picture credit score: Karen Freeman / Future)
I do know there’s chatter of an iPhone 17 Air, which seems to be considerably legit, and that cellphone might slim down the present iPhone design and have cameras flush with the cellphone’s physique, very like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
However that is a design characteristic I wish to see for the entire iPhone 17 household, particularly the Professional fashions.
I nonetheless like the general design of the iPhone 16 Professional Max, however the sq. panel housing its trio of rear cameras is beginning to really feel a bit of lengthy within the tooth. So discovering a solution to make them extra compact to slot in flush with the cellphone’s glass rear could be an improve I might respect. Plus, it will mark a notable evolution in flagship iPhone design.
One thing really shocking
(Picture credit score: Justin Sullivan/Getty Photos)
The Motion Button is okay. Digital camera Management is an entire button of meh. These are two options Apple launched with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 respectively, and so they’re hardly mind-blowing upgrades. The truth is, I’d argue that the Digital camera Management virtually will get in the best way of my private iPhone expertise.
What I actually need is a characteristic that really makes me sit up and concentrate. I’m unsure what that may very well be, however it may very well be so simple as having a devoted video modifying app for the iPhone 17 Professional that lets one simply seize and create movies for YouTube, TikTok, and so forth.
Or it may very well be a modular system that permits for digital camera lens equipment to be added. Or a easy solution to join an iPhone 17 to a monitor in a Samsung DeX-like trend to behave as a pseudo desktop when one would not have a MacBook helpful.
I simply wish to be shocked by an iPhone for as soon as, as that’s one thing that hasn’t occurred in years. So fingers crossed.
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