Less than a month after Apple launched its iPhone 16 series, rumors are afloat about the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup launch that is likely to include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air/Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone Air is speculated to be launched as the iPhone 17 Slim because of its slim profile.
New Touch and Display Driver Integration OLED Display in iPhone 17 Air
The most recent leak about the iPhone Air mentions that the smartphone will incorporate a new kind of OLED display with touch and display driver integration technology. According to the Digitimes report, these OLED displays will be manufactured by Novatek, a semiconductor brand based out of Taiwan. The manufacturer is expected to commence the mass production of these displays in the second quarter of the next year.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air/Slim Likely to Have Displays with 120 Hz Refresh Rate
The OLED panel will blend the display driver and touch sensor of the display into a common unit. This is expected to help in not only bringing out a slim or thin design but also enhancing the functionality of the display.
High Refresh Rate
One of the past reports about the iPhone 17 lineup mentioned that the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Slim displays will offer a refresh rate of 120 Hz with ProMotion Technology. It is only safe to assume that a new display will be needed to support the high refresh rate that is double the 60 Hz refresh rate of the present series.
Rumored iPhone 17 Series Details
There will be no iPhone 17 Plus in the lineup and the iPhone 17 Air or Slim is slated to take its place. The top-end model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may incorporate an advanced cooling system with vapor chamber technology and graphite sheets for enhanced heat dissipation.
The new series may not offer support for the Face ID technology incorporated under the display, unlike its predecessors. The base iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will be available with 8 GB RAM. The higher-end iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will house 12 GB RAM.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Get Improved Telephoto Lens; AirPods 4 To Have New Design
Neither Apple nor Novatek has made any official statement about the inclusion of the TDDI OLED display in the iPhone 17 Air. Hence, it is advisable to consider this information with a bit of caution. Having said this, the speculated launch of the smartphone in Fall 2025 and the production timeline of the panels coincide with each other hinting that this may indeed be the case.
David Rogers is a dedicated contributor whose writing centers entirely on smartphones. He provides timely coverage of all major smartphone and tablet news, leaks, and updates. You can find all his posts here.