Leaked information shows that the highest-end iPhone 17 will have a mechanical aperture for taking photos and a single-lens camera design.
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model with a mechanical aperture next year, according to a report published by The Information, according to MacRumors.
The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which is the opening in the camera lens that lets light in. Current iPhones' camera lenses all have fixed apertures, but some Android smartphones have offered variable apertures over the years, such as Samsung 's Galaxy S9 series .
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and it's likely that the mechanical aperture will be limited to the top-end iPhone model, which is expected to be called the "iPhone 17 Ultra" (currently called the "iPhone 17 Slim"). However, since these iPhone models are still more than a year away, Apple's camera-related development plans are likely to change.
The mechanical aperture could be just one of the unique features reserved for the top-end iPhone 17 model, also known as the iPhone 17 Slim according to the leaked rumors so far.
As the name suggests, many reports suggest that the iPhone 17 series will include a completely new model with a super-thin, beautiful design.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Slim will focus more on form than function. The iPhone 17 Slim will reportedly feature a 6.6-inch display powered by an A19 chip, which is a step down from the A19 Pro chip that is said to power the iPhone Pro models.
The frame of this model will be crafted from a titanium-aluminum alloy. However, it will contain a lower percentage of titanium than the frames of the current Pro and Pro Max models.
The most surprising detail from the latest information is that the iPhone 17 Slim will only be equipped with a single wide-angle camera on the back, according to Android Authority.
You are not mistaken when reading this information. The iPhone 17 Slim is rumored to have only one rear camera, like the cheap iPhone SE models.
To put that in perspective, the last non-SE iPhone to feature a single camera was the iPhone XR, which came out six years ago. Since then, we’ve gotten used to flagship iPhones having at least a main camera and an ultra-wide camera, with the Pro models adding a telephoto lens for good measure. The last time Samsung and Google went the single-camera route was in 2018 with the Galaxy S9 and Pixel 3.
So where exactly will the iPhone 17 Slim fit into the 2025 iPhone lineup? With a focus on design over specs, it certainly won’t be the Ultra version that we’ve been waiting for. Apple is more likely targeting fashion-forward consumers who want a stylish phone without really caring about the technical details.
Will the iPhone 17 Slim's sleek design be enough to win over fans despite the slimmed-down camera and specs? The iPhone 17 series is due out late next year, so it's possible that not all of the current leaks will come true.
Meanwhile, expert Ming-Chi Kuo commented that the iPhone 17 series may say goodbye to the Plus variant, signaling a bigger change in Apple's smartphone strategy.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's 2026 iPhone models will be equipped with a new 48MP 1/2.6-inch ultra-wide CMOS image sensor (CIS) manufactured by Samsung . This will break Sony's multi-year monopoly as Apple's CIS supplier, according to MacRumors.
Writing in a short report posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo said Samsung has set up a dedicated team within the company to research camera components with the specific aim of supplying them to Apple.
For many years, Apple has exclusively used CIS for its iPhones from supplier Sony. However, recent developments suggest that Apple is planning to change its camera sensor supplier due to reliability concerns and the need to integrate new technology into Apple's camera system.
If the 2026 production roadmap goes as planned, Apple could use Samsung-made image sensors in the camera system on the iPhone 18 series. However, Ming-Chi Kuo did not reveal information about the main and telephoto cameras, which suggests that Sony will likely continue to produce these sensors and there is no reason for Apple to change this.