APPLE'S next new handset is rumoured to have even more processing power than the iPhone 16 launching in a few weeks, according to a veteran tipster.
It may also have nifty battery protection feature using new "cooling technology" not seen in other models.
While Apple has only just announced the date of its iPhone 16 launch event, consumers already have their eyes pinned to what 2025 will bring.
A new leak from tipster Ming-Chi Kuo on social media platform X says the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature 12GB of RAM.
That is the most in any iPhone to date, and blows the current maximum of 8GB of RAM out of the water.
RAM - which stands for random-access memory - significantly speeds up electronic devices.
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Apple is thought to be upping its RAM storage to run the full breadth of its new Apple Intelligence features.
It will also help support more high-performance applications in future, like ones that rely heavily on advanced artificial intelligence (AI).
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is also rumoured to boast upgraded cooling technology, combining Vapor Chamber technology with a graphite sheet.
While Samsung Galaxy devices have been using the Vapor Chamber cooling technology for years, it will be a first for Apple.
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It means next year's iPhone will be able to better handle all the Apple Intelligence features coming in the future.
These new AI-powered features, such as a super-smart Siri, will require a lot of processing power which can generate a fair bit of heat.
To prevent iPhones from overheating all the time - and killing the battery in the process - Apple looks set to invest in some new cooling technology.
However, other models in the iPhone 17 lineup are slated to continue using graphite sheets for thermal management, and only have 8GB of RAM.
Alongside the iPhone 17 Pro Max - the biggest and most expensive handset in the lineup, Apple is also expected to release an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro and an iPhone SE 4.
iPhone SE 4
In February last year, Ming-Chi, an analyst at TF International Securities, claimed that Apple had restarted the iPhone SE 4 project as an economic downturn was squashing the consumer desire the buy new electronics.
Apple introduced an iPhone SE 3 into its iPhone 14 line up in 2022.
It is typically the cheapest device in each series.
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The iPhone SE 3 ranged between $429/£449 and $579/£609. While the iPhone SE 2 ranged from $399/£419 and $549/£569.
This is far more affordable than the iPhone 14 Pro, which retailed at £1,099.
iPhone: Big vs Small
How iPhone sizes have changed over the years...
- iPhone (2007) – 3.5 inches
- iPhone 3G (2008) – 3.5 inches
- iPhone 3GS (2009) – 3.5 inches
- iPhone 4 (2010) – 3.5 inches
- iPhone 4S (2011) – 3.5 inches
- iPhone 5 (2012) – 4 inches
- iPhone 5S (2013) – 4 inches
- iPhone 5C (2013) – 4 inches
- iPhone 6 (2014) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 6+ (2014) – 5.5 inches
- iPhone 6S (2015) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 6S+ (2015) – 5.5 inches
- iPhone SE (2016) – 4 inches
- iPhone 7 (2016) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 7+ (2016) – 5.5 inches
- iPhone 8 (2017) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 8+ (2017) – 5.5 inches
- iPhone X (2017) – 5.8 inches
- iPhone XS (2018) – 5.8 inches
- iPhone XR (2018) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone XS Max (2018) – 6.5 inches
- iPhone 11 (2019) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 11 Pro (2019) – 5.8 inches
- iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019) – 6.5 inches
- iPhone SE 2nd gen (2020) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 12 Mini (2020) – 5.4 inches
- iPhone 12 (2020) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 12 Pro (2020) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) – 6.7 inches
- iPhone 13 Mini (2021) – 5.4 inches
- iPhone 13 (2021) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 13 Pro (2021) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) – 6.7 inches
- iPhone SE 3rd gen (2022) – 4.7 inches
- iPhone 14 (2022) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 14 Plus (2022) – 6.7 inches
- iPhone 14 Pro (2022) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022) – 6.7 inches
- iPhone 15 (2023) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 15 Plus (2023) – 6.7 inches
- iPhone 15 Pro (2023) – 6.1 inches
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) – 6.7 inches