Mysterious iPhone 17 Slim could launch to compete with Galaxy S25+

Apple's current lineup of smartphones, the iPhone 15 series, has four devices, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Later this year, the company is expected to launch the iPhone 16 series, which is said to have four devices too and carry the same naming convention as the current models. As such, they could arrive as iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The lineup of phones that Apple will launch next year, the iPhone 17 series, is also expected to have four devices. However, one of those devices could have a different naming convention compared to the current ones if the latest leak is to be believed.

According to a new report from 9To5Google, Haitong International Securities’ Jeff Pu says that the iPhone 17 series will have four devices, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. As you can see, there will be no iPhone 17 Plus in the lineup as it is getting replaced by the iPhone 17 Slim. Going by the name, it looks like the iPhone 17 Slim will be the slimmest iPhone we have ever seen. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense for the tech giant to make such a big change to the naming convention.

iPhone 17 Slim will have a smaller display than iPhone 15 Plus, 16 Plus

In addition to that, Jeff Pu says that the iPhone 17 Slim will have a 6.6-inch display. That means the display of the iPhone 17 Slim will be smaller than that of the iPhone 15 Plus, which has a 6.7-inch screen, and the iPhone 16 Plus (it is expected to have a 6.7-inch screen as well). It’s surprising and disappointing to see Apple decrease the size of the smartphone’s display in a world where every other manufacturer is doing the opposite. At the moment, there's no information as to why the tech giant is taking this approach.

The iPhone 15 Plus is a direct competitor to the Galaxy S23+, and the iPhone 16 Plus is expected to go up against the Galaxy S24+. As such, the iPhone 17 Slim will be a rival to the Galaxy S25+. Looking at Samsung’s track record, it will offer the Galaxy S25+ with a display that will have the same size as that of the Galaxy S24+, which measures 6.7 inches, or a larger size. That means the display of the iPhone 17 Slim will be smaller than that of the Galaxy S25+. It would be interesting to see how they compete against each other.