A recent report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says there could be a shift in Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. Kuo suggests that Apple may have delayed plans for a rumored “iPhone 17 Slim”.
This phone was previously speculated to feature a thinner design achieved through a new component, resin-coated copper (RCC). This came after Apple’s slimmer watch was postponed.
Concerns about the durability and fragility of RCC are cited as the reason for the delay. Previously, the introduction of RCC was expected in the iPhone 16 series before being pushed back to the 2025 iPhone 17.
Kuo’s report does not provide any timeline for the potential future use of RCC, leaving the possibility of ultra-thin iPhones uncertain. This iPhone 18 will be slimmer in 2026, and in 2027, Apple is preparing to introduce a foldable iPhone.
However, the report suggests the upcoming iPhone 16 launch remains on track. The iPhone 16 series may feature the thinnest bezels on a smartphone. Leaks also point towards the use of Samsung’s advanced M14 OLED display panels, which means the screen could be of a higher quality than seen in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Additionally, rumors suggest 40W fast-charging speed improvements, particularly for wired charging on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models.