Just when I thought I was finished, Apple pulls me back in. Since switching from Android to an iPhone Pro in 2021, I’ve stuck with Apple’s flagship devices. But year after year, iPhone updates have felt largely incremental, offering few genuine innovations to excite tech enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Google Pixel phones have made impressive strides, and the Pixel 9 Pro on my desk is tempting me to return to Android.

So far, I haven’t made the switch back—mainly because transferring my essential WhatsApp messages is tricky, and I’m still using some Apple services. Still, if Apple continues along its current path with future iPhone releases, I might seriously consider moving back to Android.

With that in mind, here are the upgrades I hope to see in the iPhone 17—features that would keep me happily exploring everything Cupertino’s ecosystem has to offer.

Enhanced Camera Colour and Contrast

Enjoy richer, more vibrant photos with improved camera colour and contrast. Our latest updates ensure your images capture true-to-life colours and sharper details, helping every shot stand out. Whether you're photographing landscapes or portraits, experience enhanced clarity and depth for stunning results every time.

While this issue isn't exclusive to iPhones, I've noticed that the last two generations of Apple smartphones tend to produce photos where shadows are brightened and highlights are toned down in scenes with both light and dark areas.

This approach reveals more detail, but it can make photos appear flat, lacking contrast and vibrancy. In the past, I've appreciated how Apple kept colours natural and accurately captured what I saw, but lately, the results seem less true to life.

I'm hoping future models, such as the iPhone 17, will allow for deeper shadows and more striking highlights, delivering bold colours that reflect the lighting conditions. Otherwise, I might find myself preferring the dynamic—if sometimes overly saturated—photos from other smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Experience a Genuine Gaming Performance Boost

The A17 Pro and A18 Pro chips deliver impressive gaming performance for smartphones. While iOS now features some genuine console-quality games such as Death Stranding and Sniper Elite 4, these titles still don’t always achieve the smooth, high frame rates that gamers expect—Sniper Elite 4, in particular, can be difficult to run smoothly.

Rather than focusing solely on percentage increases in processing and graphics power with upcoming chips like those in the iPhone 17 Pro, it would be good to see an emphasis on providing higher frame rates, aiming for a consistent 60 frames per second in demanding games.

It would also be exciting to see more Apple Arcade games that truly make the most of these Pro chips, though that might be a tall order. Overall, improving frame rates and game optimisation would make a real difference for mobile gamers.

An Enhanced Siri and Apple Intelligence Experience

When the iPhone 16 range launched, it was introduced as a handset featuring advanced AI capabilities. However, these AI-powered tools took a while to become available, and many of the features highlighted at launch have since faded from memory. A reminder of these capabilities would be helpful.

Looking ahead to the iPhone 17, I hope to see AI features more deeply integrated into both iOS and the devices themselves. I’d like Siri to be consistently intelligent and genuinely helpful when answering questions.

It would also be brilliant to have user-friendly features, such as being able to ask Siri to read web pages or digital magazines aloud in a natural way—without having to dig through accessibility settings or find workarounds for reading news articles. Improved voice assistant functionality like this would make everyday tasks much more seamless.

Cameras Designed to Sit Flush with the Body

Enjoy a sleek and seamless look with cameras that fit perfectly within your device’s body. This design not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also makes your device more comfortable to hold and carry. Say goodbye to bulky camera bumps and experience a smoother, more streamlined profile for your smartphone or tablet.

There’s increasing excitement surrounding the potential iPhone 17 Air, which seems to be a credible rumour. This new model may feature a slimmer design and cameras that are flush with the back of the phone, much like the expected Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

I’d love to see this sleek, streamlined aesthetic across the entire iPhone 17 range, particularly on the Pro models.

While I still appreciate the design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the large square camera panel on the back is beginning to feel a bit dated. A more compact camera system that sits seamlessly within the phone’s glass back would be a welcome improvement and signal a refreshing step forward in flagship smartphone design.

Something Truly Surprising

The Action Button is decent, but the Camera Control feels underwhelming. These features, introduced with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, aren’t exactly groundbreaking. In fact, Camera Control sometimes disrupts my day-to-day iPhone experience.

What I’m really after is a feature that genuinely grabs my attention. Imagine if the iPhone 17 Pro came with a dedicated video editing app, making it effortless to capture and create content for platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Or picture a modular system that lets users add camera lens accessories, or a simple way to connect an iPhone 17 to a monitor—much like a desktop experience—for greater productivity when a MacBook isn’t to hand.

I just want to be surprised by an iPhone again—something that hasn’t happened in years. Here’s hoping for an exciting update.