iPhone 17 could outsize the 16's display: What can you expect?

Apple might be giving the base iPhone 17 a serious upgrade. According to a fresh leak from tipster Digital Chat Station, the standard model could feature a 6.3-inch display the same size as the current iPhone 16 Pro. Shared on Weibo, the leak also hints at a smoother panel, suggesting Apple’s entry-level flagship might not feel so entry-level anymore.

Looks like Apple’s finally closing the gap between its standard and Pro models. Leaks around the iPhone 17 are stacking up, and the biggest talking point? A significant display upgrade.

Tip-offs suggest the base iPhone 17 could pack a 6.3-inch screen matching the current iPhone 16 Pro in size. That’s a noticeable jump and signals Apple might be done holding back on its non-Pro lineup.

Backing this claim is a now-pulled Amazon India listing for Spigen’s EZ Fit tempered glass. It briefly showed compatibility for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro all pointing to a uniform 6.3-inch display across the board.

But it’s not just about size anymore. The standard iPhone 17 is also tipped to finally upgrade to a 120Hz LTPO OLED panel, ditching the outdated 60Hz screen found on current non-Pro iPhones. If this plays out, it’ll be the first time the base iPhone gets a screen refresh rate that matches the Pro models making it a much more tempting buy for everyday users.

A smoother, more premium screen experience might finally be coming to the standard iPhone. The iPhone 17 is tipped to get a 120Hz refresh rate a long-overdue upgrade that would make everyday use feel snappier, from scrolling to animations. But as always with Apple, there’s a trade-off.

While the refresh rate may go up, premium features like Always-On Display and Apple’s adaptive refresh tech (which scales from 1Hz to 120Hz) are still expected to stay locked to the Pro models. Apple seems to be walking a fine line — giving the standard lineup a performance lift, without blurring the Pro vs non-Pro distinction.

There’s more. The iPhone 17 along with the rumored iPhone 17 Air could both get Samsung’s new M14 OLED panels. These are the same advanced displays currently used in the iPhone 16 Pro series, and they bring better brightness, efficiency, and lifespan. That’s great news for users who hold on to their phones for years.

Put it all together, and the iPhone 17 is shaping up to be one of the biggest overhauls to the standard model in a while. With Pro-level screen size, a much-needed refresh rate bump, and a future-ready OLED panel, it might just hit the sweet spot for those who want more than the basics, but aren’t ready to go full Pro.

We’re still a few months out from Apple’s usual September launch window, but if these leaks hold, 2025 could finally be the year the regular iPhone stops feeling like a compromise.