
Apple fan ‘spots iPhone 17 Pro' out in the wild weeks before official launch as top ‘insider' admits ‘this looks legit'
X user @Skyfops sparked a flurry of online excitement after posting two blurry photos to the social media site of "Apple staff and security" with the new model.
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The person in the post is holding what appears to be an iPhone 16 Pro with a sticker on the back of it
Credit: @SKYFOPS
To accompany the post, the user wrote: " I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild."
While The Sun has been unable to verify the claims or images, a top "insider" admitted: "This looks legit."
In one of the photos, a person wearing reflective sunglasses can be seen holding what appears to be an iPhone inside of a thick black protective case.
There is speculation this might be intended to disguise the design of the
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The person is also holding what appears to be an
This could be hiding a data matrix code that allows Apple to track internal iPhones used by employees for development purposes, reports MacRumors.
Sun's tech editor shows NEW 4mm thin folding Samsung – & teases 'flip iPhone' too
The X user who posted the images defended their decision to photograph what they claim to be the iPhone 17 Pro,
They stated: "It was taken in the public where there's no reasonable expectation for privacy.
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"They were super obvious walking around with a black brick and a security guard stopping whenever the guy carrying the iPhone stopped."
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The post comes as Apple is believed to be planning big changes to the iPhone 17
Credit: @SKYFOPS
The post was later shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"This looks legit," he said.
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Adding to the intrigue, @Skyfops, in a reply to a comment on his post, said: "The guy on the right was security and trying to go in front of the iPhone to hide it."
The post comes as Apple is believed to be cooking up huge design changes for the iPhone 17 release – including tempting tweaks to the battery and screen.
That's according to a list of 10 rumoured features for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro revealed by Apple watchers.
On current iPhone Pro models, there's a raised square on the top-left of its rear casing where the camera lives.
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But the iPhone 17 Pro could see this bump stretch right across the back of the handset.
It's still expected to only feature three cameras, keeping the current triangle layout.
However, it would dramatically change how the back of your
What else could be new on iPhone 17?
Other rumoured tweaks include a new aluminium frame (swapping away from titanium), an upgrade to 12GB of RAM, better cooling, a more powerful Apple A19 Pro processor, and an Apple-built Wi-Fi 7 chip for connecting to the internet.
So to recap, the 10 features would be:
Bigger battery
Scratch-resistant screen
Rectangular camera bump
24-megapixel selfie camera
48-megapixel telephoto camera
Aluminium frame
12GB RAM
Improved cooling
Apple A19 Pro chipset
Apple Wi-Fi 7 chip
Of course these changes aren't guaranteed – they're simply based on leaks.
And even if Apple is working on these tweaks, its plans could always change in the meantime.

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The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm convinced I know exact iPhone 17 release date WEEKS before big Apple reveal – and I guessed last year's right too
We also reveal a big change for one of the new models PHONE HOME I'm convinced I know exact iPhone 17 release date WEEKS before big Apple reveal – and I guessed last year's right too APPLE is nearly ready to show off its next big iPhone – and I reckon I've guessed the date. I'm The Sun's tech editor and I've been writing about the iPhone for years. Last year, I guessed the release date for the iPhone 16, so I'm giving it another go for the iPhone 17 too. 3 Apple chief Tim Cook looks set to announce as many as four new iPhones later this year Credit: Apple 3 The iPhone 16 Pro is due to be replaced very soon Credit: Apple The iPhone 17 release date isn't public yet and won't be for weeks. Apple will announce it during its annual September iPhone event – although that hasn't been confirmed either. But the company is a creature of habit, which means it's possible to make a fairly decent guess at when the next model will come out. This year, Apple is rumoured to be mixing things up with an ultra-slim iPhone 17 model, replacing the usual Plus version. But first, when is it out? iPhone 17 release date prediction Last year I guessed that the iPhone 16 would go up for pre-order on Friday, September 13 before an on-sale date of Friday, September 20. It turned out to be a spot-on prediction. Hopefully my crystal ball (or crystal apple?) won't fail me again this year. Apple usually shows off its blockbuster iPhone for the year in September. It's typically in the first half of the month on a Tuesday or Wednesday. That would typically be followed by pre-orders on the Friday, with the release date exactly one week later. In 2025, I'm guessing that the iPhone 17 launch will take place on Tuesday, September 9. It seems to be the safer pick versus Wednesday in recent years. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit Based on that, we'd expect pre-orders on Friday, September 12 – and an official release on Friday, September 19. Working backwards – based on previous years – I'd guess that Apple will announce its event via invitations on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. And for the big new iOS release (this year it's iOS 26), we'd expect it to drop the Monday after the big reveal. That's Monday, September 15. Here's a recap of all those dates: iPhone 17 event announcement – Tuesday, August 26 iPhone 17 event – Tuesday, September 9 iPhone 17 pre-orders – Friday, September 12 iOS 19 release – Monday, September 15 iPhone 17 release date – Friday, September 19 Of course there's no guarantee that Apple will stick to this schedule – or even come close to it. But it's my best prediction based on the company's iPhone release history so far. IOS 26 SUPPORTED DEVICES – THE FULL LIST Here are the iOS 26 supported devices... iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (3rd gen) iPhone SE (2nd gen) Picture Credit: Apple What could potentially throw a spanner in the works is if one or more of the models don't come until later on. It's possible that some models release earlier than others. That's happened in previous years. Ultimately Apple hasn't announced any of this, so even if these are the plans, they could still change. But if you're desperate for an iPhone 17, you can at least mark your calendar in pencil. iPhone 17 – what to expect? So what will we actually see from Apple this year? 3 All of the new iPhone 17 models will run on iOS 26 Credit: Apple The big rumour is that Apple is abandoning its Plus model. So we'd still get an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. But there would be a mysterious fourth device that's ultra-thin. It's rumoured as the iPhone 17 Air, but the name could be something else entirely. The Air branding would be in keeping with Apple's MacBook and iPad ranges, and it could be as thin as 6mm. By contrast, the iPhone 16 was 7.8mm thick. This svelte gadget is expected to fall between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro in terms of pricing. Screen sizes could come in slightly bigger this year, rising by 0.1-0.2 inches per model. And all four devices are expected to feature 120Hz Pro Motion screens (previously a Pro-only feature). That allows for smoother scrolling and video. On the back of at least some of the new iPhones, we're expecting a large camera bump that spans horizontally across the phone – rather than just being stuck in the corner. IPHONE SCREEN SIZES – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME Here's how iPhone screen sizes have changed over the years – as measured in inches diagonally from corner to corner... 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 iPhone 16 (2024) – 6.1 inches iPhone 16 Plus (2024) – 6.7 inches iPhone 16 Pro (2024) – 6.3 inches iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) – 6.9 inches iPhone 16e (2025) – 6.1 inches We'll likely see some general camera quality improvements too. Apple is reportedly switching to aluminium casing for the Pro models, which means a move away from titanium. But that's about it in terms of major rumoured changes. Next year is rumoured to be a bigger year for Apple, with the potential debut of the first foldable iPhone. But we still don't have all the details for this year's iPhone launch, never mind next year's.


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Millions of iPhone owners warned over ‘big drop' in mobile value coming in DAYS with shock fall of up to £300
Read on for the new iPhone 17 features CASHED OUT Millions of iPhone owners warned over 'big drop' in mobile value coming in DAYS with shock fall of up to £300 MILLIONS of iPhone owners are being warned to sell up fast, with experts predicting a shock drop in mobile values of up to £300 in just days. Apple iPhones usually hold their value, meaning you can flog your old one for a tidy sum when it's time to upgrade. Advertisement 4 iPhone owners could see up to £300 wiped off the value of their handsets within days Credit: Reuters 4 Expert warns a 'big drop' in resale prices expected to hit soon Credit: Getty But a top second-hand tech firm has warned prices could plunge by as much as 30% once the iPhone 17 drops. Sam Wilson, boss at Gadget GoGo, has urged iPhone owners to flog their handsets now if they want top dollar for their next upgrade. 'You've got just 30 days before the value starts to tank,' he warned. 'Every year, people hang on until after Apple's big reveal – and by then it's too late. The market's flooded with old models and prices nosedive.' Advertisement more on apple APPY DAYS Unlock cheaper shopping bills and holidays with genius Apple 'AI tricks' Why the shock fall? Wilson said simply announcing a new iPhone is enough to make older ones plummet in value, with Pro and Pro Max handsets losing £150–£300 in the first month after launch. 'That's cash straight out of your pocket if you wait,' he added. So if you've got an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max and plan to flog it to fund the shiny new iPhone 17, you might want to move fast. Even older models like the iPhone 13 (2021) or iPhone 14 (2022) could bag you more cash now than in a month's time, warns Wilson. Advertisement 'Even if your iPhone's a few years old, the value will take a hit the second Apple drops its new one,' he said. Rumour has it the iPhone 17 range – including Pro, Pro Max and a wafer-thin 'iPhone 17 Air' – will be unveiled on September 9, with pre-orders from September 12 and on-sale date of September 19. Apple reveals 'Safety Check' trick to instantly stop exposing your pics and location That gives you just 30 days to cash in before prices tumble. 'Get the selling ball rolling now – even if you're eyeing up an upgrade in September,' Wilson urged. Advertisement 'Plenty of buyback sites let you lock in today's price and keep your handset for a few more weeks.' With Brits hanging onto their mobiles for longer as yearly upgrades lose their sparkle, flogging your iPhone now could mean pocketing far more cash than if you wait. And you don't have to splash out on a pricey iPhone 17 either – the money could go towards a refurbished or second-hand model and still leave change in your pocket. iPhone tricks to try today Here are some of the best... Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency Check if you're due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier iPhone 17 features Apple is cooking up huge design changes for this year's big iPhone release – including tempting tweaks to the battery and screen. Advertisement Apple is expected to unveil as many as four new iPhone models. We are expecting the lot to include a premium iPhone 17 Pro smartphone, an upgrade on the rumoured iPhone 17. Expert Apple blog MacRumors revealed the changes we're expecting, including a larger battery. This will reportedly be made possible thanks to a slightly thicker design. Advertisement iPhone 16 models were hailed for their impressive battery life (including in our iPhone 16 review), but the iPhone 17 Pro could offer even more juice. Apple is reportedly working on a more scratch-resistant screen. Apple may be creating a new anti-reflective coating for the display that makes it tougher. So, hopefully your screen will stay pristine for longer, giving you better resale value when you're done with it. Advertisement Another quirky design change is the claimed move to a rectangular camera bump. On current iPhone Pro models, there's a raised square on the top-left of its rear casing where the camera lives. But the iPhone 17 Pro could see this bump stretch right across the back of the handset. It's still expected to only feature three cameras, keeping the current triangle layout. Advertisement It's rumoured that we'll see an upgraded 24-megapixel selfie camera (up from the current 12 megapixels). That's in addition to the reported 48-megapixel telephoto camera on the back, which would be an increase from the 12-megapixel zoom lens on the iPhone 16 Pro. Other rumoured tweaks include a new aluminium frame (swapping away from titanium), an upgrade to 12GB of RAM, better cooling, a more powerful Apple A19 Pro processor, and an Apple-built Wi-Fi 7 chip for connecting to the internet. 4 Apple is expected to release the new iPhone 17 models in September Credit: Apple Advertisement


Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Big Tech Show: Musk takes swing at Apple, Intel CEO woos Trump and should judges use AI
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