The launch of Apple‘s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is still a few months away, but new leaked images are already giving us a closer look at what’s going to change under the hood – starting with the battery. The images, shared by whistleblower Majin Bu, show that Apple has made significant changes to the phone’s internal design, with practical improvements aimed at thermal efficiency and security.
There are subtle differences in the internal layout depending on the region. The US variant, which relies solely on eSIM, uses the extra space (normally reserved for the SIM card tray) to accommodate a slightly larger body. The Chinese model, meanwhile, has room for a physical SIM card slot.
Despite this difference in design, both versions have the same battery capacity. The steel body is expected to help with heat management, especially when performing resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or shooting high-resolution video.
The leaked photos also show a smaller cutout for the logic board at the top of the battery, which may allow for more efficient use of internal space for other components. Another change worth noting is a new adhesive layer that is reportedly designed to make battery replacement easier. This could be part of a broader effort by Apple to improve repairability, especially in light of recent EU regulations that require user-friendly design.
In terms of cameras, Apple is also rumored to be testing an 8x telephoto lens for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Combined with a steel body and improved internal components, these upgrades could make the iPhone 17 Pro not only more productive, but also more durable and easier to maintain.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to hit the market in September 2025, most likely during Apple’s usual second-week event. While the battery capacity itself may not see significant changes, these behind-the-scenes tweaks suggest that Apple is focused on improving the overall user experience through better thermal management and a more repair-friendly design.
More details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks, but for now, this leak provides an early glimpse of what Apple may be planning for its next Pro iPhone.
