Hopes for a significantly upgraded display on the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models appear to have been dashed, according to recent reports.
Early rumors circulating since last spring pointed towards Apple incorporating a new, cutting-edge screen coating that promised both superior scratch resistance, potentially exceeding the current Ceramic Shield, and powerful anti-reflective properties. However, reliable sources speaking to MacRumors now suggest that Apple has been forced to scrap these plans for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max due to significant hurdles in the manufacturing process.
The core issue seems to stem from difficulties in scaling the application of this advanced coating for mass production. While the feature was initially planned specifically for the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro variants, the process was reportedly proving too slow and complex to implement effectively across the millions of devices Apple needs to manufacture.
This production bottleneck has seemingly led Apple to abandon the feature, at least for the 2025 iPhone lineup, leaving potential buyers without what could have been a major display enhancement. It remains unclear whether Apple has pivoted to a simpler coating, explored its existing nano-texture technology found on some iPads and Macs, or if the iPhone 17 Pro displays will simply retain the standard oleophobic, fingerprint-resistant coating found on current models without additional anti-reflective benefits.
This reported cancellation is undoubtedly a disappointment, as the rumored coating offered tangible benefits for users. Greatly reduced reflections and glare would have made the iPhone 17 Pro screen significantly more usable in bright sunlight or under harsh indoor lighting, allowing colors to appear more vibrant and true-to-life. Furthermore, the promise of enhanced scratch resistance beyond the already tough Ceramic Shield would have provided extra peace of mind against everyday wear and tear. The loss of these potential upgrades removes a key differentiator that many were anticipating for Apple’s next-generation Pro devices.
The news stings particularly hard when looking at the competition, specifically Samsung’s recent flagship devices. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, and now the S25 Ultra, feature Corning’s Gorilla Glass Armor, which actively boasts impressive anti-reflective capabilities, cutting down glare substantially compared to typical smartphone glass.
This puts Apple in a position where it appears to be lagging behind its main rival in this specific area of display technology, a sentiment echoed by frustrated users online discussing the potential switch to competitors if Apple doesn’t catch up soon.
Despite this setback for the display technology, other aspects of the iPhone 17 development cycle seem to be progressing. Reports suggest that at least one iPhone 17 model has successfully completed engineering validation testing (EVT), indicating that Apple is generally on track for its expected September 2025 launch window for the entire iPhone 17 series, which is anticipated to include standard, Slim/Air, Pro, and Pro Max variants.
(via MacRumors)
