While the latest report doesn’t dive into specs or design changes, it does hint that at least one of the upcoming models has already cleared the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) phase, which is a key step in Apple’s pre-production process.
EVT is where Apple tests out prototype hardware to make sure everything works as intended. Getting through EVT this early suggests the company has likely locked in the hardware for at least one of the iPhone 17 models.
After EVT, the lineup still needs to pass through the Design Validation Test (DVT) and Production Validation Test (PVT) before full-scale manufacturing begins in the summer. That timeline lines up with Apple’s usual September release window.
As for the lineup itself, we are expecting four models again – but with a twist. The Plus model may be getting the boot, with a new iPhone 17 Air taking its place. So, we are likely looking at the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The base iPhone 17 is rumored to stick closely to the iPhone 16’s look, but the Pro models could be in for a redesign with a bigger rear camera island – a change that is already stirring up debates online.
