iPhone 17 scratch resistant anti-reflective display layer scrapped, report claims

A new anti-reflective, scratch-resistant display layer expected to launch with the iPhone 17 has been scrapped, according to a report by MacRumors, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Originally, Apple had planned to introduce a new display coating for the iPhone 17 lineup, which would have offered greater scratch resistance than the current Ceramic Shield. The upgrade was specifically intended for the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, making them the first iPhones with an anti-reflective display. However, the report states that the feature is no longer planned, reportedly because “it didn’t work out.” Apple is said to have encountered issues scaling the display coating process, which proved too slow to meet production demands—even for the Pro models alone.

The standard iPhone 17 is anticipated to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display with ProMotion technology (up to 120Hz refresh rate), the new A19 chip, 12GB of RAM, and upgraded cameras, including a 48MP rear and 24MP front-facing lens.

The lineup will also debut the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, measuring just 5.5mm thick. Built with a titanium-aluminum alloy frame, it will allegedly sport a 6.6-inch OLED ProMotion display and similar camera specs to the base model.

The flagship iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to come in both 6.6-inch and 6.9-inch variants, featuring Liquid Retina XDR displays and a new A19 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process. Alongside 12GB of RAM, these devices will offer a triple 48MP camera system, including an ultra-wide and a periscope telephoto lens, with support for 8K video recording and enhanced thermal management. A new “Sky Blue” color option is also rumored.