The buzz surrounding the iPhone 17 leak has taken over tech circles, and it’s no surprise why – Apple’s next-gen lineup promises to bring some exciting changes. Fans and tech enthusiasts alike are eagerly speculating about the upcoming leaked iPhone 17 features, with rumors hinting at a thinner iPhone 17 Air and a dramatically redesigned iPhone 17 Pro Max. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As the iPhone 17 release date draws nearer, leaks are showing us glimpses of a device that could potentially reshape how we interact with smartphones, thanks to smarter cameras, sleeker designs, and possibly even new functionalities. But that’s not all that’s rocking the tech world right now. From groundbreaking gaming titles to major security vulnerabilities, the tech landscape is brimming with surprises. Read on to discover more about these game-changing leaks and announcements, including what the iPhone 17 leak reveals about Apple’s upcoming game-changer, along with the delays shaking up some highly anticipated products.
Leaked iPhone 17: Thinner Air, Redesigned Pro Max
Leaked details about the iPhone 17 lineup suggest major changes, especially with the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air and the redesigned iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to reliable leaker Ice Universe, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will maintain the same dimensions as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be thinner while keeping the same size, measuring just 5.5mm thick, compared to the Pro Max’s 8.72mm thickness, which may be slightly increased due to a new camera system or a larger battery.
Additional leaks from sources like Majin Bu and YouTuber iDeviceHelp have confirmed these dimensions, with some even showcasing dummy models of the iPhone 17 lineup. The iPhone 17 Air and the Pro models will sport a Google Pixel-like camera array, while the standard iPhone 17 will retain a design closely resembling the iPhone 16. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to replace the current Plus model, offering more internal space for components. Despite being slightly bulkier, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air are expected to have similar overall sizes.
While we eagerly await the official details, the iPhone 17 release date is expected to be revealed in September, when Apple will likely announce its new iPhones and provide a deeper look into the exciting upgrades. Stay tuned for more updates as the launch draws closer!
Security Flaw in ESP32 Chip Could Expose IoT Devices
A security concern has been discovered in the widely-used ESP32 chip, which powers over a billion IoT devices globally. Researchers Miguel Tarascó Acuña and Antonio Vázquez Blanco from Tarlogic Security uncovered 29 undocumented vendor-specific Bluetooth commands in the ESP32’s firmware. These hidden commands, including Opcode 0x3F, offer low-level control over Bluetooth functions, allowing operations like memory manipulation, MAC address spoofing, and injecting malicious packets. While not directly accessible remotely without additional vulnerabilities, these commands could be exploited if an attacker gains physical access to a device or if the firmware is already compromised.
The existence of these commands raises concerns about potential supply chain attacks or hidden backdoors, though Espressif, the chip’s manufacturer, has not documented them, likely due to oversight. To expose these vulnerabilities, Tarlogic developed BluetoothUSB, a C-based tool that allows for cross-platform Bluetooth traffic analysis, making security audits more accessible. The discovery highlights the importance of strong firmware security in IoT devices, particularly low-cost ones like the ESP32, which are commonly used in applications ranging from smart locks to medical equipment. While not inherently malicious, these undocumented commands could be exploited for impersonation attacks or to alter device behavior.
MWC 2025: Infinix, Nothing, and Nubia Unveil New Phones
At the Mobile World Congress, several brands unveiled new products, including Infinix, Nothing, nubia, and more. Infinix launched the Note 50 series in Indonesia, featuring larger 5,200mAh batteries, faster 144Hz displays, and improved cameras. The Note 50 starts at IDR 2,699,000 ($165), while the Note 50 Pro starts at IDR 2,999,000 ($182).
Nothing introduced the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro with nearly identical specs, including Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 6.77-inch OLED screens, and 5,000mAh batteries. The Phone (3a) has a 50MP main camera, while the Pro offers a longer 70mm zoom and better selfie cameras. Prices for the Phone (3a) start at £329 ($329), and the Pro starts at £449 ($459).
ZTE’s nubia launched the Neo 3 and Neo 3 GT, affordable gaming phones with shoulder triggers and 120Hz displays. The Neo 3 runs a Unisoc T8300 chip, and the Neo 3 GT adds a more powerful Unisoc T9100 chip with enhanced cooling. Both phones come with large batteries ranging from 5,200mAh to 6,000mAh, depending on the market.
These announcements highlight the latest trends in budget-friendly and gaming-focused smartphones.
Split Fiction: Hazelight's Hit and Potential GOTY Contender
Hazelight Studios’ Split Fiction is quickly becoming a massive success, drawing comparisons to its predecessor It Takes Two, the 2021 Game of the Year. Split Fiction has already made a significant impact, ranking as the fifth most-played game on Steam, with 258,000 concurrent players and a meteoric rise in popularity since launch. This success marks a stark contrast to It Takes Two, which peaked at 71,000 players in its early stages. Additionally, Split Fiction has become one of the most-played games on PlayStation, trailing behind major titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and NBA 2K25.
The game has also received critical acclaim, boasting a 91 metascore and a 95% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam. With more than 12,000 reviews, there are no significant controversies surrounding the game, contributing to its positive reception. Split Fiction is widely regarded as one of the best games of 2025 so far and is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year, despite the expected release of GTA 6. Its success further establishes Hazelight Studios as a creative powerhouse in the gaming industry and may inspire more innovative gaming experiences moving forward.
Apple Delays Smart Home Hub and Siri Upgrades
Apple has reportedly delayed the release of its rumored smart home hub, which was expected to compete with Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Nest Hub. The delay is attributed to ongoing issues with developing an upgraded version of Siri, which is intended to be smarter and more personalized. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously indicated that the smart home hub, which relies on the advanced capabilities of Siri, could be revealed as early as March. However, with Siri’s development taking longer than anticipated, the hub’s launch has been postponed. Apple has confirmed that it now expects to roll out the enhanced Siri features in the coming year.
The new version of Siri aims to provide a more personalized experience, understanding users’ personal context and taking actions within apps. Despite some recent updates, such as integrating ChatGPT and offering a type-to-Siri feature, the full capabilities of the upgraded Siri are still in progress. The delay in Siri’s development has affected Apple’s larger plans for its smart home ecosystem, including the smart home hub, which is currently being tested by some employees at home.
Conclusion
As we await the iPhone 17 release date, the iPhone 17 leak has certainly raised the stakes, teasing us with exciting upgrades and a bold new direction for Apple. Whether it’s the slimmer iPhone 17 Air or the revamped iPhone 17 Pro Max, it’s clear that Apple is pushing boundaries and building anticipation for what could be its most innovative iPhone yet. But the leaks don’t stop there, with other tech giants making waves of their own in the industry.
Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest updates and deep dives into these leaks, including everything you need to know about the iPhone 17 leak and what to expect from the next iPhone release. Don’t miss out on all the excitement—make sure to follow our updates and get ahead of the curve on the tech trends shaping 2025!
