Whats new with the iPhone 17? Any new crypto features?
Yes—the iPhone 17 line is official. The base iPhone 17 gets a bigger 6.3‑inch ProMotion (up to 120 Hz) display, the A19 chip, a tougher Ceramic Shield 2 front, and an all‑new 18 MP “Center Stage” front camera alongside a 48 MP Dual Fusion rear system. Colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, white. Pre‑orders start September 12; availability September 19.
Pro models: iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max add a redesigned body and ship in deep blue, silver, and a new “cosmic orange.” Same pre‑order/availability dates.
Lineup tweak: Apple dropped the old “Plus” and introduced an iPhone Air variant (ultra‑thin, premium materials).
About “crypto” features
No, Apple didn’t announce native crypto in Apple Wallet or Apple Pay. Apple’s fall Wallet updates focus on things like order tracking; there’s still no first‑party on‑chain payments or a built‑in crypto wallet. (You can, of course, buy crypto in third‑party apps that use Apple Pay as a funding method.) (Apple Developer)
What did change that matters for crypto users/devs:
MetaMask “Sign in with Apple” / Social login
MetaMask launched social login—so you can create/restore a self‑custody wallet with your Apple ID (and Google), reducing reliance on the 12‑word phrase. That’s a MetaMask feature using Apple’s login, not a joint Apple crypto wallet.System‑level hardening that benefits wallets
Apple introduced Memory Integrity Enforcement across the platform—an OS‑level memory‑safety upgrade. While not crypto‑specific, it raises the bar against exploit chains that could target wallet signing flows.NFC openness (important in the EU; expanding elsewhere)
Regulatory changes and Apple’s developer updates mean third‑party apps can do secure NFC contactless transactions (separate from Apple Pay)—opening the door for alternative payment apps and, in some regions, potential tap‑to‑pay experiences from non‑Apple wallets. Details vary by market.
“Bitcoin Orange” color?
That nickname is trending, but Apple’s official name is “cosmic orange” and it’s limited to iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max finishes. Crypto media and social posts are calling it “Bitcoin orange,” but that’s informal.
Quick spec hits (base iPhone 17)
Display: 6.3" Super Retina XDR with ProMotion up to 120 Hz (finally on the non‑Pro)
Cameras: 48 MP Dual Fusion rear; 18 MP Center Stage front (wider FOV; landscape selfies while holding vertically)
Durability: Ceramic Shield 2, 3× better scratch resistance
Silicon: A19
Dates: Pre‑order Sep 12 → Available Sep 19
If you’re crypto‑savvy (which you are):
Use MetaMask Social login to simplify onboarding for non‑technical users (Apple ID + local password), while keeping it self‑custodial. (MetaMask)
Target regions carefully if you’re building NFC tap‑to‑pay flows; EU rules and Apple’s APIs make this most practical there first.
Lean on the new OS hardening (MIE) for wallet signing paths and key‑handling code.
