The iPhone 17 series is set to be one of 2025’s biggest launch events, as Apple introduces its answer to theSamsung Galaxy S25andGoogle Pixel 10ranges on September 9.
It’s already been a significant year foriPhone, thanks to the unexpected arrival of theiPhone 16eand the biggest overhaul to iOS in more than a decade withiOS 26, but Apple isn’t done just yet.
This year, we expect the iPhone 17 series to include the hotly-tippediPhone Airmodel for the first time.
So here’s everything we know so far about the iPhone 17 series from the multitude of leaks, rumors and speculation from across the web.
Latest iPhone 17 news
iPhone 17: release date rumors
Apple has confirmed its new major event for September 9, where we fully expect the iPhone 17 series to be announced.
Get ready for an awe dropping#AppleEventon Tuesday, September 9!pic.twitter.com/uAcYp2RLMM
This confirmation matches a recent leak which pointed towards the September 9 launch.
With the iPhone 17 launch date now confirmed for September 9, we’re more inclined to belief the rumors predicting an iPhone 17 release date of September 19, with pre-orders opening on September 12.
Let’s look at Apple’s historical track record when it comes to some of the recent iPhone releases.
iPhone 17: price rumors
The economical uncertainly of 2025, withrising tariffsand complex geo-political situations, have led to reports suggestingApple could raise iPhone pricesfor the first time since theiPhone 12.
One rumorsuggests Apple will increase the price of the base iPhone 17 Proby $50 over the iPhone 16 Pro’s launch price – but to offset the increase it’ll double storage to 256GB.
There’s been no word from Apple on whether we can expect iPhone 17 price increases. If Apple is to keep prices the same as last year, the base iPhone 17 would start at $799, the iPhone 17 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,199.
The highly anticipated, super-slim iPhone 17 Air (more on this shortly) is being tipped to launchat roughly $900.
How many iPhone 17 models will there be?
Apple is expected to keep rolling with the four-handset line-up we’ve seen in recent years, but in 2025 there’s a new model which is poised to replace one of the incumbents.
There are suggestions Apple will replace the ‘Plus’ model with the Air, to keep the range at four devices. As we noted in ouriPhone 16 Plus review, the larger size of the entry level iPhone finds itself in a complicated position where it makes it difficult to recommend.
If Apple was to ditch any of the line-up to make room for the iPhone Air, the Plus makes the most sense.
Expected iPhone 17 series line-up
iPhone 17: design
From the rumors we’ve seen so far, it looks like the iPhone 17 lineup could see significant design changes from the current iPhone 16 family.
One of the bigger changes we may see this year is the possibility of Applereturning to a curved-edge designrather than the flat edges that have been around since 2020. This would harken back to the first few iPhone iterations before Apple switched to flat edges, and then alternated back again.
This change may apply to all models of the iPhone 17, or maybe only the base models or only the Pro models.
But the biggest visual change could be to the rear camera arrays on all handsets, with early renders pointing towards my larger bumps which span the entire width of the devices.
Considering that Apple just tweaked the design of the iPhone 16, it’s unlikely that we will see any major revamp for the base model iPhone 17.
Rumors have suggested that Apple may actually slightly increase the size of the base model iPhone 17 to 6.3 inches (up from 6.1 inches), which would be the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro.
Aside from that, though, there hasn’t been much information about the base model’s design changes. Some mock-ups (like the one above), suggest we’ll see a new camera design, but it’s too early to tell at this point.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
While the iPhone 16 Pro models maintained a familiar design reminiscent of previous years, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are poised for substantial changes that could redefine their appeal.
Initially, there were rumors suggesting thatApple might abandon titaniumin favor of an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro models. However, a recent report from December suggests that Appleplans to continue utilizing titaniumfor these devices.
This situation is rife with speculation, and we can anticipate a wave of conflicting reports leading up to the official launch. At this point, both materials remain viable options, although we tend to believe that titanium will make the final cut, given its premium qualities.
The design of the back glass could also see alterations, shifting from a fully glass surface to a combination of aluminum and glass. Industry rumors propose that the upper half of the back panel could feature aluminum, while the bottom segment retains the glass finish necessary for wireless charging functionality.
The incorporation of aluminum would not only enhance the device’s aesthetics but also provide greater durability against accidental drops, thus improving overall user experience.
In terms of camera design, the iPhone 16 Pro models were underwhelming due to minimal changes in this area. However, the iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to introduce significant upgrades.
Apple may eliminate the traditional square camera module in favor of a sleek rectangular camera bar crafted from aluminum. This design choice mirrors the approach taken by Google, indicating a trend towards more streamlined camera aesthetics.
Another intriguing possibility for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the introduction of a smaller Dynamic Island. This potential modification stems from the implementation of a new “meta-lens” for Face ID, which could allow for a more compact design and therefore less spatial demand on the device.
Furthermore, there are whispers about offeringbrighter, more saturated color optionsfor the iPhone 17 Pro models, including striking shades like dark green, teal, and classic green.
This information has been attributed to leaker Majin Bu, although it’s wise to approach these claims with some skepticism, as this particular leaker has had a mixed record when it comes to the accuracy of past rumors.
A rumor suggests the iPhone 17 Pro seriescould be offered in a colorthat was last seen on the MacBook Air.
iPhone 17 Air
The most exciting device of the iPhone 17 line-up could be one which is brand new to Apple. According to rumors, Apple will introduce a significantly slimmer model dubbed the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air is likely to feature only a single-lens rear camera. Regarding the placement of the rear camera, reports indicate that it may adopt a vertical layout in the top-left corner like the iPhone 16 or switch to a large, centered camera bump on the back.
Reports suggestit will be 25% thinnerthan the iPhone 16 Pro. This thinness would be achievedby Apple using its in-house modemto replace the Qualcomm modems it previously utilized. However, a significantly thinner chassismight leave limited room for the battery, which is an important consideration.
There may not be enough space on the bottom edge for a speaker, so the iPhone 17 Air may only have one speaker at the top. The frame will consist of titanium and aluminum, but with a higher proportion of aluminum than titanium compared to the current Pro models.
iPhone 17: display
The iPhone 17 Pro handsets might boast the toughest screens Apple has ever put on a phone,with a report pointing towardsa less reflective, more scratch-resistant display.
Meanwhile, Apple could also address complaints about the base model iPhone, even the iPhone 16, still using a display with only a 60Hz refresh rate.That may be changing with the iPhone 17 series.
According to industry sources, Apple may use LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) displays across the iPhone 17 lineup. Yes, that includes the base model and the Air variant. LTPO technology allows an OLED screen to have a dynamic refresh rate while using less power. With this in mind, all iPhone 17 models could have the120Hz ProMotion always-on display.
Several industry insiders corroborated the report that all iPhone 17 models will get a 120Hz display as of the end of last year.
Another big change we may see is an anti-reflective layer on the glass, which would help reduce glare and make it easier to see outdoors. This coating could also make the screen more resistant to scratches than the current Ceramic Shield.
As we mentioned previously, the base model iPhone 17 could get a bump in size to a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display. The iPhone 17 Air may be 6.6 inches, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should remain 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.
iPhone 17: power and connectivity
Apple consistently enhances its iPhone lineup each year by introducing faster and more efficient processors, and the iPhone 17 series will be no exception.
The A19 chips anticipated for the iPhone 17 are said to be built using an upgraded 3nm manufacturing process. If accurate, this should result in a modest increase in performance and power efficiency.
It’s expected Apple will offer two variants of the chip, with standard A19 powering the base iPhone 17, and a beefier A19 Pro could be found in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
There’s some confusion around the chipset that’ll be found in the iPhone 17 Air, with earlier rumors suggesting it’ll get the A19.A more recent reportpoints towards it benefitting from the A19 Pro, albeit with one less GPU core than the chip destined for the Pro models.
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are anticipated to have 8GB of RAM, while there are mixed reports about the Pro models. One rumor suggests both Pro models will carry 12GB of RAM, while another claims only the Pro Max will feature 12GB, with the standard Pro model also getting 8GB.
With the introduction of the iPhone 16e, Apple started moving away from Qualcommby developing in-house modems.
This transition is set to unfold over the next three years, meaning at least one of the iPhone 17 models may incorporate Apple’s proprietary 5G modem, while the others may continue to rely on Qualcomm’s technology.
iPhone 17: cameras
The upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is set to offersubstantial advancementsin its camera technology, a development that is sure to excite both enthusiasts and professional photographers alike.
Every model in the iPhone 17 series is expected to feature a significantly enhanced front-facing selfie camera, boasting an impressive 24MP resolution compared to the previous 12MP. This upgrade in megapixels promises to deliver sharper details and more vibrant, clearer selfies, thereby enhancing the overall photography experience.
However, there may still be some notable discrepancies in camera features between the Pro models. Reports indicate that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be equipped with a suite ofhigh-performance cameras, including a 48MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera.
In contrast, the smaller iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to retain a 12MP telephoto lens. Nonetheless, it’s wise to approach this information skeptically, as alternative reports suggest that both Pro variants may come equipped with a 48MP telephoto lens.
Regardless of the final configuration, both Pro models could get an upgrade in the zoom department. Rumors suggestApple will up the optical zoom capabilities of its Pro phonesfrom 5x to 8x.
Additional discussions have surfaced regarding a potential redesign of the camera bump, reminiscent of the camera bar found in the Google Pixel 9 series.
The slimmer variant will feature a singular yet powerful 48MP camera, promising to deliver high-quality images in a more compact form.
Moreover, rumors suggest that at least one model in the iPhone 17 lineup may incorporate a mechanical aperture system, although the specific model remains uncertain. This innovative feature would empower users to adjust the aperture size, thus controlling the light entering the lens. iPhones utilize a fixed aperture system; adding a variable aperture would enable photographers to create images with a shallower depth of field, enhancing artistic expression in their work.
iPhone 17: battery life
The upgraded manufacturing process for the A19 chip is set to enhance both performance and power efficiency significantly. Apple typically does not opt for major increases in battery capacity with its new releases; however, users can anticipate notable improvements in battery life due to the A19 processor’s enhanced power efficiency.
Even if the battery capacity remains similar to that of the current generation, the optimized performance of the chip should lead to a more efficient energy usage, allowing for extended usage times between charges.
There is aquestion mark hanging over the iPhone 17 Air battery lifethough, with the super-slim device tipped to have a battery which is just 2.49mm thick.
Additionally, there’s encouraging news for iPhone 17 users who may need to replace their batteries in the future. Apple has implemented anew type of adhesivethat can be easily loosened using a low-voltage electrical current.
This technology, which has already been used in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, offers a significant advantage over previous adhesives, particularly in the Pro models, which lacked this feature.
It simplifies the battery replacement process, making it more accessible for users. If Apple adopts this method across the entire iPhone 17 lineup, it will alleviate much of the frustration associated with battery replacements, allowing users to extend the life of their devices without the need for extensive repairs or professional assistance.
