iPhone 17 series: In summary
- Four iPhone 17 models are expected, including the new Air
- Estimated launch date of 9 September
- Leaks have already shown dummy models
The rumour mill never rests when it comes to Apple’s iPhones.
The iPhone 16 series has been out for over eight months, and interest in the iPhone 17 is ramping up. As Apple is notoriously secretive, we don’t expect to get any official news but rumours are delivering more and more concrete information, thanks to specs leaks and images of dummy phones.
Here’s a round-up of everything we know so far about the entire lineup. Remember, however, that nothing is set in stone until Apple announces it.
When will the iPhone 17 be released?
In summary
- iPhone 17 lineup expected to be announced on 9 September
- Pre-orders likely to open the next Friday
- Devices should be shipped a week later
Apple typically unveils its new iPhone lineup in September, often on the Tuesday of the second week. Based on this pattern, we can expect the iPhone 17 to be announced around 9 September 2025.
Pre-orders usually open on the Friday following the announcement, with devices shipping a week later. Occasionally, specific models may experience slight delays due to production issues.
Here’s a look at the release dates of recent iPhones:
- iPhone 16: 9 September 2024
- iPhone 15: 12 September 2023
- iPhone 14: 7 September 2022
- iPhone 13: 14 September 2021
- iPhone 12: 13 October 2020 (delayed due to Covid)
Jason Cross / Foundry
How much will the iPhone 17 cost?
In summary
- Prices are currently speculative
- The Plus model is expected to be replaced by the Air
- Prices for the lineup could increase from last year
Pricing details for the iPhone 17 remain speculative. The ‘Plus’, the lineup’s least popular model, is likely to be replaced by a new ‘Air’ model.
The expected pricing is as follows:
- iPhone 17: 6.27-inch, A19/8GB (£799/$799)
- iPhone 17 Air: 6.65-inch, A19/8GB (£899/$899)
- iPhone 17 Pro: 6.27-inch , A19 Pro/12GB (£1,099/$1,099)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.86-inch, A19 Pro/12GB (£1,199/$1,199)
If these rumours hold true, we could see an increase in cost, with the Pro model’s price rising by £100/$100.
What specs and features will the iPhone 17 have?
In summary
- All models are expected to feature LTPO displays
- All but the Pro Max expected to stick with 8GB of RAM
- Selfie cameras likely to get a bump to 24MP, from 12MP
- iPhone 17 Air may be less than 5.6mm thick
iPhone 17 Air
The iPhone 17 Air, previously referred to as the iPhone 17 Slim, is likely to replace the Plus as a mid-tier model in Apple’s lineup, positioned between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.
It’s been termed “unbelievably thin”, with an alleged thickness of less than 5.6mm, which makes it even slimmer than the 5.8mm Samsung S25 Galaxy Edge, and lighter at 145g.
It’s expected to feature a new, ultra-thin OLED display, made possible by Novatek’s TDDI (Touch and Display Driver Integration) OLED panel, which integrates the touch sensor and display driver into one layer.
To achieve its ultra-thin form, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to feature a tiny a 2,800mAh battery, certainly no physical SIM card slot, and only a single 48Mp rear camera. To help with battery life issues, Apple is expected to sell a battery case for the model, which, by making it thicker and heavier, would negate its key selling point.
Sonny Dickson
Having seen dummies of the models, we now know that the iPhone 17 Air is smaller than the 6.33-inch iPhone 16 Plus.
Majin Bu
It’s also expected to include a 6.6-inch display (slightly smaller than the iPhone Plus models), Face ID, a Dynamic Island cutout, and an aluminium chassis.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to run on the A19 chip (not the A19 Pro), have 8GB of RAM, and feature a 24MP front-facing camera, making it a strong contender for users who want premium features without the high price of the Pro models.
Sources: MacRumors | GSMArena | Medium | DigiTimes | GSMArena (2)
iPhone 17 Ultra
Will there be an “Ultra” model, as some rumours have suggested? There has been speculation that an “Ultra” model could replace the Pro Max, but at this stage, the Pro Max seems more likely .
Source: 9to5mac Majin Bu on X
Design
A leaked image of dummy models of the iPhone 17 lineup provided the first concrete information on lens placement and the design of the camera modules.
Sonny Dickson
The designs pictured above received confirmation when a video of a dummy Pro Max model was shown on X. It appears identical to the first model in the above lineup, with a camera module that stretches across the entire back of the handset.
This panel, which appears to be glass, is the biggest new design element we’ve seen to iPhone handsets in years, echoing the “Liquid Glass” redesign expected in iOS 26.
All models in the new line-up will have a Dynamic Island that’s “largely unchanged” in size from the iPhone 16.
Where build is concerned, a return to aluminium frames is possible, except for the Pro models, which are expected to retain their titanium frames.
Apple may introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 is likely to measure in at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches, which would make it the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro.
Apple might introduce a new green colour option for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as it was found to be testing colour codes, including #004349 (Teal Titanium), #4f00b7 (Green Titanium), and #003800 (Dark Green Titanium). Teal Titanium is considered most likely to make it to the final lineup as a departure from Apple’s traditional more subdued colour options for its Pro models.
Sources: Sonny Dickson on X | GSMArena | GSMArena (2) | The Information | Majin Bu | Majin Bu on X
Display
All models in the iPhone 17 lineup are expected to feature LTPO displays, with sizes varying between 6.27 inches and 6.86 inches. The always-on display, previously exclusive to Pro models, is rumoured to become standard across all versions.
It’s also suggested that the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature ProMotion displays, Apple’s branded term for high-refresh-rate technology.
It remains uncertain whether the standard iPhone 17 models will match the Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate or settle for a slightly lower 90Hz. Either way, this would mark a notable improvement from the 60Hz screens found in the current non-Pro models, though it comes years after rivals.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Sources: The Elec | Ice Universe on Weibo | Digital Chat Station on Weibo | Instant Digital on Weibo
Performance
All models of the iPhone 17 will likely be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, although only the Pro and Pro Max variants are expected to get the more powerful A19 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature 12GB of RAM, while the other models will stick with 8GB of RAM.
Despite Apple’s efforts to develop its own 5G modem, the iPhone 17 series will likely still rely on Qualcomm for cellular connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 support is also anticipated.
Apple is thought to be adopting vapour chamber cooling across all models in the lineup. Vapour chambers are advanced cooling systems that use a small amount of liquid, typically de-ionised water, to dissipate heat. The heat from the chipset causes the liquid to evaporate, and the vapour spreads across the chamber to cool the device efficiently.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Sources: Ming-Chi Kuo on X | GSMArena
Cameras
A significant upgrade is expected to the front-facing camera, with all models featuring a 24Mp sensor with 6P lens, compared to the current 12Mp selfie camera.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a 48Mp wide camera, a 48Mp ultrawide camera and a 48Mp tetraprism telephoto camera, which will make it the first iPhone to feature three 48Mp cameras.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Sources: Ming Chi Kuo on Medium | MacRumors | Ming Chi Kuo on Medium (2) | Ice Universe on Weibo |
Battery & Charging
Apple is set to introduce an innovative, electrically-induced battery removal technology across the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
This technology reportedly builds on the adhesive mechanism seen in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, which allowed users to detach the battery easily by applying a low-voltage electrical current.
The adhesive softens when connected to a 9V battery, USB-C charger, or other power sources, making battery maintenance and replacement more user-friendly.
Source: Majin Bu
Software
The iPhone 17 series will launch with iOS 19, packed with new features and improvements.
While AI is playing an increasingly central role in phone software, ongoing issues with Apple Intelligence mean it looks likely that Google Gemini will be on iOS 19.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
That’s all we know at this point about the iPhone 17 series. While we wait for more news, check out what the iPhone 16 series has to offer and where to buy it.
