Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, which promises to be one of the biggest design updates since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017. The new lineup will feature four innovative models including the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air model, with ProMotion technology across all models, Wi-Fi 7 support, and an Apple-designed modem chip.
Article contents:
- Overview of the iPhone 17 series
- Features shared across all models
- Design and new changes
- Standard iPhone 17
- Ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
- Display technologies and sizes
- Camera and photography upgrades
- Processor and performance
- Battery and charging
- Connectivity and ports
- Smart features and artificial intelligence
- Storage and expected pricing
- Launch date and release schedule
- Future vision
- Frequently asked questions
Overview of the iPhone 17 series
The iPhone 17 series is slated for launch in September 2025, expected to feature larger displays, ProMotion technology across all models, Wi-Fi 7 support, and further technical innovations.
We are still in the middle of the current iPhone 16 release cycle, but rumors regarding the iPhone 17 models scheduled for 2025 have already begun spreading. 2025 is expected to bring one of the biggest iPhone design updates since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017.
The 2025 lineup is anticipated to include four models: iPhone 17 (standard), iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There will not be an iPhone 17 Plus this time, as Apple has decided to drop the Plus series due to low sales and weak customer interest.
New ultra-thin model:
Leaks point to an iPhone 17 Air with a thickness of around 6 mm or less, making it the thinnest iPhone ever.
Apple-designed 5G modem chip:
Apple is expected to use a custom-designed modem in some iPhone 17 models instead of Qualcomm chips, providing better power efficiency.
No Plus model:
The 2025 lineup will include only four models (iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max), with the Plus version canceled due to poor sales.
Aluminum chassis for Pro models:
Apple may replace the titanium frame on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max with an aluminum frame paired with a combined glass and aluminum back.
ProMotion display for all models:
The entire iPhone 17 series will come with displays supporting a 120Hz refresh rate for the first time on non-Pro models.
Selfie camera upgrade:
All models may get a 24-megapixel front camera instead of the current 12 megapixels.
Design and new changes
Apple plans to introduce an entirely new model named “iPhone 17 Air” featuring a much thinner design than ever before, with a new display size and a different rear camera layout.
If we compare the iPhone lineup to the Mac and iPad product lines, it can be said that the iPhone 17 Air will serve as the phone counterpart to the MacBook Air or iPad Air in terms of focusing on thinness and lightness, while the iPhone 17 Pro equates to the MacBook Pro or iPad Pro category in terms of high-end specifications.
Since the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will retain the 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes similar to the current iPhone 16 Pro models, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come in a size falling between them. Information also indicates that Apple will increase the standard iPhone 17 display size to 6.3 inches instead of the current 6.1 inches.
Standard iPhone 17
The standard iPhone 17 will maintain a design very similar to the current iPhone 16 and will not see drastic changes in external form. In fact, most design rumors focus on the iPhone 17 Air and Pro models.
However, the iPhone 17 is expected to receive an increase in display size compared to the past. The screen size will grow from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, making it matching in size to the iPhone 16 Pro display.
Unlike the more expensive models, the standard iPhone 17 will not adopt the new rear camera design. Projections indicate it will continue with the same approach as the iPhone 16, featuring two rear cameras arranged vertically inside an oval-shaped bump in the corner of the device.
Ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air
Several reports confirm that Apple is working on an entirely new iPhone release for 2025 that primarily focuses on extreme thinness compared to current phones. This device will not merely be a replacement for the traditional “Plus” version we have grown accustomed to in past years, but an entirely new category bearing the name “Air” in line with Apple’s approach to naming thin and light devices.
Expected specifications for the iPhone 17 Air:
• Thickness: only about 5.5-6 mm (compared to 7.8 mm in the iPhone 16)
• Display size: 6.6-6.7 inches
• Display type: OLED with approximately 2796×1290 resolution
• Camera: single 48-megapixel rear camera
• Design: horizontal camera bar stretching across the width of the device
• Battery: about 2800 mAh
• Storage: 256GB and 512GB only
• Expected price: $899-$1299
The extremely thin design will require some adjustments to accommodate internal components. For example, prototype mockups show minor changes such as shifting the USB-C port at the bottom of the device so it is not positioned in the center of the frame in terms of depth, but rather closer to the rear side of the device.
Similarly, the number of speaker holes has been reduced to just two openings on either side of the port instead of the traditional five-hole pattern, likely to gain internal space.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro models will receive “major design changes” setting them apart from previous generations. One of the most prominent rumors in this context is that Apple will abandon the titanium frame used in the iPhone 15/16 Pro series and return to using aluminum for the frame once again.
New rear design:
Leaks indicate that the back of the iPhone 17 Pro phones will feature a dual-material design: the upper half of the back will be made of aluminum, while the lower half will remain glass to support wireless charging. This means a back that is half-metal and half-glass for the first time.
New camera design:
These changes will also be accompanied by an update to the rear camera module shape. Instead of the current square bump, Apple plans to adopt a “rectangular” bump with rounded edges made of aluminum instead of glass. The bump size will be larger than before and extend horizontally more noticeably.
iPhone 17 Pro models are also expected to be slightly thicker than their predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro. One leaked image of an iPhone 17 Pro Max mockup pointed to a thickness of around 8.7 mm compared to 8.25 mm in the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Display technologies and sizes
The iPhone 17 series will receive several display enhancements in terms of technology and features. All iPhone 17 phones, including the standard ones, are expected to adopt the ProMotion high refresh rate feature, which was exclusive to Pro versions in recent years.
Expected screen sizes:
• iPhone 17: 6.3 inches (instead of 6.1 inches)
• iPhone 17 Air: 6.6-6.7 inches
• iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3 inches
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9 inches
To achieve this, Apple will use LTPO OLED panels across all iPhone 17 devices. LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology allows for variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz with higher power efficiency.
Additionally, screen brightness may see an improvement. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are expected to use the same OLED panel found in the current iPhone 16 Pro (supplied by Samsung), which features a 30% increase in brightness and a longer lifespan compared to previous-generation displays.
Camera and photography upgrades
In the upcoming iPhone 17 series, Apple is working on important upgrades to imaging systems including sensor resolutions and new software features.
Front camera:
All four models will get a new 24-megapixel front camera instead of the current 12-megapixel camera. This is a major leap aimed at improving self-portrait and video quality through increased detail.
iPhone 17 Pro Max – the most powerful imaging package:
It will feature 3 cameras at 48 megapixels each: the Wide (main) 48MP lens, the Ultra Wide 48MP lens, and also the Telephoto 48MP lens of the Tetraprism type. This will be the first iPhone to come with three cameras that are all 48 megapixels.
iPhone 17 Pro:
It will get a similar lineup: a 48MP wide camera, 48MP ultra wide, and 48MP telephoto. However, there may be a difference in the optical zoom feature, as reports indicate the new 48MP lens might support only 3.5x zoom, which is lower than the 5x level found in the iPhone 15/16 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Air:
It will make do with a single rear camera handling both wide and telephoto duties. It is assumed to be a 48MP wide sensor, and through algorithms it can achieve acceptable digital/hybrid zoom quality.
Expected new features:
• Adjustable mechanical aperture in Pro models
• Dual video recording (using the front and rear cameras simultaneously)
• 8K video recording support on the iPhone 17 Pro Max
• Improvements in night photography and computational processing
Processor and performance
The iPhone 17 series is expected to pack a major performance leap thanks to the new A-series Apple silicon. The current A18 Pro chip (in the iPhone 16 Pro) will be succeeded by the A19 chip manufactured by TSMC.
Manufacturing technology:
Initial rumors indicated that Apple might transition to a 2-nanometer manufacturing architecture in this chip to achieve higher transistor density and better performance, but newer reports have denied this, suggesting that 2nm technology will be delayed until the iPhone 18 chip in 2026.
Instead, reliance on third-generation 3-nanometer technology improvements for manufacturing the A19 will continue. According to what is known about TSMC’s roadmap, the A19 is likely based on the enhanced N3P manufacturing process.
Chip distribution:
Apple will split the chips between models as usual: the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are expected to come with the more advanced A19 Pro chip, while the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will carry the standard A19 chip.
Cooling technology:
Reliable information indicates that iPhone 17 Pro models will adopt a new cooling technology relying on a vapor chamber instead of traditional heat pipes. The vapor chamber disperses heat more widely across the cooler.
Random Access Memory (RAM):
Several leaks from various sources indicate that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models will contain 12GB of RAM. It has also been rumored that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with 12GB of RAM like the Pro tier. As for the base iPhone 17, most sources indicate it will come with 8GB of RAM.
Battery and charging
Apple always focuses on improving battery life year after year, and the iPhone 17 series will be no exception.
Ease of replacement:
It is rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models will see an improvement in battery replaceability. Apple adopted a new battery attachment method in the iPhone 16/16 Plus via a special adhesive that can be dissolved using a low electrical current to facilitate removal.
Charging speeds:
The iPhone 17 series is expected to support wired charging speeds of up to 35 watts, which is nearly the same maximum charging capability as the current generation. As for wireless charging, an image of a new MagSafe charger supporting the Qi 2.2 standard was leaked, sparking speculation that the iPhone 17 will support this standard.
Battery enhancements:
There is a report that Apple is developing an AI-powered feature in iOS 19 to improve battery life by learning from your usage pattern and adjusting charging and discharging processes. Apple may also slightly increase battery capacities to compensate for new features.
Connectivity and ports
Wireless connectivity capabilities in the iPhone 17 series will witness an important technical leap, as Apple plans to rely more heavily on its internally designed components and newer technologies.
Apple-designed 5G modem:
For years, iPhones have relied on 4G/5G modem chips from Qualcomm. However, Apple has been working on developing its own modem for some time. Reports indicate that the iPhone 17 Air will be the first to use an Apple-designed 5G modem.
The Apple modem is characterized by being highly energy efficient and providing better battery life, though currently it might be slightly slower than the latest Qualcomm modems. According to leaks, the theoretical maximum download speed of Apple’s modem reaches 4 Gbps.
Dropping the SIM port in more countries:
Starting with the iPhone 14, Apple began removing the physical SIM card tray in iPhones sold inside the United States and relying solely on eSIM. It appears intent on expanding this trend with the iPhone 17. It has not yet been determined which countries will lose the traditional SIM tray, but at least there is confirmation that the iPhone 17 Air will arrive without a physical SIM port entirely in all versions due to its thin design.
Wi-Fi 7 with Apple chip:
All four iPhone 17 phones will support next-generation Wi-Fi 7 through a wireless connectivity chip also designed by Apple. As a reminder, Wi-Fi 7 provides very high speeds and can operate across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands simultaneously to achieve speeds exceeding 40 Gbps theoretically.
Wired ports:
Apple will continue adopting the USB-C port introduced in the iPhone 15 series. The iPhone 17 port is expected to have the same specifications as the current generation: supporting USB 3 with high transfer speeds (10 Gbps) on Pro models, and slower USB 2 on standard models.
Smart features and artificial intelligence
Apple has recently focused on introducing intelligent enhancements powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in its devices. With the iPhone 17 series and the accompanying iOS 19 release, there are expectations this trend will continue.
Unified iOS 19 system:
iOS 19 is likely to be unveiled at WWDC 2025 (June 2025) before the iPhone 17 launch. Early leaks indicate that Apple is working on a comprehensive redesign of the iOS interface in this version, aimed at making the iPhone, iPad, and Mac experience more consistent.
Artificial intelligence features:
Apple is heavily investing in what it calls Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI-enhanced on-device features. On the iPhone 16, Apple focused on certain smart services such as improving Siri in writing, and the emotion recognition feature in photos.
Upcoming Siri enhancements:
Apple has repeatedly promised a significant improvement in its personal assistant Siri’s capabilities via machine learning technologies. Part of these improvements were supposed to arrive with iOS 18, but Apple delayed their rollout last year. Consequently, they are expected to be included in iOS 19 alongside the iPhone 17.
On-device intelligence capabilities:
With RAM increased to 12GB in higher-end devices, Apple is opening the door to running larger machine learning models directly on the iPhone without needing the cloud. This boosts features like local image and video recognition, real-time language translation, and audio transcription.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Vision Pro integration:
Apple’s launch of the Vision Pro headset in 2024 means the iPhone 17 may benefit from integration or shared features with it. We might see mixed reality applications that use the iPhone’s capabilities as a controller or auxiliary camera for the VR headset.
Storage and expected pricing
It is too early to know the official pricing for the iPhone 17 series, but leaks give us an idea of general pricing trends and storage capacities.
Expected storage capacities:
• iPhone 17: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• iPhone 17 Air: 256GB, 512GB only (no 128GB)
• iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and perhaps 2TB
Expected pricing:
According to MacRumors, the iPhone 17 Air may cost around $899 (for the 256GB capacity). This is the same price as the current iPhone 16 Plus, making the iPhone 17 Air occupy a price bracket between the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro.
In this case:
• iPhone 17: about $799 (like the iPhone 16)
• iPhone 17 Air: about $899
• iPhone 17 Pro: about $999
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: about $1199
However, it is worth noting that some reports discuss the possibility of price hikes this year due to rising component costs and tariffs. Information surfaced from the Wall Street Journal stating that Apple is internally discussing the issue of raising prices for the iPhone 17 lineup, and may apply it slightly.
Launch date and release schedule
Apple is accustomed to launching new iPhones every September, and this tradition is expected to continue with the iPhone 17 series in September 2025.
Expected timeline:
• Official announcement: First or second week of September 2025
• Pre-orders begin: 3-4 days after the event
• Official release: Late September 2025 (about 10 days after the reveal)
Any changes to this schedule are unlikely unless Apple faces major production issues. So far, the news is reassuring: word is that Apple completed the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) phase for at least one iPhone 17 model by June 2025.
iPhone development goes through three testing stages: engineering (EVT), then design (DVT), then production validation (PVT). Reaching the EVT stage means the overall design is nearly finalized, and only minor internal details will change.
Apple will also likely announce iOS 19 at the Developers Conference in June 2025 and release beta versions of it, then launch the final version to the public in the week the iPhone 17 is released, matching the pattern of previous years.
Future vision beyond the iPhone 17
With all the aforementioned specifications and enhancements, the iPhone 17 series looks like an important turning point combining prominent design developments with powerful technical upgrades. But Apple does not stop there, as its plans extend beyond 2025.
What to expect in 2026-2027:
• In the iPhone 18 Pro (in 2026), Apple is expected to begin implementing under-display Face ID technology
• By 2027, Apple may reach its goal of producing an iPhone with a completely all-screen display without any cutout
• Also in 2026, the first foldable iPhone may see the light of day
• In the iPhone 18 Pro we might see variable aperture technology on the main camera
• Resolution increases may also continue: there are rumors about Apple working on an iPhone with a 200-megapixel main camera sensor
Overall, expectations are very positive regarding the iPhone 17; it will deliver a comprehensive upgrade in many ways rather than being limited to minor improvements. Last year, Apple focused with the iPhone 16 on highlighting new artificial intelligence features more than revolutionary hardware enhancements.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be a different shift that strongly refocuses on updating design and specifications alongside continued software development. And if Apple delivers the “Air” model as expected, it will be proof of its boldness in innovating new categories within the iPhone ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
1. When will the iPhone 17 series be launched?
It is expected to launch the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, following Apple’s usual pattern of announcing new phones during a special event in early September.
2. What are the expected models in the iPhone 17 series?
The series will feature four models: standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (ultra-thin), iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There will be no Plus model.
3. What is the iPhone 17 Air and what distinguishes it?
iPhone 17 Air is a new ultra-thin model with a thickness of about 6 mm, a 6.6-inch screen, and a single rear camera in a horizontal design. It will replace the canceled Plus model.
4. Will all iPhone 17 models support ProMotion technology?
Yes, for the first time all iPhone 17 models will support ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate, not just Pro models as in previous years.
5. What are the most prominent camera upgrades in the iPhone 17?
All models will get a 24-megapixel front camera, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will pack three rear cameras at 48 megapixels each, with 8K video recording support.
6. Will Apple use a custom-designed 5G modem?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the first to use an Apple-designed 5G modem instead of Qualcomm chips, providing better power efficiency.
7. What are the expected prices for the iPhone 17 series?
Approximate expected prices: iPhone 17 ($799), iPhone 17 Air ($899), iPhone 17 Pro ($999), iPhone 17 Pro Max ($1199), though they may see a slight increase.
8. What is new in iOS 19?
Accompanied by iOS 19, the iPhone 17 will feature a comprehensive interface redesign, major improvements to Siri, enhanced AI features, and better integration between Apple devices.
9. Will the SIM port be removed in the iPhone 17?
iPhone 17 Air will arrive without a physical SIM port and rely entirely on eSIM. Other models may see the port removed in more countries compared to the previous generation.
10. What materials are used to manufacture the iPhone 17 Pro?
Apple is expected to replace the titanium frame with an aluminum frame, featuring a dual-material back (half aluminum and half glass) and a new horizontal camera design.
