The anticipation is building as we approach the expected launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 range in just a few weeks. Industry whispers suggest an unveiling around the 9th of September, and the rumour mill is working overtime, hinting at what could be Apple’s most significant design overhaul in years. It’s suggested that all four iPhone 17 models are in line for a radical redesign, with the Pro models possibly sporting a distinctive horizontal camera bar.
But the changes don’t stop there. Recent speculation has provided further clues about the pricing of the iPhone 17, alongside reports that the Pro model might feature an Apple Watch Ultra-inspired antenna for enhanced 5G connectivity. There’s even talk of an ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, potentially measuring a mere 5.5mm thick, utilising silicon-anode battery technology to compensate for its slender profile.
With the possibility of a foldable iPhone further down the line, the imminent arrival of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Air is keenly awaited. Here’s a breakdown of what we currently know, from the potential release date to the rumoured design features.
Release Date Speculation
Predicting Apple’s iPhone launch dates has become something of a tradition. The tech giant typically hosts its major iPhone launch event in September, usually during the second week, and often on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. To illustrate, the iPhone 16 was revealed on Monday, September 9th, 2024, the iPhone 15 on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, the iPhone 14 on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022, and the iPhone 13 on Tuesday, September 14th, 2021.
A well-known industry analyst has suggested that the iPhone 17 keynote will take place during the week commencing Monday, September 8th, following the Labour Day holiday in the US – a common window for Apple announcements. While Monday the 8th remains a possibility, Tuesday the 9th or Wednesday the 10th are considered more probable.
Adding further weight to this prediction, a German tech website has indicated that all four iPhone 17 models, including the iPhone 17 Air, will be unveiled on Tuesday, September 9th. The report suggests that the handsets will then be available the following week, on Friday, September 19th, with pre-orders likely commencing on Friday, September 12th. While these details should be treated with a degree of caution, they align with current expectations.
Potential Price Points
Pricing speculations surrounding new iPhones are notoriously unreliable. Each year, analysts predict price increases, but Apple often maintains existing price levels. However, this trend might change in 2025.
Geopolitical factors could also play a role. The possibility of tariffs on iPhones manufactured outside of the US could impact global pricing when the iPhone 17 launches.
There have been suggestions that Apple intends to increase iPhone prices this September, attributing the increase to new features and design changes rather than tariffs, in an effort to avoid political controversy.
One source indicates that the iPhone 17 Pro could see a price increase of $50 to $1,050 in the US, but with a doubled base storage of 256GB, effectively eliminating the 128GB entry-level option. Another analyst has stated that iPhone 17 models will likely be more expensive than the iPhone 16 range due to US tariffs on devices assembled abroad.
Another analyst has suggested that Apple is expected to increase the price of every iPhone 17 model by $50 to offset tariffs and component costs. This would apply to the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
However, some reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air, expected to replace the Plus model, will be priced similarly to the iPhone 16 Plus, at $899 in the US and £899 in the UK. The actual pricing remains to be seen.
Design and Display Rumours
One rumour suggests that Apple is prototyping an iPhone with the volume and action buttons combined into a single, unified button, potentially functioning similarly to the capacitive camera control button on the iPhone 16 Pro.
The most significant design change is expected to be the iPhone 17 Air. It’s suggested that this model could be incredibly thin, possibly only 5.5mm thick, making it the slimmest iPhone ever released.
It is also rumoured that it will feature a single 48MP rear camera in a new horizontal, pill-shaped camera bar. Unusually, the device is also expected to feature a USB-C port that’s slightly off-centre to accommodate the slimmer chassis. The iPhone 17 Air is also tipped to have a 6.6in OLED display with ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and Face ID.
A prototype of the iPhone 17 Pro has been spotted, showing the rumoured horizontal camera bar.
As for the rest of the range, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro could use a complex aluminium design instead of the titanium frame found on the 16 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, however, might retain the titanium frame.
Another report suggests that all four handsets will have an aluminium frame. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also reportedly feature an aluminium upper back half, with a glass bottom half, as wireless charging doesn’t work with a metal rear. Apple is also said to be testing reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge AirPods and other accessories wirelessly.
There will also be a larger rectangular camera bump, making the 17 Pro look more like a certain popular Android handset.
With the exception of the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 lineup may feature the same display dimensions as the iPhone 16. This would mean a 6.1in display for the iPhone 17, a 6.3in display for the iPhone 17 Pro, and a 6.9in display for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 displays could be more scratch-resistant and have a more anti-reflective coating.
The non-Pro models might also receive the Pro’s always-on display and ProMotion LPTO technology, enabling a dynamic refresh rate.
Apple is also reportedly planning to reposition the Apple logo lower on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro to accommodate the new full-width camera bar.
Colour Options
Apple is reportedly testing a new sky blue colourway for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. However, this finish now appears to have been reallocated to the iPhone 17 Air, reflecting a more muted palette.
Apple is also testing pastel purple and green colours for the base iPhone 17 models.
The base iPhone 17 is expected to launch in black and white, carried over from the iPhone 16, as well as steel grey, light blue, green, and purple.
The iPhone 17 Air will also come in black and white, alongside a paler sky blue and a soft gold finish. The blue is reportedly even lighter than the standard model’s, while the gold is described as a creamier take on a previous finish.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumoured to come in black, white, grey (similar to natural titanium), a dark navy blue, and a vibrant orange, inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra’s action button.
Apple is expected to switch from titanium to aluminium frames for the new Pro models, which may subtly affect the appearance of certain colours.
Technical Specifications
All iPhone 17 models are expected to feature an A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max will get an upgraded A19 Pro chipset. All four phones are also rumoured to ship with 12GB of RAM, a step up from the 8GB found in the iPhone 16 Pro, to support future features.
The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly include Apple’s own C1 modem and won’t have a SIM tray, even outside the US. Wi-Fi 7 support is expected across the entire range. The Pro models could also feature a new vapour chamber cooling system for better heat dissipation.
The iPhone 17 Pro range is rumoured to gain an Apple Watch Ultra-style antenna that will wrap around the rear camera bump, improving 5G signal strength and mmWave stability.
Camera Capabilities
All four iPhone 17 models are tipped to feature a 24MP front-facing camera, an upgrade from the 12MP front-facing camera on the iPhone 16. The iPhone 17 Pro could feature a 48MP telephoto snapper with 3.5x optical zoom and a redesigned triple camera array that runs horizontally across the rear.
The Pro models may also gain a new video recording feature allowing users to capture footage from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously, with the option to overlay a selfie shot over outward-facing footage.
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to feature a triple camera system placed horizontally across the top. The base iPhone 17 will stick to its two vertical cameras, and the iPhone 17 Air will feature just one single 48MP camera.
Apple plans to emphasise improved video recording this year to better appeal to creators and vloggers.
The iPhone 17 Pro could receive an upgraded Telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom, a notable jump from the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x. The lens might support continuous optical zoom across focal lengths by physically shifting position. Apple is also reportedly working on a new pro camera app designed to rival third-party tools, though it’s unclear if it will be exclusive to the Pro models.
A second dedicated camera control button may be added to the top edge of the iPhone 17, complementing the existing one on the side.
Battery Performance
Despite the iPhone 17 Air’s thinner design, its battery life is expected to be “on par with current iPhones,” likely referring to the entry-level iPhone 16.
This will be achieved through hardware and software optimisations, including Apple’s C1 modem, a higher-density battery, and the removal of an ultrawide camera, freeing up space inside the phone.
However, the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin design might come at a cost to battery life, with only 60 to 70 per cent of users expected to make it through a full day without recharging, a drop compared to the 80 to 90 per cent average seen on other models. With a smaller battery, Apple may offer a dedicated battery case as an optional accessory.
The iPhone 17 Air could adopt a new silicon-anode battery, potentially extending battery life despite the smaller physical footprint.
Apple is also testing reverse wireless charging for the iPhone 17 line-up, allowing users to charge AirPods and other accessories by placing them on the back of the phone.