8 Things to Expect from the iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro Renders [Digital Chat Station / Weibo]
It's that time of the year, and Apple fans know it. September is the month when the tech giant usually holds its most anticipated product launch of the year, and this time it won't be any different.
Furthermore, if the reports are accurate, Apple is expected to unveil not only the iPhone 17 lineup but possibly a few more products at its next keynote, scheduled to take place on or around September 9, 2025.
Of course, for most of us, Apple included, the iPhone is the most important part of the presentation. We've already heard countless rumors about the new lineup, which includes the thinnest iPhone ever. Read on for everything we know about the new iPhone 17 lineup.
Four New iPhones, Including a Brand New Model
As has become tradition, Apple will announce four different iPhone 17 models. According to consistent reports, Apple is expected to unveil the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, the biggest announcements will be a brand new iPhone to replace the iPhone Plus that will reportedly be called the "iPhone 17 Air."
This marks the end of the Plus model, which replaced the iPhone mini a couple of years ago. However, most likely due to low sales, Apple is bringing a new name that emphasizes the design difference of the slimmer version.
Something Different: The iPhone 17 Air
Apple has often reserved the term "Air" for its lightest and thinnest devices, which is why the consensus is that the new model will be called the "iPhone 17 Air."
This new iPhone is expected to be one of the thinnest smartphones Apple has ever made. Leaks suggest it will come in at between 5.5 mm and 6 mm in thickness, which will definitely make it stand out from the other iPhone models.
This new form factor will give the new iPhone model a sleek profile, but it may come with a trade-off. Due to its smaller size, it is rumored that Apple will reduce the battery size and feature only a single-lens camera system on the back.
Needless to say, these compromises will probably make some people think twice before getting the slimmer iPhone 17 model. Still, an ultra-thin and lightweight iPhone, the first of its kind, will definitely catch the eye of many Apple fans.
Say Goodbye to Titanium
To support the thin design and offer something visually fresh, Apple is rumored to introduce new materials and colors across all the iPhone 17 models.
Some rumors suggest that Apple may ditch the titanium frame on the iPhone 17 Pro models and revert to aluminum. This change would mark a significant shift for Apple, as the company hasn't downgraded its materials since introducing stainless steel on the iPhone X.
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to feature a combination of aluminum and glass materials, which, in theory, should provide a harder, more durable body.
Inside the iPhone 17
Under the hood, all the iPhone 17 models will feature the fastest chip ever on an iPhone.
All models are expected to feature the new A19 chip. The iPhone 17 will have the base A19 chip, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will pack the more powerful A19 Pro chip. The "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to feature at least the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, but some reports suggest it could receive a scaled-down version of the A19 Pro instead.
Additionally, almost all iPhone 17 models will now feature 12 GB of RAM, which is a step up from the current 8 GB found in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Unfortunately, it's not all good news, as the regular iPhone 17 is rumored to keep the 8 GB of RAM this time around.
120 Hz ProMotion Comes to All iPhone 17 Models
This is some good news for those people who love high refresh rates in their displays. The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to feature high-refresh-rate screens across the board.
This means that all iPhone models will feature ProMotion, an Apple feature that automatically adjusts the device's refresh rate to 120Hz depending on how it is being used.
While this might not be a huge issue if you haven't experienced ProMotion, as soon as you see it for yourself, you'll probably want to stick with a screen that has a higher refresh rate.
ProMotion technology also powers the Always On display of the iPhone Pro family, but it's unclear if that will also be introduced to the base iPhone models.
Major Camera Upgrades
Camera upgrades are always a key feature of any new iPhone launch, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are no exception.
According to leaks from multiple sources, both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a 48 MP telephoto camera on the back, offering up to 5x optical zoom. Unfortunately, the base iPhone 17 will keep the same cameras on the back as the current iPhone 16.
As we mentioned, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to only have one camera on the back. If true, rumor has it that this will be a single 48 MP camera. You'll surely get some quality shots, but it might not be the best.
The good news is that all iPhone 17 models' front-facing camera will also receive an upgrade, increasing to 24 MP across all models, which will be a welcome change from the current 12 MP.
Speaking of cameras, Apple is also reportedly changing the appearance of the camera bump. Instead of the familiar square camera bump, the Pro models, as well as the iPhone 17 Air, could feature a horizontal rectangular bar stretching across the back of the phone to house the camera system, similar to what Google does with its Pixel phones.
New Vapor Chamber Cooling Technology
Another new feature that may be coming exclusively to the iPhone 17 Pro models is vapor chamber cooling technology.
This will allow the Pro models to disperse the heat from excessive use, making it easier to keep a steady performance for a longer time without any heating issues.
iPhone 17: Release Date and Price
Unfortunately, we aren't sure if Apple will increase the price of the iPhone 17 this time around. Some analysts have speculated that Apple might continue with the same pricing as the current models, which would be great news.
However, with the increasing manufacturing costs, as well as the possibility of tariffs and inflation, we might expect a slight price increase. Rumors suggest that Apple may increase the price of all iPhones by $50, which would mean the base iPhone would start at $850 instead of $800.
Of course, this is just speculation; we'll have to wait and see if Apple does increase the price once the event takes place. Speaking of which, we're all expecting Apple to hold its September keynote during the second week of the month.
Although there's no official date yet, invitations are expected to roll out sooner rather than later. So stay tuned.
Get Ready for the iPhone 17
As you can see, the iPhone 17 will feature several new enhancements this time around. Whether you want a better way to keep your iPhone cool, ProMotion on the base models, or the first-ever iPhone Air, this year will probably be worth the upgrade, especially if you have an older iPhone.
The best part is that we don't have to wait that long; Apple will reveal everything it has in store in just a couple of weeks.