iPhone 17 lineup explained: Specs, price, release dates, and upgrades

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 lineup, marking one of the biggest updates to its smartphone family in years. The event introduced three new devices: the standard iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and the powerful iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, each designed with sharper displays, upgraded cameras, and faster chips. Alongside new hardware, Apple confirmed the release of iOS 26, which delivers a fresh look and expanded Apple Intelligence. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about specs, pricing, features, and how iPhone 17 compares to iPhone 16.

At a glance

• Three models: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max—each offering ProMotion displays, new materials, and updated internals. (iPhone 17 news, iPhone Air news, iPhone 17 Pro news)
• Pre-order and launch dates: Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, at 5 a.m. PT; available in 63+ countries starting Friday, September 19, with more regions joining on September 26.
• iOS 26 release: Launches Monday, September 15, featuring a refreshed UI and expanded Apple Intelligence features. (iOS 26 preview)
• U.S. pricing: iPhone 17 from $799 (256 GB), iPhone Air from $999, iPhone 17 Pro from $1,099, and Pro Max from $1,199.
• Standard storage: Base models start at 256 GB, with Air and Pro options up to 1 TB, and Pro Max reaching 2 TB.
• Pro-grade creator tools: iPhone 17 Pro/Max supports ProRes RAW, genlock, and Live MultiCam workflows via Final Cut Camera 2.0. (Final Cut Camera 2.0 announcement)
• Lineup change: Apple drops Plus and introduces iPhone Air; the base iPhone 17 gains a 6.3-inch 120 Hz ProMotion display. The Verge

Lineup overview

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup introduces three distinct models designed to serve different needs:

• iPhone 17 – The classic choice with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, now upgraded to 120 Hz ProMotion and 3,000 nits peak brightness.
• iPhone Air – Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone ever at just 5.6 mm, built with a polished titanium frame and a 6.5-inch display.
• iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max – A forged aluminum unibody with advanced vapor-chamber cooling, plus Apple’s most powerful Pro Fusion camera system with up to 8× optical zoom.

Pricing and availability

The iPhone 17 starts at $799 and is available in 256 GB and 512 GB storage options. Buyers can choose from five colours: Black, Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, and White.

The new iPhone Air comes in slightly higher, starting at $999. It offers 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB storage choices and is finished in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue.

For those wanting maximum performance, the iPhone 17 Pro begins at $1,099 and comes in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB capacities. Colour options include Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, and Silver.

At the very top of the lineup, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199. It mirrors the Pro’s colour range but expands storage up to 2 TB, in addition to 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB.

All four models open for pre-order on September 12 and will be available on September 19 in the first wave of regions, followed by a wider rollout on September 26.

Ways to save: Through Apple Trade In, Apple lists typical credits for recent models and highlights additional carrier offers (up to four-figure credits toward Pro in the U.S.). Check your local Apple Store page for eligible devices and carriers.

iPhone 17: What’s new

Apple’s standard iPhone finally feels like a premium device. The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display now supports ProMotion at up to 120 Hz, delivering smoother scrolling and animations. It reaches a peak of 3,000 nits, making it Apple’s brightest non-Pro screen yet, while new anti-reflective coatings cut glare by 33%. Protection comes from the updated Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims is three times more scratch-resistant.

On the camera front, the base iPhone now gets a 48 MP dual system. The Fusion Main sensor offers optical-quality 2× zoom, while the new Fusion Ultra Wide brings sharper low-light performance. A default 24 MP output balances detail and file size. The front camera also got a major upgrade: an 18 MP Center Stage sensor that automatically reframes shots, even allowing landscape selfies without rotating the phone.

Powered by the A19 chip, iPhone 17 offers all-day battery life with up to 30 hours of video playback, and it charges to 50% in around 20 minutes with a compatible charger. Sleeker bezels, contoured edges, and five fresh colors round out the design.

iPhone Air: Sleek and powerful

The iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.6 mm and weighing around 165 g. It’s built from a polished titanium frame with a mirrored back that makes it feel more like a piece of jewelry than a phone. Durability is enhanced with Ceramic Shield glass on both sides—three times more scratch-resistant on the front and four times more crack-resistant on the back.

It features a 6.5-inch ProMotion OLED display with the same 3,000-nit brightness as the Pro models, making outdoor visibility excellent. Inside, the Air runs on the A19 Pro chip, paired with Apple’s new N1 wireless chip (supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread) and a C1X modem for efficient cellular performance.

The camera system includes a 48 MP Fusion Main sensor with 2× optical zoom and the same 18 MP Center Stage selfie camera as the rest of the lineup. Despite its slim build, Apple says the Air achieves up to 27 hours of video playback and charges to 50% in about 30 minutes.

iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max: Performance redefined

For professionals and enthusiasts, Apple redesigned its flagship Pro models with a forged aluminum unibody and a new vapor-chamber cooling system that helps sustain performance during gaming, video capture, and AI workloads. Both the 6.3-inch Pro and 6.9-inch Pro Max models feature Super Retina XDR OLED displays with ProMotion, 3,000-nit brightness, and Apple’s most advanced anti-reflective coating yet.

The 48 MP Pro Fusion camera system spans Main, Ultra Wide, and an all-new Telephoto. Apple claims up to 8× optical-quality zoom, reaching an equivalent 200 mm focal length, while 4K120 Dolby Vision video sets a new bar for mobile cinematography. Paired with Final Cut Camera 2.0, the Pro models also enable ProRes RAW recording, genlock support, and Live MultiCam workflows with Final Cut Pro for iPad.

Battery life is equally impressive: the Pro Max delivers up to 39 hours of video playback and can recharge to 50% in roughly 20 minutes.

Performance, battery, and cooling

Across the lineup, Apple has split performance between the A19 chip in the standard iPhone 17 and the more powerful A19 Pro in the Air and Pro models. The Pro variants also include enhanced neural processing, making them better equipped for on-device AI and creative workloads.

Battery life has improved across the board: the iPhone 17 promises up to 30 hours of video playback, the Air delivers around 27 hours, and the Pro Max tops the range with an impressive 39 hours. Charging is fast too, with the iPhone 17 and Pro hitting 50% in about 20 minutes, while the slimmer Air takes around 30 minutes to reach the same mark.

To keep all that power cool, the Pro models introduce a vapor-chamber cooling system. This design helps sustain peak performance even during demanding gaming sessions, extended video shoots, or when running Apple Intelligence tasks.

Connectivity and eSIM

All iPhone 17 models ship with USB-C ports and Apple’s new N1 wireless chip, which adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support for faster and more reliable connections. The iPhone Air also includes a C1X modem for extra cellular efficiency.

Apple continues its shift toward digital SIMs: the iPhone Air is fully eSIM-only, while the Pro models have eSIM-only variants in select regions. This design decision frees up internal space while streamlining carrier setup.

iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence

Launching on September 15, iOS 26 brings a refreshed interface with smoother animations and new design polish. It expands Apple Intelligence, adding features like Live Translation, context-aware suggestions, and smarter app integrations.

Apple notes that some AI functions and languages will roll out gradually, so availability may vary by region at launch.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16

The differences between this year’s lineup and last year’s iPhone 16 family are significant. The display now features ProMotion 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, compared to 60 Hz and 2,000 nits on iPhone 16. The cameras step up too: iPhone 17 brings all 48 MP sensors on the back, versus the 16’s 48 MP main + 12 MP ultra-wide.

The front camera has been upgraded from 12 MP to an 18 MP Center Stage system, while base storage doubles from 128 GB on iPhone 16 to 256 GB on iPhone 17. Battery life also sees a leap, with the new model offering up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 22–27 hours on last year’s lineup.

Who should upgrade

If you’re using an iPhone 15 or earlier, the iPhone 17 lineup is a no-brainer: ProMotion, brighter displays, higher-resolution cameras, better battery life, and doubled storage all add up to a major step forward.

Owners of the iPhone 16 will notice more incremental gains, but they’re meaningful. The smoother 120 Hz display and upgraded selfie camera alone could make the upgrade worthwhile, while the new iPhone Air offers a unique proposition for anyone wanting a lighter, ultra-thin big-screen phone.

For content creators and professionals, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are unmatched. With 8× optical-quality zoom, ProRes RAW recording, genlock support, and Live MultiCam workflows via Final Cut Pro, they’re the most capable iPhones ever built for serious production.

FAQ

When can I buy the iPhone 17?
Pre-orders open on September 12, with the first shipments arriving on September 19. Apple has confirmed that additional regions will follow on September 26, so global availability should expand quickly.

How much does the iPhone 17 cost?
In the U.S., pricing starts at $799 for the iPhone 17, $999 for the iPhone Air, $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro, and $1,199 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Does the base iPhone 17 include ProMotion?
Yes. For the first time, the standard iPhone gets a 120 Hz ProMotion display, bringing the same smooth scrolling and responsiveness that used to be reserved for Pro models.

How thin is the iPhone Air?
At just 5.6 mm, the iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made. Despite its slim profile, it still packs pro-level hardware and battery life.

How powerful is the Pro Zoom?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a 48 MP Pro Fusion camera system with up to 8× optical-quality zoom, equivalent to a 200 mm focal length—the longest zoom ever on an iPhone.

When will iOS 26 be released?
Apple will release iOS 26 on September 15. It includes a refreshed design, new Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation, and smarter suggestions tailored for iPhone 17 hardware.