Apple’s new iPhone 17 might be its biggest leap yet. Rumors hint at major design changes and powerful upgrades. The iPhone 17 series could even introduce a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air model. Excitement is high as tech enthusiasts chase every leak. Here’s everything we know so far about Apple’s upcoming flagship, based on the latest iPhone 17 rumors and credible leaks.
iPhone 17 Release Date: When Will It Come Out?
Apple typically launches new iPhones in September, and this year is no different. The company has a product event set for September 9, 2025, where the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to debut. If Apple follows its usual schedule, pre-orders will start on Friday of that week (September 12) and the iPhone 17 launch date for retail should be one week later.
In other words, the iPhone 17 release date is likely around Friday, September 19, 2025. This is when customers in the US (and many other countries) could get their hands on Apple’s new iPhone. The timing answers the big question: when will iPhone 17 come out? And all signs point to mid-September 2025 for the Apple 17 series rollout.
iPhone 17 Design and Display Changes
The iPhone 17 design is expected to bring noticeable changes. Leaked info suggests Apple might revamp the rear camera layout, possibly switching to a horizontal camera bump instead of the usual square module. In front, the display could get a bit bigger the standard iPhone 17 may increase to a 6.3‑inch screen (up from 6.1 inches on iPhone 16).
Despite the larger display, the phone’s bezels might shrink, and there’s talk that the Dynamic Island (the pill-shaped screen cutout) could become smaller on at least some models. All iPhone 17 models are expected to finally receive 120Hz ProMotion displays for smoother scrolling and an always-on display feature.
Apple has reserved high refresh rate screens for Pro models until now, so bringing ProMotion to the entire iPhone 17 lineup would be a big upgrade. In terms of build materials, some rumors claim the Pro variants might use a new hybrid frame, possibly mixing aluminum and glass for better durability instead of the titanium used on the iPhone 16 Pro. Overall, the Apple 17 generation is shaping up to deliver the most significant design refresh since the iPhone X era.
iPhone 17 Air: A New Ultra-Thin Model
Apple is reportedly introducing an entirely new model this year called the iPhone 17 Air. This device is all about a slim and light design. According to leaks, the Apple iPhone 17 Air will feature a roughly 6.6‑inch display and an incredibly thin chassis, around 5.5 mm thick.
For comparison, recent iPhones are about 7.8 mm thick, so the 17 Air could be one of the thinnest smartphones on the market. This ultra-thin build means there won’t be an iPhone 17 Plus; Apple is essentially replacing the previous “Plus” model with this new Air variant.
The iPhone 17 Air is positioned as a mid-tier option and it is priced between the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro models. Despite some early rumors that it could be a super-premium device, insiders now say it will be cheaper than an iPhone 17 Pro Max but a bit more expensive than the base iPhone 17.
To achieve its slim profile, the iPhone 17 Air may make a few sacrifices. Leaked specs indicate it might carry only a single rear camera (a 48MP main lens) instead of the dual cameras typical on regular models. Its battery capacity is also rumored to be significantly lower than the old iPhone 16 Plus it effectively replaces, simply because a thinner phone has less room for a huge battery.
On the plus side, the 17 Air is expected to use Apple’s new in-house modem chip for 5G (the C1 modem), which was designed to be more power-efficient. That could help offset the smaller battery by extending battery life through efficiency.
Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a compelling choice for those who value a big display in an ultra-thin, lightweight form factor.
New iPhone 17 Pro details, via @theinformation ‼️
— AppleTrack (@appltrack) November 26, 2024
👀 Most significant redesign in years
🆕 Aluminum frame on all models
📷 Rectangular aluminum camera bump
⚡ Partly glass back for wireless charging pic.twitter.com/JjImhsb1zY
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: High-End Upgrades
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to pack the most advanced features of this lineup.
Camera Upgrades
Camera upgrades will be a headline change. Leaks say the Pro models will feature an upgraded 48MP telephoto lens which makes all three rear cameras 48 megapixels each for the first time.
This enhanced telephoto camera could enable up to 8× optical zoom on the Pro iPhones which is a big jump from the 5× zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro. In practical terms, zoomed-in shots will look sharper and capture more detail without resorting to digital zoom.
The larger camera hardware might explain why early photos of iPhone 17 Pro dummies showed a noticeably bigger camera bump on the back.
Smaller Dynamic Island on Pro Max
The 17 Pro Max model is also rumored to get a smaller Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the display due to the new compact Face ID sensor technology. In other words, the little pill-shaped notch may shrink on the Pro Max, which provides users a bit more screen real estate up top.
A19 Bionic Chip and RAM
Under the hood, the Pro series is getting a performance boost. The expectation is for a new A19 Bionic chip to power the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which can deliver faster speeds and improved efficiency over last year’s chips.
Some sources even claim the Pro models will jump to 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB, to further improve multitasking and handle new AI-powered features.
Vapor Chamber Cooling
To keep this high-end hardware cool, Apple is reportedly adding a vapor chamber cooling system in the Pro devices. This technology spreads heat more evenly, which should prevent the phones from overheating or throttling during intense tasks (like gaming or 4K video recording).
Connectivity and Reverse Charging
The Pro iPhones are also set to be on the cutting edge of connectivity. They are likely to include Apple’s first Wi‑Fi 7 wireless chip for faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency. Another rumor says the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might support reverse wireless charging, which allows you to charge accessories (like AirPods or an Apple Watch) by placing them on the back of the phone.
Battery Upgrade for iPhone 17 Pro Max
Battery life should see an improvement on the Pro Max especially. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is reportedly getting a bit thicker (around 0.5 mm added to its depth) to accommodate a larger battery. One leak even suggests the Pro Max’s battery could exceed 5,000 mAh, which would be the first time an iPhone has gone above that threshold.
For context, the iPhone 16 Pro Max had about a 4,685 mAh battery, so crossing 5,000 mAh would mark a new milestone in battery capacity for Apple. Despite that bigger battery, the charging might also get quicker with support for the new Qi2 wireless charging standard up to 25W, if rumors hold true.
Storage Options Starting at 256GB
Finally, storage options on the Pro models could start higher this year. There’s talk that the iPhone 17 Pro will come with a minimum of 256GB storage (instead of 128GB), effectively doubling the base storage tier. This change, if it happens, might come alongside a small price increase, but it would give Pro users more room for photos, videos, and apps by default.
Conclusion: What to Expect from Apple’s New iPhone
All the iPhone 17 leaks and rumors paint a picture of a significant upgrade over the previous generation. Apple appears to be pulling out all the stops, introducing a new model (the 17 Air), boosting display tech, camera capabilities, and possibly even battery life in a big way.
Of course, not every rumor will turn out to be true, but the consistent reports from credible sources (like Bloomberg and industry analysts) give us confidence in many of these details.
The Apple new iPhone launch event on September 9 will be the moment of truth. On that day, we’ll finally see which features Apple confirms and how the iPhone 17 series matches the rumors.
If even most of these predictions are accurate, the iPhone 17 lineup could be one of Apple’s most exciting releases in years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the iPhone 17 be released?
The iPhone 17 is expected to be released in September 2025, following Apple’s usual annual release schedule.
2. What new features can we expect in the iPhone 17?
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 will feature a more advanced A18 chip, enhanced camera capabilities, and potential design updates.
3. Will the iPhone 17 have a USB-C port?
Several rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 will switch to a USB-C port for faster charging and improved compatibility with other devices, in line with EU regulations.
4. How much will the iPhone 17 cost?
While pricing hasn’t been confirmed, it’s expected that the iPhone 17 will start at around $799 for the base model, similar to previous iPhone launches.
5. Will the iPhone 17 have 5G support?
Yes, the iPhone 17 is expected to support advanced 5G connectivity, providing faster internet speeds and enhanced network performance.
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