iPhone 17: Latest news and rumors about each expected model

The iPhone 16 range has only recently launched at the time of writing, and yet there are already numerous alleged leaks about the iPhone 17 – some of which have surfaced before the latest Apple phones were launched.

Therefore, while we don’t expect the iPhone 17 and its siblings to launch until September 2025, we already have an idea of what to expect from these phones. These include camera upgrades, another new button, better screens and even an entirely new model.

Below are full details on every credible leak and rumor we’ve heard so far. We will update this article as soon as we learn anything new.

Let’s get down to business

What is that? The next flagship iPhone
When does it appear? Expected September 2025
How much will it cost? Likely starting at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399

A predictable release date

The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future)

Expected announcement in the first half of September
Could start at over $799 / £799 / AU$1,399

There are no rumors about the iPhone 17 release date yet, but we don’t really need them since Apple tends to follow a very predictable pattern.

Therefore, based on the data so far, we assume that the iPhone 17 will be announced in the first half of September 2025. Typically, Apple announces the device on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but with the iPhone 16, the company broke that pattern and used a Monday. So we’re not entirely sure about the exact day.

However, Apple more often uses the second week of the month, so the announcement could occur sometime between Monday September 8th and Friday September 12th, with September 8th, 9th or 10th most likely based on the days of the week, where Apple is usually on the go.

In any case, the phones will then likely go up for pre-order on the Friday of their announcement week (so probably Friday September 12th, or failing that, September 5th if our guesses are correct) and then ship the following Friday , which would probably be September 19th, but could also be September 12th.

As for the price, there’s only one leak so far for a new model, possibly called the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air (more on that below), but a report suggests that this slimmer iPhone 17 model will have one Could have a starting price of $1,299 (around £1,000 / AU$1,950).

However, we should take this with a grain of salt because that would be a higher price than the current top iPhone and some other leaks suggest that it would be closer to the midrange.

In any case, we can look at the previous prices to determine possible starting prices for the other models. The iPhone 16 then starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so successors to these models are likely to cost at least that much.

Can you trust these rumors?

We wouldn’t expect the price of the iPhone 17 Air to be as high as we’ve heard, as it’s more in the middle of the price range and as no other leaks have mentioned the price yet. However, the release date for all these phones will most likely be in September.

A new model

Test report for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus

We may not get a successor to the iPhone 16 Plus (Image credit: Future)

An iPhone 17 Air instead of a Plus model
Also expect an iPhone 17, an iPhone 17 Pro and an iPhone 17 Pro Max

You won’t be surprised to hear that we’re expecting an iPhone 17, an iPhone 17 Pro and an iPhone 17 Pro Max, but what about the iPhone 17 Plus? While that’s possible, several leaks suggest there could be a slimmer and more expensive iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim instead.

There’s also a chance we could see an iPhone 17 Ultra, either instead of or in addition to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This would be an ultra-premium model that would sit at the top of the price range. But that seems less likely since it’s not something that’s been leaked recently.

However, claims of an iPhone 17 Air have only come in relatively recently and from a number of reputable sources, so there’s a good chance we’ll see a super-slim iPhone in 2025.

Can you trust these rumors?

Numerous reputable sources have hinted at an iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, so we’re guessing that’s likely to emerge, although the actual name is less clear and we wouldn’t expect to see an iPhone 17 Ultra.

A new button

Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW

The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

A 120Hz screen for all four models
A new button instead of the action and volume buttons

We haven’t heard much about the design of the iPhone 17 series yet, but a leak suggests that these phones could have another new button – this time a single button that would replace the action button and both volume buttons.

Details on this possible button are limited, but it’s easy to imagine that it could work like the camera control button, allowing you to swipe to change the volume and press to launch an app or feature of your choice. Perhaps it would even accept both light and heavy pressure to bring different things to market.

And in a less likely leak, we’ve heard that Apple could add under-display Face ID to some or all iPhone 17 models.

We’ve also heard elsewhere that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a narrower Dynamic Island than the current model and that, unsurprisingly, it will have a titanium frame, while the other models will apparently have a “more complex” aluminum shell.

The same source also claims that the iPhone 17 will have a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch display, the iPhone 17 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display, and the iPhone 17 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display Max a 6.9 inch display. Inch one. So these are the same sizes as the iPhone 16 range, although rumor has it that the new Air model could have a slightly smaller screen than the Plus model it could replace.

However, there is some disagreement about the iPhone 17 Air’s screen size: leaker Ross Young claims it will be slightly smaller at 6.55 inches, while @UniverseIce says it’s expecting a 6.65-inch screen.

We’ve also heard that all four iPhone 17 models could have a 120Hz refresh rate and an always-on display. In fact, multiple sources have confirmed this, saying that the base iPhone 17 will feature a 120Hz refresh rate and an always-on screen like its Pro siblings.

So this wouldn’t be an upgrade for the Pro models, but it would be for the standard iPhone 17 and for the iPhone 17 Plus if we get such a phone.

Finally, we’ve heard that the iPhone 17 lineup’s screens may be made of a type of glass that’s harder to scratch and reduces reflections.

Can you trust these rumors?

It’s long overdue for Apple to equip all four models with 120 Hz screens. So we definitely hope this is true.

Talk of a new button is something we’re less sure about, only because only one source has mentioned it so far and that one has a mixed track record.

More megapixels

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

A new 48MP telephoto camera for the Pro models
New 24MP selfie cameras for all models

The iPhone 17 lineup could feature several significant camera upgrades, including a new 24MP front camera for each iPhone 17 model, up from 12MP on the current phones. It’s a claim that this source (Jeff Pu) has made numerous times.

The same source also points to a 48MP telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, up from the current 12MP. We also heard analyst Ming-Chi Kuo say something similar, although he wasn’t sure if both Pro models would get this or if only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would get a 48MP telephoto camera.

And leaker @UniverseIce has also said that the Pro models will feature a trio of 48MP cameras, meaning an upgrade for the telephoto camera but not – at least in terms of megapixels – for the main or ultra-wide cameras.

Finally, we’ve heard that Apple may be planning a mechanical shutter camera on at least one iPhone 17 series phone. This allows you to adjust the size of the aperture and therefore the depth of field.

Can you trust these rumors?

The front camera and telephoto camera seem like obvious upgrade options in the iPhone 17 lineup, as their megapixel counts are significantly lower than some other cameras. So there is a good chance that these leaks will prove to be accurate.

A burst of strength

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW

The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

A powerful new A19 Pro chipset
Up to 12GB RAM

A leak suggests that – unsurprisingly – the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a new A19 Pro chipset, and that the other models will have either an A18 or A19 chipset. The same source also says that 12GB of RAM is expected in the Pro models, up from 8GB currently, but that the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Slim will only have 8GB.

Another source has confirmed this, saying that an A19 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM are expected in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to reports, this chipset will be based on a new 3-nanometer manufacturing process, which could mean a big leap in performance.

However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, while the others will stick with 8GB, and that the Pro Max will also have an improved cooling system and exclusively “improved on-device” functions will have AI capabilities.”

Kuo also claims that the iPhone 17 series could use a lighter and thinner motherboard, which would leave room for other components or a larger battery.

There’s also a possibility that some or all iPhone 17 models will have Touch ID under the display, giving you both a fingerprint sensor and Face ID, but we doubt it.

Can you trust these rumors?

New chipsets are sure to hit the market, and we expect at least some models to be bumped up to 12GB of RAM, especially since that could help with AI.

However, we’d be quite surprised if Touch ID returned, even in under-display form.

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