The Apple iPhone 17 is poised to be a significant leap forward in smartphone technology. Expected to be officially announced on September 9, 2025, at Apple Park in Cupertino, and released on September 19, 2025, the iPhone 17 series is generating considerable buzz, with rumors of upgraded designs, enhanced performance, and potentially a new model joining the lineup.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to bring notable design changes, especially for the Pro and Pro Max models. While maintaining similar dimensions, these high-end devices may feature LTPO OLED panels at 6.3 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively, offering smoother refresh rates. A significant redesign to the rear of the phones could include a more prominent camera bump. The base iPhone 17 is expected to retain a familiar design, but with a larger 6.3-inch OLED display. The iPhone 17 Air may feature an ultra-thin design and a larger display, potentially becoming the slimmest iPhone to date. Some rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a larger 6.9-inch screen, while the Pro model could have a 6.3-inch screen. Both models might also have a new anti-reflective covering to improve scratch resistance and lessen glare. The devices should continue to use the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate for more explicit images.
All iPhone 17 models are expected to incorporate Apple's A19 chip, with the Pro versions potentially boasting the A19 Pro. These chips promise significant performance and efficiency improvements. The A19 chip, built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process, features a 6-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 5-core GPU. There's also an updated display engine, image signal processor, and a 16-core Apple Neural Engine. The iPhone 17 is also expected to have 8GB of RAM. Apple is exploring the use of generative AI to streamline and enhance the design of its custom silicon chips, which could lead to more efficient and powerful future chips.
Camera upgrades are also expected. The standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air are rumored to include a dual rear system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP secondary lens, while the Pro models may retain their 48MP setup with enhanced telephoto capabilities. All models are expected to feature a 24MP TrueDepth front camera. The iPhone 17 will feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens alongside the 48-megapixel Wide lens. The Ultra-Wide lens offers improved low-light performance and supports macro images. An upgraded 18-megapixel front-facing camera improves selfies and video calls.
The iPhone 17 will launch with iOS 26. Apple is planning a significant software overhaul for its iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems, aiming for a more consistent and user-friendly interface. The revamp, influenced by the Vision Pro's software, will update icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons, marking the biggest change to the iPhone since iOS 7 and the Mac since Big Sur.
To support these advancements, larger batteries and faster charging capabilities are anticipated across the iPhone 17 lineup. The batteries could be 4,252 mAh for the iPhone 17 Pro and 5,088mAh for the Pro Max. All the models in the iPhone 17 lineup could feature 45W MagSafe charging for faster top-ups.
