Apple iPhone 17: Summary

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup was announced at Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, 2025, and includes a brand-new model: the iPhone Air, the slimmest iPhone ever, at just 5.6mm thick (the previous record was 6.9mm with the iPhone 6). 

Pre-orders started on September 12, 2025. iPhones will begin shipping on September 19, 2025. 

Pricing hasn’t changed for the iPhone 17, which starts at $799/£799 despite offering twice the storage at 256GB. iPhone Air costs $999/£999, which is $100/£100 more than the iPhone 16 Plus, and the same starting price as the iPhone 16 Pro. 

The iPhone 17 Pro now starts at $1,099/£1,099, but has double the storage at 256GB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is $1,199/£1,199, like its predecessor. 

All new phones are powered by variants of the A19 chip, offer camera upgrades front and back, improved screens, and better battery life. 

Apple revealed four new iPhones at its September 2025 Awe Dropping event. We not only saw the thinnest iPhone ever, but also the longest-lasting iPhone battery ever.

Apple’s newest phones are called the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air (it’s not the iPhone 17 Air). The Air is a brand new category of iPhone.

Apple’s new iPhones for 2025 will be available to pre-order on September 12, will ship starting September 19. Get the best deals.

All the new iPhones share variants of the A19 processor, with the iPhone 17 featuring the A19, while the three other handsets offer the more powerful A19 Pro.

The cameras have also had a boost across the range, with a new front-facing 18MP Center Stage camera for selfies and video calls. 

All the iPhones for 2025 offer Always-On and ProMotion displays, so 120Hz refresh rates are no longer the domain of the Pro models only. The new iPhone 17 lineup also includes significant internal and external changes and improved battery life across the range. 

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the new Apple iPhones for 2025, including the brand new iPhone Air. Read on to find out when the new iPhones will come out, the preorder and sale date, and the details of the design, camera, display specs, and lots more.

At a glance: What is new for the iPhone 17 series iPhone 17

Larger 6.3-inch screen, up from 6.1-inch on the iPhone 16. 

Available in Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, Black, and White with an aluminium frame. 

ProMotion and Always-On screen, just like the Pro models. 

Capable of 3,000 nits peak brightness and 1 nit minimum brightness. 

New Ceramic Shield 2 on the front is 3X more scratch-resistant. There is also an anti-reflective coating. 

Inside is an A19 chip with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. 

Includes N1 Apple’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. 

The 18MP Center Stage front camera features a new square sensor capable of taking photos in any orientation without requiring the user to rotate the phone.

Both rear cameras are now 48MP. Main camera integrates optical-quality 2x Telephoto and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, which captures up to 4x the resolution compared to the previous generation, according to Apple. 0.5, 1x and 2x optical zoom. Capable of macro photography.

Battery life is 30 hours (video playback), according to Apple. Eight more hours of video compared to the iPhone 16.

The entry-level model has 256GB of storage, double that of the previous generation for the same price. 

Starting from $799 for 256GB storage, 512GB storage is $999.

Thinnest iPhone to date at just 5.64mm (0.22in) thick. 

Available in Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, or Space Black with a titanium frame. 

6.5-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion and Always-On.

3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum brightness.

New Ceramic Shield 2 front for 3x better scratch resistance.

Ceramic Shield on the back for better durability than glass.

A19 Pro processor with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU.

18MP Center Stage front camera with a new square sensor capable of taking photos in any orientation.

One 48MP Fusion camera on the rear with 1x and 2x optical zoom.

Battery life is 27 hours (video playback).

Starting from $999 for 256GB storage, 512GB storage is $1,199, and 1TB is $1,399.

6.3-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion and Always-On.

Available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver with an aluminium frame.

3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum brightness.

Ceramic Shield 2 on the front for 3x better scratch resistance. Ceramic Shield on the back.

A19 Pro processor with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU.

Heat management via internal vapor chamber. 

18MP Center Stage front camera with square sensor.

Three 48MP Fusion cameras on the rear. 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom for the equivalent of eight lenses, according to Apple. Macro photography.

Video is Dolby Vision 4K at 120fps. With support for ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and Genlock.

Battery life is 33 hours of video playback.

Starting from $1,099 for 256GB storage, 512GB storage is $1,299, and 1TB is $1,499.

6.9-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion and Always-On.

Available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver with an aluminium frame.

3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum brightness.

Ceramic Shield 2 on the front for 3x better scratch resistance. Ceramic Shield on the back.

A19 Pro processor with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU.

Heat management via internal vapor chamber. 

18MP Center Stage front camera with square sensor.

Three 48MP Fusion cameras on the rear. 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom for the equivalent of eight lenses, according to Apple. Macro photography.

Video is Dolby Vision 4K at 120fps. With support for ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and Genlock.

Battery life is 37 hours of video playback.

Starting from $1,199 for 256GB storage, 512GB storage is $1,399, 1TB is $1,599, and 2TB is $1,999.

Read on for more detailed analysis of the new iPhone 17 colors, cameras, battery life, specs, and features, plus the iPhone 17 release date and pricing.

iPhone 17 series: Color, Design & Dimensions

iPhone Air is the thinnest ever iPhone at 5.6mm. Apple has focused on durability.

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are crafted from aluminium, while iPhone Air is titanium.

iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Air have Ceramic Shield front and back. iPhone 17 only has the Ceramic Shield on the front.

iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max have a vapor chamber to manage heat distribution.

Apple

The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made at just 5.6mm. Some may wonder why anyone needs an iPhone this thin, but thin is popular, as evidenced by the MacBook Air’s global popularity. One drawback of a thin device can be durability. The last time Apple made a thin iPhone (the iPhone 6 at 7.1mm), bendgate was the result. This time should be different with the iPhone Air, described by Apple as “the most durable iPhone ever.”

This durability is a result of various features. The iPhone Air is crafted from titanium. It has the new Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and a Ceramic Shield back. The new Ceramic Shield offers three times better scratch resistance and four times better crack resistance.

On the back of the iPhone Air is what Apple has started calling a plateau–it’s what we all used to refer to as the camera bump. The space inside this plateau is being used to house more than the camera, though. The plateau also houses the speaker and A19 chip, meaning there is more space for the battery. Apple is also saving space by removing the SIM-card slot, instead this iPhone is eSIM only.

Colors: Available in Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, or Space Black.

Dimensions: 156.2mm x 74.7mm x 5.64mm, 165g / 6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 in, 5.82oz. Shorter and narrower than the iPhone 16 Plus, which was 160.9mm x 77.8mm x 7.80mm, 199g / 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in, 7.03oz.

Screen size: 6.5-inch screen, which is smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7-inch, but larger than the iPhone 17.

Apple

The iPhone 17 retains a similar design to the iPhone 16, but that is deceptive. Place it beside the iPhone 16 and a big difference is apparent: the screen is larger. Now at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches. The iPhone 17 dimensions are slightly bigger than the older iPhone as well.

This year’s color choices are Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, Black, and White. We heard a lot of rumors about the iPhone 17 colors, and even received some Pantone color references said to match the new colors, some of which seem to be accurate.

Colors: Available in Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, Black, and White.

Dimensions: 149.6mm x 71.5mm x 7.95mm, 177g / 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in, 6.24oz.  That makes it larger than the iPhone 16, which was 147.6mm x 71.6mm x 7.80mm, 170g / 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in, 6oz.

Screen size: Larger screen size at 6.3 inches (iPhone 16 screen was 6.1 inches).

Apple

The iPhone 16 Pro was titanium, but for 2025, Apple has returned to aluminium because it delivers better thermal performance. The unibody case is brushed aluminium and comes in Deep Blue, Silver, and a very bright Cosmic Orange.

For the sake of durability, Apple has upgraded the Ceramic Shield and now has a Ceramic Shield 2 on the front. This new Ceramic Shield is tougher and offers three times better scratch resistance. There is also a Ceramic Shield on the back.

Screen sizes haven’t changed, although there are changes to the screen itself that we will go into in more detail below.

Apple has been busy on the inside of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, creating a vapor chamber that has deionised water sealed inside for cooling. Heat is thus drawn away from the A19 chip and distributed around the iPhone. The heat management should mean the iPhone can sustain high levels of performance for longer periods of time, which will matter if you play demanding games or shoot ProRes video.

The plateau (as Apple is now calling it) doesn’t just house the camera. Apple has placed other internal components inside it to make room for a larger battery. Additionally, the antennas are incorporated around the edge of the plateau, a move that Apple claims makes it “the highest-performing antenna system ever in an iPhone”. Hopefully, this will also mean Apple avoids another antennagate.

Colors: Deep Blue, Silver, Cosmic Orange.

Dimensions: 150.0mm x 71.9mm x 8.75mm, 206g / 5.91 x 2.83 x 0.34 in, 7.27oz. That is slightly longer, wider, and heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro, which was 149.6mm x 71.5mm x 8.25mm, 199g / 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 in, 7.03oz.

Screen size: 6.3-inch display, same as iPhone 16 Pro.

Colors: Deep Blue, Silver, Cosmic Orange.

Dimensions: 163mm x 78mm x 8.75mm, 233g / 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 in, 8.22oz; slightly wider and heavier than iPhone 16 Pro Max, which was 163mm x 77.6mm x 8.25mm, 227 / 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 in, 7.99oz.

Screen size: 6.9-inch display, same as iPhone 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 17 series: Cameras

All four new iPhone models feature a new 18MP front-facing Center Stage camera with a square sensor that is capable of taking photos in any orientation without requiring the user to rotate the phone.

All phones can record video from the front and back cameras simultaneously.

All rear cameras are updated to 48MP (default is 24MP though).

iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max cameras include 4x and 8x optical zoom.

The iPhone 17 series has brought several camera enhancements across all models, focusing on improved resolution and advanced telephoto capabilities.

All iPhone 17 models now feature an 18MP front-facing Center Stage camera. This is a substantial upgrade from the 12MP lens found in the iPhone 16. The new Center Stage camera uses a square sensor, which means users can take portrait or landscape photographs without having to reorient the phone. It uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone. 

The front camera also features ultra-stabilised video in 4K HDR. Plus, users can record on the front and rear cameras simultaneously with Dual Capture. Centre Stage will also keep video callers stable and positioned in the frame, even if they are holding the iPhone in their hand and moving around. 

The cameras on the rear of all the new iPhones offer 48MP, though 24MP is the default.

There are also new Photographic Styles across the range, including a new Bright style that brightens skin tones. There is also an updated Photonic Engine that uses machine learning to reduce noise and improve color accuracy.

Except for the various iterations of the iPhone SE and the iPhone 16e, every iPhone since the iPhone XS in 2018 has had at least two lenses on the back; in fact, the Pro models all have three cameras. So, Apple’s decision to offer only one camera on the rear of the iPhone Air seems strange.

However, it’s unlikely to be a huge limitation unless you are an avid photographer. The iPhone Air offers a single “Fusion” camera (26mm equivalent), but you can get a 2x telephoto effect with some digital wizardry that enables 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto (52mm equivalent). This system is similar to the 16e model. Unfortunately, the Air lacks the macro and spatial photography features available on the other iPhones. The optical zoom options are 1x and 2x.

Users can record in 4K at 60fps, Dolby Vision with Spatial Audio. Action mode, absent from the iPhone 16e, is available.

The 48MP main camera on the rear of the iPhone 17 incorporates an optical-quality 2x Telephoto, so Apple describes it as a Fusion camera, because it’s two in one. That aspect is the same on the iPhone Air. The Fusion camera on the iPhone 16 also offered 48MP, but Apple says the main camera on the rear of the iPhone is improved.

The iPhone 17 now gets a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, up from 12MP in 2024.

Unlike the Air, the iPhone 16 can ‘unzoom’ back to 0.5x, thanks to its inclusion of an ultra-wide lens. Zoom options are 0.5x, 1x, and 2x.

The best cameras are reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which feature three cameras on the rear. Those are a 48MP Main camera, a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, and a 48MP Telephoto.

The pro iPhones also get the option to zoom to 4x (100mm equivalent) or 8x (200mm equivalent) in addition to 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. The 8x zoom is the longest optical-quality zoom ever seen on an iPhone. Apple says it’s like having eight pro lenses.

The Pro iPhones offer pro photography features, such as ProRAW. There is also ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and Genlock (for synchronizing video) support for mobile filmmakers.

iPhone 17 specs and features

Pro Max is said to feature a 5,000mAh battery.

Improved heat dissipation and structural resistance in iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

Apple A19 chipset for iPhone 17, and A19 Pro for Air, Pro, and Pro Max.

RAM is said to be boosted to 12GB in Pro models.

Up to a 50 percent charge in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter, or 30 minutes with a 30W adapter.

G5, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread networking

iPhone 17: Up to 30 hours of video playback.

iPhone Air: Up to 27 hours of video playback.

iPhone 17 Pro: Up to 33 hours of video playback.

iPhone 17 Pro Max: Up to 39 hours of video playback.

Battery specs leaked from Chinese regulatory filings before the event in September 2025. If they are legitimate, across the range, the battery capacities have increased.

The iPhone 17 is said to have expanded from 3,561 mAh on the iPhone 16 to 3692 mAh on the 17 (that’s 4 percent more).

iPhone 17 Air’s capacity is low, but nowhere near as bad as expected. The iPhone 17 Air battery capacity was said to be around 2,800mAh, based on a leak from yeux1122. ShrimpApplePro says it will be 3,149 mAh.

The Pro’s battery capacity is up 19 percent.

The Pro Max is up 9 percent: from 4,685 mAh to 4823 mAh/5088 mAh, depending on the model.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max battery was expected to be around 5,000mAh, based on information from the Weibo account Instant Digital. This would be the biggest iPhone battery ever, and about 8% more capacity than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

It’s not only the high-end Pro models in the iPhone 17 line that get the A19 Pro; the iPhone Air does as well, although only 5-core GPU. The iPhone 17 runs on a standard A19.

As rumored, Apple is using a vapor chamber plate to distribute heat in the iPhone 17 Pro models.

iPhone 17 release date

New iPhone models for 2025 were unveiled on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Pre-orders started on Friday, September 12, 2025, with orders to start being delivered on September 19, 2025.

To go on sale at retailers on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Historically, preorders for the iPhone begin on the Friday after the announcement, and the phones ship a week later; the same is true in 2025.

Pre-orders on Apple’s website usually start at 5 a.m. PDT, 8 a.m. EDT, and 1 p.m. in the U.K. To be in with the best chance of being one of the first to get a new iPhone 17, read our article on how to preorder an iPhone.

iPhone 17 price

Similar pricing to the previous lineup, with slight adjustments related to storage allocation.

Prices depend on the handset you want to buy and the capacity. 

iPhone 17, 256GB is $799/£799 (same price as the 128GB iPhone 16); 512GB is $999. 

iPhone Air, 256GB is $999/£999, 512GB is $1,199, and 1TB is $1,399.

iPhone 17 Pro, 256GB is $1,099, 512GB is $1,299, and 1TB is $1,499.

iPhone 17 Pro Max, 256GB is $1,199, 512GB is $1,399, 1TB is $1,599, and 2TB is $1,999.

While it looks like prices are higher than the previous generation, when the storage allocation is taken into consideration, it is comparable. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro was $999 for 128GB, and $1,099 for 256GB; now the 128GB model has been removed from the lineup.

What of the iPhone 16e? Apple introduced the $599 iPhone 16e in February 2025, so it’s not yet been on sale for a year. There may be an iPhone 17e joining the line-up, but we think that this won’t happen until spring 2026. The price of the 16e remains at $599, and the new model is likely to be $599 for the iPhone 17e.

The following iPhones are still on sale:

iPhone 16e, 128GB: $599/£599 

iPhone 16, 128GB: Now $699/£699 (Was $799/£799)

iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB: Now: $799/£799 (Was $899/£899)

FAQ

1. When is iPhone 17 coming out?

iPhone 17 preorders started at 8 a,m. ET on September 12, 2025, with orders starting to arrive on September 19, 2025. The new iPhone is available in stores on September 19, 2025.

2. How much will iPhone 17 cost?

The iPhone 17 lineup starts at $799.

3. What will iPhone 17 look like?

The standard iPhone 17 looks very much like the iPhone 16, except it will come in new color options. The iPhone 17 Pro and Air models get a new “camera bar” design, in which the rectangular bump on the rear now stretches across the entire width of the iPhone. iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone to date and features a titanium frame to prevent it from bending.

4. What colors will iPhone 17 be available in?

The iPhone 17 comes in Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, or Black with an aluminium frame.

The iPhone Air comes in Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, or Space Black with a titanium frame.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max come in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver with an aluminium frame.

5. What are the iPhone 17 specs and features?

iPhone 17 features Apple’s new A19 processor, while the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and Pro Max get the A19 Pro.

6. What are the new iPhones called?

While Apple is moving its software naming convention in line with the year of release (affecting iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26), the same is not true of its hardware. The new iPhones are the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max variants. That’s correct: no 17 in the name of the Air.

iPhone history

The iPhone 17 range is the newest generation of models available from Apple. Below you can find links to our reviews of all iPhone models, including the latest generation. Learn more about all the new Apple products coming this year and when is the next Apple event. You might also want to check out our advice on when is the best time to buy a new iPhone, our iPhone buying guide, and our comparison of every iPhone that is available to buy today.

Original iPhone (2007) review

iPhone 3G (2008) review

iPhone 3GS (2009) review

iPhone 4 (2010) review

iPhone 4s (2011) review

iPhone 5 (2012) review

iPhone 5c (2013) review

iPhone 5s (2013) review

iPhone 6 (2014) review

iPhone 6 Plus (2014) review

iPhone 6s (2015) review

iPhone 6s Plus (2015) review

iPhone SE (1st generation; 2016) review

iPhone 7 (2016) review

iPhone 7 Plus (2016) review

iPhone 8 (2017) review

iPhone 8 Plus (2017) review

iPhone X (2017) review

iPhone XR (2018) review

iPhone XS (2018) review

iPhone XS Max (2018) review

iPhone 11 (2019) review

iPhone 11 Pro (2019) review

iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019) review

iPhone SE (2nd generation; 2020) review

iPhone 12 (2020) review

iPhone 12 Mini (2020) review

iPhone 12 Pro (2020) review

iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) review

iPhone 13 (2021) review

iPhone 13 mini (2021) review

iPhone 13 Pro (2021) review

iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) review

iPhone SE (3rd generation; 2022) review

iPhone 14 (2022) review

iPhone 14 Plus (2022) review

iPhone 14 Pro (2022) review

iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022) review

iPhone 15 (2023) review

iPhone 15 Plus (2023) review

iPhone 15 Pro (2023) review

iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) review

iPhone 16 & 16 Plus review

iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max review