Apple’s September event is fast approaching, and all eyes are locked on the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. If the leaks and industry whispers prove accurate, 2025’s flagship iPhones will represent the most significant changes to Apple’s smartphone family since the debut of the iPhone X. The reveal is tipped for September 9, with pre-orders beginning September 12 and the official release on September 19, putting us just weeks away from learning exactly what Apple has in store.
This year, Apple is expected to introduce four devices: the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an all-new iPhone 17 Air. The Air will reportedly replace the Plus model, slimming the lineup without losing variety. Early reports suggest that the Pro model will see a price increase of $50, but that hike will be offset by a doubling of base storage to 256 GB. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to debut at around $900, positioning it as a sleek and more premium-feeling alternative to the base model without reaching Pro-level pricing.
From a design perspective, Apple may finally be ready to move away from the flat-edged look it has used since 2020. Several sources claim the iPhone 17 family could return to slightly curved edges for a more comfortable grip, possibly applied across all models or reserved for certain tiers. Camera aesthetics may also change significantly. Instead of the square camera bump Apple has used for years, the rear lenses could be arranged in a horizontal camera bar stretching across the phone’s width, a design choice reminiscent of Google’s Pixel series. The Pro models are still expected to use titanium frames, but the Air and base models may opt for a titanium–aluminum blend to keep weight down. The iPhone 17 Air will stand out most for its thinness — reportedly 25 percent slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro — with a minimalist single rear camera and an extremely light build.
The displays are set for a major upgrade. For the first time, every iPhone 17 model may feature an LTPO OLED panel with a 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate and always-on display capabilities. This would be a welcome shift for base model users who have been stuck at 60 Hz for years. An anti-reflective coating is also rumored, making the screen easier to read in bright outdoor conditions and more resistant to scratches. Screen sizes may shift slightly, with the base iPhone 17 increasing to 6.3 inches, the Air measuring roughly 6.6 inches, the Pro staying at 6.3 inches, and the Pro Max retaining its massive 6.9-inch display.
Under the hood, Apple’s new A19 chip family is expected to power the lineup. The base iPhone 17 should use the standard A19, while the Air will reportedly carry an A19 Pro with one GPU core disabled. The Pro and Pro Max will get the full A19 Pro, built on an improved 3nm process for better performance and efficiency. RAM configurations may vary, with the 17 and Air shipping with 8 GB, the Pro potentially having either 8 or 12 GB depending on the source, and the Pro Max most likely equipped with 12 GB. Apple’s gradual move to in-house 5G modems could begin with this generation, though most models will still rely on Qualcomm hardware for now.
Cameras will see some of the biggest changes. All four models are expected to feature a vastly improved front-facing camera, jumping from 12 MP to 24 MP for sharper selfies and video calls. On the rear, the Pro Max is tipped to lead with a triple 48 MP setup — wide, ultrawide, and telephoto — with optical zoom increasing from 5x to 8x. The smaller Pro may match this or retain a 12 MP telephoto lens; leaks have yet to agree. The base iPhone 17 will stick with a dual-lens system, while the Air will go for a streamlined single 48 MP lens to keep its profile ultra-thin. One standout rumor hints that at least one model could introduce a mechanical variable aperture system, giving users more control over depth of field — a first for iPhones.
Battery life improvements will come mostly from the A19’s efficiency gains rather than larger cells, though the Air’s ultra-slim design may limit its capacity due to a 2.49 mm thin battery. Apple’s newer adhesive release method, which uses a low-voltage current to make battery removal easier, is likely to roll out across the entire range, making future replacements far less painful.
Color choices may also expand, particularly for the Pro models. In addition to Apple’s usual neutral tones, leaks suggest richer options like dark green, teal, and a classic green could make an appearance, alongside a shade borrowed from the MacBook Air lineup.
If these leaks are accurate, the iPhone 17 series will mark a turning point for Apple — not just refining its hardware, but reshaping the product lineup with the introduction of the Air, adding display parity across all models, and pushing camera technology forward in meaningful ways. As the September event draws near, the next few weeks will likely bring sharper details on final specifications, confirmed colors, and camera capabilities. For now, the iPhone 17 story is one of sleek new designs, significant hardware upgrades, and a potential shake-up in how we think about the iPhone family itself.
