iPhone 17 Features and Pricing: What to Expect
Apple has a new series for you, and here's all you need to know.
The cycle is nearly complete again, and we're about to see Apple fanboys get excited as Apple is once again stepping into the spotlight with its much-anticipated ‘Awe Dropping’ event, set for September 9, 2025, at Apple Park in Cupertino.
Fans around the globe are bracing themselves for what the company has lined up this year, and at the heart of it all is the iPhone 17 series. If you are one of the many people who had their reservations about last year’s iPhone 16, the 17 series is expected to bring something a little different with upgraded designs, sharper performance, and even a surprise new model.
Here's everything we heard and what we expect to be unveiled at the coming Apple Event.
Kelechi Edeh
iPhone 17 Series Lineup
The iPhone 17 family is expected to include four models. The standard iPhone 17 will carry forward the classic design Apple fans are used to, but with modest upgrades under the hood and improvements to the camera system.
Alongside it comes the iPhone 17 Air, a completely new entry in the lineup that replaces the “Plus.” Apple is said to be giving this model a strikingly slim design and a larger display, making it one of the most eye-catching iPhones yet.
At the higher end, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will continue to serve as Apple’s powerhouses. Both are tipped to feature Apple’s latest Pro chip, bigger storage and RAM as standard, and displays fine-tuned for smoother performance. For professionals, creators, and power users, these models will most likely still remain the go-to choice, offering the most advanced hardware Apple has to offer. The Pro Max, as always, will sit at the very top of the range with the largest screen, the most advanced cameras, and new thermal management tech aimed at heavy users.
By swapping out the “Plus” for the sleeker “Air,” Apple seems to be signalling a shift in how it differentiates its lineup, making the choice between design, performance, and size clearer for buyers this year.
Specs and Performance
Now, the Pro Models are expected to pack a punch as usual, with rumors claiming they'll both be powered by Apple's Pro chip and start at a much larger 256GB of storage. RAM is also expected to start at 12GB, becoming the norm for the higher-end models.
The base iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air are most likely going to be powered by a slightly less powerful A19 chip and start with 128 GB of storage. That’s a welcome shift for Apple fans who’ve been asking for more room to store photos, apps, and content without immediately paying for cloud space.
Camera
Camera upgrades are also on the cards. The iPhone 17 and 17 Air are expected to carry a dual rear system featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP secondary lens, while the Pro models will most likely keep their 48MP setup with added telephoto capabilities for sharper zoomed shots.
All four models will feature a 24MP TrueDepth front camera, giving selfie enthusiasts and FaceTime users sharper, more detailed results. To power all of this, Apple is expected to deliver larger batteries across the lineup, coupled with 45W MagSafe charging for faster top-ups.
Design and Display
This is where rumors of what Apple might be cooking have really caused a buzz among users. The iPhone 17 series is expected to introduce what many would consider a major observable change.
Starting off with the Pro and Pro Max, expect them to look mostly the same while featuring LTPO OLED panels at 6.3 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively, supporting smoother refresh rates for gaming and scrolling. The back of the phones is expected to get a redesign with a massive bump sticking out and around the cameras. In other words, your phone won't wobble as much when it's placed on a table.
Add to that Apple’s rumored focus on advanced cooling and thermal management, and the Pro models might just become the most efficient iPhones to date.
The base iPhone 17 is expected to look pretty much like last year's models, but with a 6.3-inch OLED display. But the iPhone 17 Air is where things really start to look different.
The Air model is clearly designed to steal the show in terms of aesthetics. Taking the place of the “Plus,” the Air is rumored to feature an ultra-thin design that sets it apart from the rest of the lineup, kind of like what Samsung did with the S25 Edge. If the rumors are true, the smartphone will be the slimmest iPhone one has ever seen, equipped with a 6.6-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, along with the 120 Hz refresh rate.
AI and Software
Of course, it’s not just the hardware drawing attention this year. After Apple’s recent mini-crisis with its Apple Intelligence rollout, many will be watching closely to see how the company handles AI and software this time around.
The iPhone 17 family will launch with iOS 26 right out of the box, loaded with AI-powered features ranging from generative photo editing tools to smarter Siri responses, powered in part by ChatGPT integration (or maybe with Gemini later down the line).
These updates will tie seamlessly into other Apple platforms, meaning your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple Watch will work together more intelligently.
Pricing
Now, let’s talk about what it’ll cost to get your hands on one. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to launch at $799 (₹70,012), keeping it in line with Apple’s pricing tradition. The brand-new iPhone 17 Air is tipped to come in at $949 (₹83,207), while the Pro and Pro Max will take things higher at $1,049 (₹91,817) and $1,249 (₹1,09,823), respectively. The Pro models are about $50 more expensive than last year’s lineup, but with higher base storage and more powerful internals, Apple fans might find the price bump justified.
Beyond iPhones
Of course, Apple’s September event won’t just be about smartphones. The company is also set to reveal the Apple Watch Series 11, a rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3, the next-generation AirPods Pro 3, and refreshed iPads fitted with Apple’s latest silicon. On the software side, expect a heavy focus on iOS 26, watchOS, and macOS, all boasting deeper AI integration that will make the Apple ecosystem more connected and capable than ever.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 series is shaping up to be more than just another yearly update. Between the debut of the ultra-thin Air model, the storage and cooling boosts in the Pro lineup, and the AI-driven software enhancements across the board, Apple seems determined to push the iPhone into a sleeker, smarter, and more powerful future.
September 9 is already shaping up to be an awe-dropping day, and Apple fans worldwide will be watching closely to see just how far the company is willing to go this time.
Louis Eriakha
