We recently posted our review of what will be one of the iPhone 17's biggest threats: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. And it didn't disappoint, earning five stars. So what will Apple have to do to get itself back on top?
The S25 Ultra excels as a media machine, so we're hoping the iPhone 17 makes some big gains in the movies and music department.
Thankfully, that looks to be the case, with the handset rumoured to bring 120Hz Pro Motion displays to all models in the range for the first time (previously, this was reserved for the Pro models of iPhone).
We're also expecting the iPhone 17 Air, which might get a boost to its battery life, if one rumour is to be believed.
That model would join the iPad Air M3 that was announced this week. A busy time for the Air range. So what can we expect come the rumoured iPhone 17 launch in September? Read on for all the latest rumours.
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iPhone 17 release date rumours
Apple is yet to breathe a word about the iPhone 17, but we can be pretty confident of when it will launch: September 2025. Every iPhone in recent memory has launched in September (apart from the 12, which was delayed due to the pandemic).
Behold.
- iPhone 11: 10th September 2019
- iPhone 12: 13th October 2020
- iPhone 13: 14th September 2021
- iPhone 14: 7th September 2022
- iPhone 15: 12th September 2023
- iPhone 16: 9th September 2024
When exactly in September is harder to pin down. Apple usually launches its iPhones on a Tuesday, but the iPhone 16 was the first to be announced on a Monday (and the iPhone SE 4 looks set for a Wednesday launch). It's far too early to say with any certainty when exactly the iPhone 17 will launch, but we'll bring you all the leaks and rumours closer to September.
iPhone 17 price hearsay
The nature of inflation means that devices like phones usually get more expensive. But in the last couple of years, we've seen much more modest price rises than previously. In some cases, prices have remained the same, or even fallen, meaning a new model launches for less than its inferior predecessor.
The iPhone 16 range costs broadly the same as the iPhone 15 before it.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
128GB | £799 / $799 / AU$1399 | £899 / $899 / AU$1599 | £999 / $999 / AU$1799 | N/A |
256GB | £899 / $899 / AU$1599 | £999 / $999 / AU$1799 | £1099 / $1099 / AU$1999 | £1199 / $1199 / AU$2149 |
512GB | £1099 / $1099 / AU$1949 | £1199 / $1199 / AU$2149 | £1299 / $1299 / AU$2349 | £1399 / $1399 / AU$2499 |
1TB | N/A | N/A | £1499 / $1499 / AU$2699 | £1599 / $1599 / AU$2849 |
For context, Apple's latest iPad Pro launched at £50 / $200 / AU$200 more than the model it replaces, though admittedly it did add an OLED screen to the offering. But the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation launched at the same price as the AirPods 3, and that's despite adding ANC. So Apple's prices don't always go up.
Running counter to that, the iPhone 16e replaced the iPhone SE as Apple's cheapest iPhone. But with a starting price of £599 / $599 / AU$999, it's not exactly budget. Which suggests Apple has given up on the cheap phone market.
Prices are notoriously tricky to predict, especially this far in advance – and especially for a new product category like the iPhone 17 Air. We'll bring you more leaks and rumours nearer to launch.
iPhone 17 range shakeup?
One of the biggest rumours concerning the iPhone 17 is the range make-up. Before the iPhone 16 even launched, there was talk of the Plus model being replaced by a new 'Air' or 'Slim' variant. As the name suggests, this would be slimmer than the current Plus, but also have other points of difference, like a different screen size and camera arrangement.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who has a decent track record when it comes to these things), the iPhone 17 Air will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, approaching the svelte dimensions of Apple's 5.1mm iPad Pro M4. This remarkable thinness isn't merely an engineering achievement – Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests it could serve as a crucial testing ground for technologies destined for future foldable Apple devices.
Here's how it might look, with a render created by Front Page Tech.
The pursuit of such a slim profile has led Apple to make several significant design decisions, Gurman says: the frame will use a unique titanium-aluminium blend, with a higher proportion of aluminium than seen in current Pro models. Physical SIM functionality will be replaced entirely by eSIM technology, while audio output will rely on a single speaker at the top rather than the dual-speaker configuration found in current iPhones. If this is true, it could impact sound quality, so consider our interest piqued.
It's also thought to feature a black camera bar across the width of its back panel. And speaking on the Recycle Bin podcast, tipster Jon Prosser speculated that the iPhone 17 Air could have a 6.7-inch screen – bigger than the 6.55 inches previously rumoured (though this was rounded up to 6.6 inches). 6.7 inches would be the same size as the screen on the iPhone 16 Plus – which would make sense, seeing as the 17 Air is said to replace the 16 Plus in Apple's line-up.
Apple is said to be using high-density battery cells in the iPhone 17 Air in order to cram more battery power into a slimmer frame. That's according to Ming-Chi Kuo.
iPhone 17 screen speculation
There's talk of Apple increasing the screen size of the standard iPhone model to bring it in line with the Pro. Currently, the iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch screen, compared to the iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3-incher.
With the rumoured iPhone 17 Air replacing the Plus model, that would leave the iPhone 17 range as follows:
- iPhone 17: 6.3 inches
- iPhone 17 Air/Slim: 6.6/6.7 inches
- iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3 inches
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9 inches
But that's not the only screen change being mooted. Apple is also said to bring 120Hz refresh rates to every iPhone in the line-up (including the rumoured iPhone 17 Air). This is a pretty big deal, given that its so-called ProMotion displays are currently exclusive to the Pro models. But according to display analyst Ross Young (via MacRumors), 120Hz will soon be standard across the board. This was also mooted by a leaker on Weibo(via MacRumors) who said this would be enabled by Samsung's M14 OLED display panel (which is currently only used in Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max).
Not only would 120Hz refresh rates mean better handling of more frantic action, with less slowdown, it would also allow every iPhone 17 model to scale down to the more power efficient refresh rate of just 1Hz, extending battery life while also allowing for always-on displays to show information while the handset is locked (again, this feature is currently limited to the Pro models). Samsung's M14 panel is also 30 per cent brighter than the M13 that came before it.
But another screen technology could also help prolong the battery life. Low-Dielectric TEE (Transmission Electrically Enhanced) apparently "improves battery efficiency, maximises display durability, and enhances overall performance compared to existing display technologies" according to the person who posted about it. It's said to be new technology about very little is known, so file this under 'maybe' for now.
The iPhone 17 is also said to have an anti-reflective screen that's more scratch-resistant than Apple's current Ceramic Shield, according to a rumour on Chinese social network Weibo.
A smaller Dynamic Island could also be in store. Analyst Jeff Pu says (via MacRumors) that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a "much narrowed [sic] Dynamic Island" thanks to the Face ID system using a smaller "metalens". Instead of being curved like a traditional lens, this would be thin and flat and be able to focus light more precisely. It would be the first change to the Dynamic Island since it was introduced in 2022. However, another well-respected analyst thinks the Dynamic Island will remain "largely unchanged".
iPhone 17 design rumours
Most years, Apple introduces only incremental changes to the iPhone, but every few years it gives it a bigger redesign. The iPhone 17 is said to feature some significant design changes compared to its predecessor.
One of the biggest – and most puzzling – design changes mentioned is ditching the Pro models' titanium build in favour of aluminium across the board. That's according to The Information, which notes that "the back of the Pro and Pro Max models will feature a new part-aluminium, part-glass design. The top of the back will comprise a larger rectangular camera bump made of aluminium rather than traditional 3D glass. The bottom half will remain glass to accommodate wireless charging."
Why is this puzzling? Apple only introduced titanium in 2023, on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Apple marketed titanium as strong yet light, and a more premium option than the stainless steel previously used. (It hasn't used aluminium for a premium iPhone since the iPhone X in 2017.) As such, this rumour has been met with some skepticism.
The iPhone 17 Pro could have the same horizontal camera bar on the rear as the iPhone 17 Air, according to this render from Front Page Tech.
The iPhone 17's battery could be easier to remove, thanks to a different type of adhesive. According to MacRumors, that would make the batteries easier to swap, extending the life of your iPhone.
Everyone seems to be sharing the same iPhone 17 CAD, so I thought I’d share the ones I’ve seen. Do we like this design? pic.twitter.com/IttxjgDhnbFebruary 28, 2025
According to these CADs (computer-aided designs) shared by reputable leaker Sonny Dickson, the iPhone 17 will have a very similar design to the iPhone 16, with only the Air, Pro and Pro Max getting the horizontal camera bar. Though the standard iPhone 17 model would still get plenty of other improvements, like the 120Hz always-on screen and possibly some new colour schemes.
The iPhone 17 Air will have the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, apart from being slimmer, according to leaker Ice Universe. "The iPhone 17 Air is 5.5mm thick, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.725mm thick," they wrote on Weibo.
That would make the 17 Pro Max quite a bit thicker than the 16 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 specs and features leaks
Apple usually gives its new iPhones a new processor, and the iPhone 17 should be no different. The range-topping iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature Apple's A19 Pro chip, while the iPhone 17 and 17 Air/Slim are thought to feature the standard A19. This is in keeping with the iPhone 16 range, which was the first to feature different versions of the same chip in the Pro and non-Pro models.
TSMC's upcoming N3P technology is thought to feature. This is said to offer better efficiency and increased transistor density.
More RAM is also thought to be in the offing. Analyst Jeff Pu has previously said that the Pro models will have 12GB RAM, and the non-Pros 8GB. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reckons that only the Pro Max will have 12GB, with the rest featuring 8GB. Apple doesn't reveal how much RAM each iPhone features, so it's down to teardowns and online sleuths to reveal it.
The iPhone 17 Air, in particular, is expected to feature 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence's AI features, despite its slim profile. However, the thin design necessitates some compromises – notably, the device will completely eliminate the physical SIM tray in favour of eSIM technology, which could affect its availability in certain markets. Other new features are said to include an Apple-designed 5G modem (only in the Slim/Air variant), and an Apple custom Wi-Fi 7 chip.
iPhone 17 camera conjecture
The camera is always one of the main selling points of any iPhone, and the iPhone 17's could be the best yet, with a comprehensive update across the range expected.
The top-end iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumoured to be the first iPhone with three 48-megapixel rear cameras: wide, ultrawide and tetraprism telephoto.
The iPhone 17 Air, given its svelte nature, is expected to have just a single rear camera, to allow it to be much thinner than its stablemates.
One model in the range is also said to have a mechanical aperture, to vary the amount of light allowed in to the sensor. This would allow for shallow depth of field shots, and make it a much more versatile camera. However, The Information doesn't reveal which model this would be, though it would make sense to be the 17 Pro Max, with the highest-end model getting the most advanced features.
The 5x telephoto zoom lens is thought to remain exclusive to the Pro models in the iPhone 17 range. Every phone in the family is said to have a 24-megapixel front-facing camera – double the resolution of the iPhone 16's 12-megapixel selfie-taker.
iPhone 17 early verdict
To say it's early days would be an understatement. But the iPhone 17 is already looking impressive. Even before the iPhone 16 broke cover, the 17 was said to be the first significant upgrade to the iPhone in years. If these rumours are true, that definitely looks to be the case.
Now that the Samsung Galaxy S25 is official, it looks like the South Korean rival might have edged ahead of Apple, for now at least. But come September, the game of leapfrog will surely continue.
We'll be updating this regularly with all the latest leaks, rumours and news, so make sure you check back for the latest.
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