It doesn't seem that long ago that the iPhone 16 Pro hit shelves, but the Apple rumour mill never sleeps.
Plenty of iPhone 17 rumours and alleged leaks, including speculation on what Apple has in store for its next flagship device, the iPhone 17 Pro, have already surfaced, and we are covering them all below.
The most significant upgrades appear to be coming to the camera system, display technology and internal gubbins, though we may also see a design refresh if some rumours are to be believed.
So, let's dive into what we can expect from the iPhone 17 Pro when it arrives.
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: which should you buy?
- The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if movies on the move are your priority
- iPad Air M3 vs iPad Pro M4: what's the difference?
iPhone 17 Pro: release date speculation
There's no official launch date for the iPhone 17 Pro. We can, however, be pretty darn sure that it will be revealed in September 2025, given that Apple almost always announces its new iPhone line in early to mid-September.
More specifically, Apple typically announces new iPhones on a Tuesday in the second week of September, meaning that Tuesday 9th September 2025 is the most obvious candidate for the iPhone 17 series' announcement. You can see the past launch dates below:
- 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
Previous launch patterns also suggest that we should expect pre-orders to open shortly after the announcement, with retail availability following roughly a week later.
iPhone 17 Pro: price predictions
The recent bout of US tariffs is causing chaos across many industries, including electronics, and that makes it very hard indeed to predict pricing for the next iPhone.
That of course means that rumours are thin on the ground, and also that past prices are not the general guide that they usually are.
We can simply say that the iPhone 16 range launched at similar prices to the iPhone 15 before it, so we're hoping the same for the iPhone 17 Pro and its siblings, but we're not holding our breath.
Still, for context, the prices for the current iPhone 16 range are below:
| 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 |
iPhone 17 Pro: design and build
iPhone 17 Pro in real lifeImage @kdctweets pic.twitter.com/Z2NxaFY6EHApril 6, 2025
While most smartphones tend to look the same – there's only so much you can do with a slab of glass and some cameras on the back, after all – there may be a few tweaks in line for the iPhone 17 Pro.
One of the latest rumours points to a potential change in materials, marking a departure from the titanium frame used in the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro models (and the stainless steel used in earlier Pro iPhones).
According to The Information's Wayne Ma, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a new part-aluminium, part-glass design that could improve durability while still enabling wireless charging.
The top portion could reportedly be aluminium for improved durability, while the bottom section would be glass in order to support wireless charging functionality. It's an interesting concept, though time will tell if the rumours are accurate.
The camera module, meanwhile, is expected to see a significant redesign too. Multiple sources, including MacRumors, report that the iPhone 17 Pro could adopt a large rectangular camera bump spanning nearly the entire width of the device – similar to Google's Pixel phones. A recent render from Majin Bu (above) shows how this design might look.
Majin Bu also reports that Apple will likely introduce a new Sky Blue colour for the iPhone 17 Pro models, similar to the recently introduced MacBook Air M4.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (below), the camera bump will also be the same colour as the rest of the device, rather than featuring a two-tone design as seen in some early renders.
The iPhone 17 Pro won’t have a two-toned back, I’m told. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device. That speaks to the more gradual design changes that Apple is making: The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t a major departure from current models.https://t.co/rjmg9eGjpnApril 6, 2025
iPhone 17 Pro: display
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to retain the same 6.3-inch display size introduced by the iPhone 16 Pro, but with some notable improvements to the screen technology.
Reports from Instant Digital (via MacRumors) indicate that the iPhone 17 Pro's display will feature a new anti-reflective coating, significantly increasing its scratch resistance compared with previous models, as well as improving visibility in direct sunlight.
Elsewhere, the standard 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate is expected to return, though PhoneArena reports that the display could achieve higher peak brightness levels, potentially by using Samsung Display's M14 panels, which can apparently reach up to 3000 nits.
Interestingly, MacRumors also indicates that the ProMotion technology will no longer be exclusive to Pro models, with all iPhone 17 models expected to feature 120Hz displays, thanks to the adoption of LTPO OLED technology across the entire 17 series lineup.
Lastly, a smaller and less intrusive Dynamic Island could also make an appearance. Analyst Jeff Pu says (via MacRumors) that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will reportedly have a narrower Dynamic Island thanks to the Face ID system using a smaller "metalens".
Instead of being curved like a traditional lens, the newest version is apparently thin and flat enough to be able to focus light more precisely. That would mark the first change to the Dynamic Island since it was introduced in 2022.
In classic Apple rumour-mill fashion, however, another well-respected Apple analyst believes that the Dynamic Island will remain "largely unchanged".
iPhone 17 pro: specs, features, OS, and battery life
Surprise, surprise, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature the most powerful iPhone processor to date. According to multiple reports from sources including MacRumors and Tom's Guide, the iPhone 17 Pro will be powered by Apple's next-gen A19 Pro chip, which is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's newer third-generation 3nm process.
This should deliver improved performance and power efficiency over the current A18 Pro silicon, though it looks as though Apple will need to wait until the iPhone 18 in 2026 for TSMC's more advanced 2nm process.
Memory is also rumoured to receive a significant boost. Multiple sources suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro could feature 12GB of RAM, up from the 8GB found in the iPhone 16 Pro models. MacRumors reports that this additional memory would particularly benefit the Apple Intelligence features while improving multitasking performance as AI capabilities continue to expand.
Another notable improvement could be thermal management. Reports from the above two sources indicate the iPhone 17 Pro will incorporate vapour chamber cooling technology, which disperses heat more efficiently across a larger surface area to prevent thermal throttling and maintain stable performance during demanding tasks such as gaming.
This would address occasional overheating issues reported with some previous models under heavy loads.
All iPhone 17 models are also expected to feature a Wi-Fi 7 chip designed by Apple rather than Broadcom, marking another step in Apple's transition to in-house component design. However, MacRumors notes that the 5G modem in the iPhone 17 Pro models will still come from Qualcomm, as Apple's in-house modem development appears to be progressing at a slower rate than expected.
As for the operating system, it will come as no surprise to hear that iOS 19, which was unveiled at Apple's WWDC in June, will be landing on the next-gen iPhones.
Apple Intelligence will, also unsurprisingly, continue to be a major focus, with Tom's Guide reporting that iOS 19 will bring expanded AI capabilities, building on the foundation established with iOS 18.
Lastly, on the battery front, we could see improvements in longevity thanks to the more efficient A19 Pro processor, along with a rumoured larger battery capacity.
PhoneArena reports that the iPhone 17 Pro could house a 3700mAh battery, while the Pro Max variant might reach 4700mAh, which would be slightly bigger than the respective models in the iPhone 16 range.
iPhone 17 Pro: camera
The iPhone 17 Pro's camera system looks set for one of its most significant upgrades in recent years. According to MacRumors and PhoneArena, all three rear cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro are expected to feature 48MP sensors, including an upgraded telephoto lens that would replace the current 12-megapixel telephoto camera.
This would make the iPhone 17 Pro the first iPhone with three 48MP lenses, though there are conflicting reports about how this might affect zoom capabilities.
Some sources, such as Tom's Guide, suggest the telephoto camera may shift from the current 5x optical zoom to a 3.5x (85mm equivalent) zoom, which could be better optimised for portrait photography.
The front-facing camera is also due for a substantial improvement, according to the rumour mill. Multiple sources report that all iPhone 17 models will feature a new 24MP selfie camera – a significant upgrade from the 12MP front camera found in the iPhone 16 range. This should provide noticeably improved image quality for selfies and FaceTime calls, along with greater flexibility for cropping.
Additional camera features also reportedly include new shooting modes. Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech, as reported by The Shortcut, claims that the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a new dual-capture mode that would allow users to record video simultaneously with both front and rear cameras.
There's also speculation from multiple sources that 8K video recording – a feature reportedly tested but not implemented on the iPhone 16 Pro – could finally debut with the iPhone 17 Pro, taking advantage of the higher-resolution sensors.
iPhone 17 Pro: early verdict
While the September announcement seems a long way off, rumours suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a more substantial upgrade than the iPhone 16 Pro was on its predecessor.
The potential combination of a trio of 48MP cameras, improved display technology and faster innards makes for a tempting proposition – assuming they all come to fruition.
There will be plenty more rumours to sift through between now and the official launch, though, so watch this space!
MORE:
Read all about the upcoming iPhone 17: release date rumours, price leaks, possible specs and features
Browse today's best Apple deals: iPhone, iPad, HomePod
These are the best smartphones for music and movies
Google fans, check out the best Android phones
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
