iPhone 17 Air Prices Leak: 256GB at $1,099, 1TB at $1,499

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to start at $1,099 for 256GB of storage and top out at $1,499 for a 1TB model, according to TrendForce. This is higher than J.P. Morgan's estimate of a starting price between $899 and $949. The iPhone 17 Air will replace the iPhone 16 Plus and feature a new A19 chip, 12GB of RAM, and a 120Hz ProMotion display. The regular iPhone 17 will keep its $799 starting price and 128GB of base storage.

Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, at an event scheduled for September 9, 2025. According to TrendForce, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to start at $1,099 for 256GB of storage and top out at $1,499 for a 1TB model [1]. This pricing is higher than J.P. Morgan's estimate of a starting price between $899 and $949. The iPhone 17 Air will feature a new A19 chip, 12GB of RAM, and a 120Hz ProMotion display, replacing the iPhone 16 Plus.

The regular iPhone 17 will maintain its $799 starting price and will come with 128GB of base storage. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are expected to have higher prices, with the base model starting at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,399, according to TrendForce [1].

The iPhone 17 series is anticipated to feature enhancements in processor performance, thermal management, and imaging capabilities, which could stimulate demand. TrendForce projects that total shipments of the iPhone 17 series will rise by 3.5% compared to the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024, with the Pro series remaining the main sales driver [1].

The introduction of the iPhone 17 Air signals Apple's official entry into the thin-and-light flagship category. However, it may fall short of satisfying consumers who prioritize large batteries and high-end photography by reducing battery capacity and trimming camera specifications. TrendForce expects initial shipments of the Air to align with historical levels of the Plus series, though its actual sales performance remains to be seen [1].

All four iPhone 17 models are rumored to feature the A19 chip, with the Pro series adopting the A19 Pro. DRAM capacity will be increased to 12GB on the Air, Pro, and Pro Max, and NAND Flash storage will start at 256GB for these models, scaling up to 1TB [1].

The iPhone 17 Air will use a silicon anode battery and eSIM configuration to balance slimness with endurance. Notably, the entire iPhone 17 series will see major camera upgrades, with the front camera moving from 12MP to 24MP and all rear cameras raised to 48MP. The Pro models will go a step further, featuring a redesigned rectangular array and optimized software algorithms to enhance optical zoom and image resolution [1].

In terms of pricing, the base iPhone 17 model is expected to hold last year’s levels, while the Air, Pro, and Pro Max will see increases of US$50–$100 per comparable capacity to reflect their design breakthroughs and hardware enhancements. The Air’s price point is expected to compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, underscoring Apple’s strategy of strengthening brand appeal through product differentiation [1].

The launch of the Air, together with next year’s anticipated foldable model, highlights Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio and capture a wider user base. TrendForce notes that Apple may adjust its release cycle going forward, launching a sub-flag shipment model in the first half of the year, followed by the Air, Pro, Pro Max, and foldable in the second half—creating a richer, more clearly segmented product matrix [1].

References:
[1] https://macdailynews.com/2025/09/04/apples-iphone-17-air-iphone-17-pro-max-said-to-sport-12gb-ram/
[2] https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-iphone-17-rumors/