Apple Ditches 128GB as iPhone 17 Series Debuts with Ultra-Thin Air Model and Pro Camera Overhaul

Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 series at an event titled "Ahead of the Curve," held in the early hours of September 10, 2025. This new generation marks a significant innovation leap, notably eliminating the Plus model and introducing the Air ultra-slim variant while simultaneously enhancing aspects of its screen, performance, and camera capabilities.

The iPhone 17 lineup consists of four distinct models: iPhone 17 standard, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. These new offerings articulate Apple's effort in refining its market segmentation strategy to cater to both general users and professional creators.

Notably, all models start at 256GB, marking the end of the 128GB era. Pricing begins at 5,999 yuan for the standard version, ascending to 7,999 yuan for the Air version, 8,999 yuan for the Pro, and 9,999 yuan for the Pro Max in the Chinese market.

The iPhone 17 standard model was highlighted as a standout, boasting 120Hz ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology for the first time, enhancing fluidity and responsiveness. Its screen size increased to 6.3 inches with reduced bezels, elevating the visual experience. The device reaches 3,000 nits peak brightness outdoors.

Under the hood, it is powered by the A19 chip constructed with a 3nm process, featuring a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU architecture. Enhanced memory bandwidth is claimed to significantly bolster graphics-intensive tasks, promising improved capabilities for gaming and professional applications.

The design remains conservative, offering five colors: lavender purple, mist blue, black, white, and sage green, maintaining a dual-camera module on the back. Durability advancements are notable with the upgraded Ceramic Shield, enhancing scratch resistance three times over the previous generation, positioning it as Apple's most robust standard iPhone to date.

The iPhone 17 Air marks Apple's thinnest smartphone entry at just 5.6mm, weighing around 145 grams. The design leverages a battery-centric configuration, allocating most of the space for power storage. Despite its slim profile, it harnesses the same A19 Pro processor found in the Pro models.

The Pro series heralds notable design shifts, notably adopting a horizontal camera matrix, diverging from the long-employed square bump design. It favors aerospace-grade aluminum for its lightweight and robust profile, with a VC heat dissipation system incorporating a sealed chamber to alleviate overheating under load.

The Pro series features the A19 Pro chip, promising performance gains with enhancements across the CPU and GPU, including increased graphics processing speed by up to 30%. The display includes anti-glare matte glass for reduced reflections under strong light. The Pro Max model expands to a 6.9-inch screen for broader visibility.

In imaging, the Pro series delivers a comprehensive upgrade with triple 48-megapixel rear cameras. The Pro Max model features a unique 48-megapixel long-focus camera, supporting up to 8x optical zoom, establishing a new precedent for photographic reach in iPhones.

Sustained advancements in battery life see significant improvements across the board, with enhanced video playback times reflecting substantial gains over previous iterations. The comprehensive architecture overhaul and high-end feature accessibility seem to suggest Apple's commitment to maintaining its innovation leadership while broadening its appeal.