Apple's Upcoming iPhone 17 Lineup: Thinnest iPhone Ever, 120Hz Display, and More

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods, is expected to be announced on September 9. The iPhone 17 and Pro models may feature larger screens, improved cameras, and new colors. The Pro models may also see a change in materials, with aluminum replacing titanium. A foldable iPhone is rumored to be released in 2026.

Apple is gearing up for its annual iPhone unveiling, with the iPhone 17 series expected to be announced on September 9. The event will also include updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods. Here are the key features and expected announcements for the iPhone 17 lineup:

iPhone 17 Series

Release Date and Pricing
- The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch on September 9, 2025, with sales starting the following Friday, either September 12 or September 19 [1].
- Prices may increase by $50 due to tariffs on imports, according to Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. Expected starting prices are as follows:
- iPhone 17: $829
- iPhone 17 Air: $979
- iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,249 [1]

Design and Display
- The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be a super-thin, light model similar to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, potentially replacing the Plus model [1].
- Apple may change its back camera design from the square bump to a pill-shaped camera bar stretching across the phone [1].
- The iPhone 17 series is expected to feature 120Hz refresh rates on all models [1].
- Display sizes are expected to be:
- iPhone 17: 6.1-inch
- iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch
- iPhone 17 Air: 6.7-inch [1]

Cameras
- The rear camera layout may change, but the actual hardware upgrades are less clear. The iPhone 17 could keep two cameras: 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide [1].
- The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max may feature: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and Telephoto lens with 5x zoom, similar to the iPhone 16 Pro Max [1].
- A major rumor suggests the Pro and Pro Max may get 8x telephoto with moving parts for continuous optical zoom, like the Sony Xperia 1 V [1].
- The iPhone 17 Air may only have one 48MP main camera, unlike the iPhone 16 Plus [1].
- The front camera on all models may upgrade to 24MP, up from 12MP last year [1].

Specs and Performance
- The iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and Air are expected to feature the A19 chip, while the iPhone 17 will have the A18 chip (same as the iPhone 16) [1].
- RAM is likely 8GB on all models, needed for Apple Intelligence AI features [1].
- Storage options are as follows:
- iPhone 17: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- iPhone 17 Pro: Same as above plus 1TB
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB [1]

Battery
- The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro batteries may stay the same as the iPhone 16, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max may increase battery size to 5,000 mAh [1].
- The iPhone 17 Air will likely have a smaller battery due to its thin design [1].

Software
- All models will launch with iOS 26, the next version of Apple’s iPhone software [1].

Apple Watch and AirPods

While the focus is on the iPhone 17, Apple is also expected to unveil updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods. However, specific details on these products are not provided in the given source materials.

Legal Settlement

Apple is still carrying the shadow of a $490M settlement with investors over past misstatements on China sales, which may influence the timing and execution of the iPhone 17 announcement [3].

Conclusion

Apple's iPhone 17 series promises significant upgrades in design, camera technology, and performance. The expected aluminum chassis for the Pro models and the introduction of 120Hz refresh rates on all models are notable features. The upcoming event on September 9 will provide more clarity on the specifics of these new models.

References

[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/iphone-17-vs-air-pro-pro-max-leaks-reveal-shocking-differences-in-apples-next-lineup/articleshow/123388001.cms
[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2025/08/19/apple-iphone-17-pro-radical-new-design-claimed-in-new-report/
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/11thestate:69e759889094b:0-aapl-iphone-17-pro-design-leaks-but-settlement-clouds-still-hover/