Apple iPhone 17 Release Date, Price & Specs Rumours

The speculation around Apple’s iPhones never seems to stop.

Although the iPhone 16 series has just been launched, discussions about the iPhone 17 are already circulating. Apple, known for its secrecy, adds to the excitement with these early leaks and rumors.

If you’re curious about why you should hold out for the iPhone 17, here’s a summary of everything we currently know about the entire lineup. Remember, though, that nothing is confirmed until Apple makes an official announcement.

When will the iPhone 17 be released?

Apple typically reveals its new iPhone models in September, usually on the Tuesday of the second week. Going by this trend, we can anticipate the iPhone 17 to be unveiled around 9 September 2025.

Here’s a look at the recent release dates for iPhones:

• iPhone 16: 9 September 2024
• iPhone 15: 12 September 2023
• iPhone 14: 7 September 2022
• iPhone 13: 14 September 2021
• iPhone 12: 13 October 2020 (delayed due to Covid)

Pre-orders typically begin on the Friday following the announcement, with devices shipping a week later. Occasionally, certain models may face slight delays due to production challenges.

How much will the iPhone 17 cost?

Pricing details for the iPhone 17 are still speculative. However, according to the leaker Ice Universe on Weibo, the ‘Plus’ model might be replaced by a new ‘Air’ or ‘Slim’ model, priced higher than the Pro Max.

The rumored pricing is as follows:

• iPhone 17: 6.27-inch LTPO display, A19/8GB ($799/£799)
• iPhone 17 Pro: 6.27-inch LTPO display, A19 Pro/12GB ($1,099/£1,099)
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.86-inch LTPO display, A19 Pro/12GB ($1,199/£1,199)
• iPhone 17 Air/Slim: 6.65-inch LTPO display, A19/8GB ($1,299/£1,299)

If these rumors hold true, we could see a significant increase in the overall cost of the iPhone lineup, with the Pro model’s price jumping by $100 and a new high-end model surpassing the Pro Max.

What specs and features will the iPhone 17 have?

iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air, previously known as the iPhone 17 Slim, is anticipated to debut in 2025 (potentially alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 series) and could serve as a mid-tier offering in Apple’s lineup, positioned between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.

Analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International (via 9to5mac) was the first to report this change, with The Information later mentioning the ‘Air’ or ‘Slim’ model, stating it would be a new, higher-end model positioned above the Pro Max in the lineup.

However, according to Mark Gurman, this new device will be positioned between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, catering to users who want premium features without the high performance, larger screen, or advanced camera systems of the Pro models.

According to Pu (via MacRumors), the iPhone 17 Air will be powered by the A19 chip (not the A19 Pro), feature 8GB of RAM, and include a single 48Mp rear camera and a 24Mp front-facing camera, making it an attractive option for users seeking premium features without the high price tag of the Pro models.

It’s also expected to sport a 6.6-inch display (slightly smaller than the iPhone Plus models), Face ID, a Dynamic Island cutout, and an aluminum chassis, with a design that could make it noticeably thinner than previous models. This aligns with rumors of Apple working on ultra-thin OLED displays using Novatek’s TDDI technology.

The iPhone 17 Air is likely to be priced above the standard iPhone 17 but below the Pro models, although the exact pricing remains unknown.

Design

Apple might introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 could potentially feature a 6.3-inch display, up from 6.1 inches, aligning it with the size of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Rumors suggest that Apple plans to phase out the Plus model in 2025, leaving only a single lower-cost device. At 6.3 inches, it would fall between the current 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

A notable rumor also suggests that Apple may introduce a new green color option for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

According to the leaker Majin Bu, Apple is testing various color codes, including #004349 (Teal Titanium), #4f00b7 (Green Titanium), and #003800 (Dark Green Titanium). While these color choices are not final, there’s a strong chance that the Teal Titanium variant will make it to the final lineup.

The iPhone 17 Pro could signify a departure from Apple’s traditionally more subdued color options for its Pro models, which currently include Black, White, Gold, and Gray for the iPhone 16 Pro. The addition of green options would cater to those looking for more vibrant choices in Apple’s premium lineup.

Display

According to The Elec, all models in the iPhone 17 lineup are expected to feature LTPO displays, ranging in size from 6.27 inches to 6.86 inches. The always-on display, previously exclusive to Pro models, is rumored to become standard across all versions.

Chinese leaker Ice Universe claims that the non-Pro models of the iPhone 17 will sport an LTPO display for the first time, boasting a 120 Hz variable refresh rate, similar to many recent Android flagships. This could potentially pave the way for always-on display support, although Apple may reserve this feature for the Pro models.

Apple is also said to be collaborating with Corning on a new anti-glare and scratch-resistant glass for the iPhone 17 lineup. This rumor originates from the account Instant Digital on Weibo.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The iPhone 17 Air/Slim is rumored (via DigiTimes) to feature a new, ultra-thin OLED display, potentially making the device significantly thinner. This innovation is enabled by Novatek’s TDDI (Touch and Display Driver Integration) OLED panel, which integrates the touch sensor and display driver into a single layer.

While DigiTimes suggests Apple might adopt this technology for the iPhone 17 Air/Slim, the company might first test it on other devices like the Apple Watch or iPads before introducing it to the iPhone.

Performance

All models of the iPhone 17 are likely to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, with only the Pro and Pro Max variants expected to feature the more powerful A19 Pro.

Previously, Ice Universe hinted that the Pro and (alleged) Air/Slim models might include the A19 Pro variant. However, Jeff Pu now suggests (via MacRumors) that the latter will come with the standard A19 chip, manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, offering enhanced efficiency and performance.

According to a report from a Chinese site CTEE, Apple is gearing up to introduce 2nm chips for its iPhone 17 lineup in 2025, with these advanced chips likely to be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

These chips may be produced by TSMC, although the Taiwanese company is currently facing production challenges due to low yields from the new 2nm process technology. Despite these challenges, Apple has reportedly secured TSMC’s entire 2nm capacity.

Trial production is set to commence in Q3 2024, allowing TSMC to stay competitive in the chipmaking market against rivals like Samsung and Intel.

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