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In the smartphone world, the end of summer means the launch of the new iPhone generation. As every year, Apple will present its iPhone models in September. This time, the event is eagerly awaited because an entirely new device is to be unveiled. Apple recently revealed the exact date of the presentation. It is set to take place on September 9.
Leaked information has been trickling in for months, and countless leaks are haunting the internet. This already gives us a pretty concrete picture of what to expect from the iPhone 17 models. We have summarized all the details that are already known.
If the rumors are true, Apple will introduce a total of 4 new iPhones:
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Plus model is expected to be discontinued as it is not a big seller. Instead, Apple will launch the iPhone 17 Air. However, the Air is not intended to be a successor to the Plus device, but rather an entirely new category.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be an extra-thin phone that will impress primarily with its unparalleled form factor. Samsung already has a similarly slim smartphone in its lineup with the Galaxy S25 Edge.
It remains to be seen whether Apple will ultimately use the name “Air.” It is, of course, possible that a different model name will be used, such as “Slim.”
Design and size
iPhone 17
The regular iPhone 17 is expected to be slightly larger than its predecessor, with a display diagonal of 6.3 inches. Otherwise, there will be hardly any changes to the standard model. The back with the camera module and the front are expected to look very similar to the iPhone 16.
iPhone 17 Air
The iPhone 17 Air will be positioned between the Pro Max and the standard model and is expected to have a display diagonal of around 6.6 inches – whether it will ultimately be 6.55 or 6.65 inches is still unclear. However, it is expected to weigh only 145 grams.
This is because the main feature of the Air is its slim case. Here, too, it is still unclear how thick the device will actually be. There is talk of 5.5 to just over 6 millimeters.
However, the thin form factor comes with one major limitation: the Air is expected to have only a single camera lens. The camera module on the back will probably extend across the entire width.
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max
The two Pro models will retain their size: 6.3 and 6.9 inches. For a long time, leakers assumed that the lenses on the back would be arranged side by side. However, this is unlikely to be the case. Recently, it has been agreed that the camera will once again be mounted in a triangular pattern.
Even if the three lenses are aligned to the left, the camera module will probably still take up the entire width. This will make this year’s Pro models significantly different from their predecessors.
Clear case covers have now appeared that confirm the new design. In addition, the leaked cases are said to be compatible with the shoulder straps that Apple could launch with the iPhone 17.
Apple is rumored to be moving away from titanium frames for the two Pro models and switching back to aluminum instead. This would be the first time since 2017 that Apple has used neither titanium nor stainless steel for its high-end phones.
The iPhone 17 lineup is also expected to retire 60 Hz displays finally. All upcoming iPhones are expected to be equipped with a 120 Hz OLED screen (LTPO).
Apple refers to displays with an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz as ProMotion. This means that all new iPhones will finally have an always-on display.
The new screen represents a significant leap forward, especially for the standard device, in terms of maximum brightness. All iPhones will feature a Dynamic Island, which houses the selfie camera and Face ID sensors.
The cameras
All new iPhone models are expected to feature a new front camera with a resolution of 24 MP – previously, the selfie camera always had 12 MP. This should significantly improve the quality of the front camera.
iPhone 17
Apart from the front camera, there will be no notable innovations in the standard model. This means that the iPhone 17 will continue to come with a 48 MP primary camera and a 12 MP wide-angle camera.
iPhone 17 Air
The slim Air model will only have a single 48 MP camera – similar to the cheaper iPhone 16e (reviewed here by futurezone). The new 24 MP camera will also serve as the front camera.
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max
There is expected to be a significant improvement in the Pro models. Rumor has it that both phones will have three cameras, each with a resolution of 48 MP. The current iPhone 16 Pro has a primary camera and a wide-angle camera with a resolution of 48 MP, but the telephoto lens only has 12 MP.
Until now, it has been said that the new 48 MP telephoto lens will continue to come with a 5x optical zoom. Recently, there has been talk that there could be an 8x zoom after all. This is also said to work continuously.
Apple is expected to introduce greatly improved video quality in the camera of the new Pro models. The upgraded video quality is expected to be a key feature of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. For the first time, the Pro models will also be able to record 8K videos.
There have also been rumors that Apple wants to equip the upcoming Pro models with an additional professional camera app. It is still unclear whether only the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will get the new Pro camera app. However, it could also be that this app is an adapted version of the Final Cut Camera app.
Processor, storage, and RAM
Chips based on TSMC’s 2nm process will not yet be available for the iPhone 17 models. The new iPhones will therefore feature the A19 processor based on the 3nm process.
However, only the iPhone 17 will get the standard A19 chip. The two Pro models and the Air will be equipped with the more powerful A19 Pro. Both processors are expected to deliver improvements in performance and energy efficiency.
The iPhone 17 is expected to have only 8 GB of RAM. The Pro versions and the Air model are expected to have 12 GB of RAM.
There could still be a long-overdue innovation in the Pro models. These are now expected to be equipped with at least 256 GB of storage space.
WiFi chip and new modem
At least one iPhone 17 model is expected to be equipped with the new in-house WiFi 7 chip – most likely the Air. The other three devices could continue to rely on a component from Broadcom. However, it is also possible that all new iPhones will rely on the in-house developed WiFi 7 chip.
When it comes to the 5G modem, it is considered certain that all iPhone 17 devices will be based on the in-house C1 or C2 modem. The two in-house developments are expected to deliver noticeable improvements in energy efficiency.
SIM cards or eSIM only?
In the US, iPhones have not had a slot for a conventional SIM card for several years. Apple is expected to extend this approach to other countries with the iPhone 17 models.
This means that in the future, new iPhones in Austria may also require an eSIM. It is considered certain that the iPhone 17 Air will be available worldwide exclusively without a SIM slot. The Air’s casing is simply too thin for this.
The end of the SIM card?
If the new iPhones really do come without a conventional SIM card slot, it will be interesting to see how the industry reacts. Apple has always been a pioneer in such matters – just think of the demise of the headphone jack.
It is therefore quite possible that other manufacturers will follow suit with eSIM-only devices in the foreseeable future. It is also conceivable that even more mobile phone tariffs will only work with an eSIM in the future. Sooner or later, this will probably lead to the eventual demise of the physical SIM card.
Battery and charging
There are no changes in sight for wired charging via USB-C. All iPhone 17 models will continue to be chargeable at 35 watts. There will be some innovations in wireless charging.
The Pro models are expected to feature a new MagSafe layout. The magnetic ring will apparently no longer be closed. Nevertheless, the 17 Pro versions are expected to be compatible with existing MagSafe accessories. The standard model and the Air are expected to continue to have a closed MagSafe ring.
All iPhone 17 models will be able to charge at a maximum of 25 watts via MagSafe. Third-party chargers that support the Qi 2.2 standard should also be able to charge at 25 watts.
There are no major changes in terms of battery capacity. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have less than 3,000 mAh. How long this will last will only become clear in practical use.
Buttons
All iPhone 17 phones will apparently be equipped with the usual volume buttons and a power button. All new devices are also expected to feature camera controls and an action button.
Most recently, it was reported that the Pro models would have an additional camera button in the upper corner. However, this is now considered very unlikely.
Prices
No reliable information has yet been leaked about the prices in euros. There is talk that the iPhone 17 Air will be more expensive than the standard device, but cheaper than the Pro. This would mean that the Air would cost about the same as the iPhone 16 Plus.
In the US, the Plus is currently priced at $899 – in Austria, it costs around €1,100. This price can be used as a rough guide for the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 is expected to cost $799 in the US, and the iPhone 17 Pro at least $999. That would be the same price as the previous versions. For Austria, that would mean €1,200 for the Pro and €953 for the iPhone 17.
Launch date
September 9 is considered the most likely date for the upcoming iPhone event. Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup on Tuesday. Based on this date, September 19 would be a possible launch date.
It is still unclear whether all iPhones will go on sale at the same time. It could also be that a delayed market launch is planned for the iPhone 17 Air.
- source: futurezone.at/picture: pixabay.com
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