The iPhone 17 lineup has the potential to be Apple's most significant release in years (but there could be a price hike), setting the stage for a major shift in design and technology. Here, we'll be talking about the base iPhone 17 model, if you're interested in the other models from the series, check here:
The main improvement this year to the iPhone 17 seems to be the 120Hz ProMotion screen. It's finally time for Apple to bring smoother scrolling and better fluidity to the standard model. Until now, only the Pro iPhones got the ProMotion display, but rumors say that this year, the regular version will get it too.
The iPhone 17 is likely to roll out with some design updates, pretty slim bezels, a bright and bigger display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Apart from that, we expect its design to remain pretty much familiar to iPhone fans, unlike the Pro models and the Air.
Apple's 2025 iPhone should arrive with pretty respectable cameras on board (especially for video). A welcome tweak rumored for the iPhone 17 is an upgraded front-facing camera with a 24 MP image sensor and six plastic lens elements, an improvement from the 12 MP camera with five elements found on previous generations.
The Apple Intelligence set of features arrived in 2024 (with iOS 18 and the iPhone 16) but these won't be in full motion until 2026, so don't expect the iPhone 17 to be an AI powerhouse right out of the box. Things are to be sorted out and perfected further next year.
A new leak from a German carrier hints that the iPhone 17 event may be held on September 9. This corroborates an earlier rumor, which also claimed the week of September 8 will be Apple's time.
Like usual, the official reveal will come with a brief pre-order phase; about ten days later, the iPhone 17 will be available in stores.
Device family
Announcement
Market release
Apple iPhone 17
September 9, 2025*
September*
Apple iPhone 16
September 9, 2024
September 20, 2024
Apple iPhone 15
Sept 12, 2023
Sept 22, 2023
Apple iPhone 14
Sept 7, 2022
Sept 16, 2022
* - probable dates
Things are moving according to plan, with Apple increasingly relying on India for iPhone manufacturing, with early production of the base iPhone 17 model now taking place in the country. This marks the first time Apple has used an Indian factory for the initial manufacturing phase, which typically occurs between May and October. Previously, this stage was only conducted in China.
iPhone 17 price
Price hikes are expected to come to the iPhone 17. Right now, rumor says to expect around $50 of price increase for all the models.
Apple may be forced to raise the price of its standard iPhone models due to a wave of new tariffs affecting nearly every country involved in its supply chain. For years, Apple has kept entry-level iPhone prices relatively steady, but with higher import taxes now hitting not just China, but also India, Vietnam, and other alternative manufacturing hubs, that strategy is under serious strain.
Most iPhones are still made in China, where tariffs have gone up a lot, which might raise prices for buyers in the US. India does make some iPhones, but production there is still small. Because of this, even the base iPhone 16 might get more expensive, possibly breaking Apple's usual pattern of steady prices between models.
Things are constantly changing, so keep an eye on it!
Apple iPhone model
Starting price, regardless of storage
iPhone 17
$799-$899* (or more)
iPhone 16 (and iPhone 15)
$799
* - anticipated prices
iPhone 17 deals to expect:
Apple: Don't expect the Cupertino giant to suddenly put the kibosh on its iPhone Upgrade program. This is how you can get a new iPhone every 12 months (with AppleCare+ coverage) by simply making 12 payments to Apple and trading in your existing iPhone for the next model. For example, prices historically have started at $39.50/mo for a 128 GB iPhone. You can either sign up online, in the Apple Store app, or in any Apple Store.
Verizon: If nothing changes (but don't rely on prices staying the same), the standard iPhone 17 model is anticipated to be potentially available for free with select Unlimited plans and a trade-in of any phone, regardless of its condition, which is a great offer, hands down.
T-Mobile: Similarly, T-Mobile customers may receive discounts in the $600-$700 range off any iPhone 17 model when choosing the Magenta MAX plan, if that's a thing in 2025. Additionally, given that the telco's strategy doesn't change, a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal could allow you to get up to $700 off a second iPhone 17 when adding a line to almost any T-Mobile plan.
AT&T: AT&T is likely to offer a range of attractive deals for the iPhone 17. Similar to previous offers, the standard iPhone 17 could be free when paired with an eligible AT&T plan and a trade-in of a phone in any condition.
It's important to note that these are just predictions and possibilities, so there's no guarantee that these offers will become reality.
iPhone 17 camera
Even though some Android flagships have outstanding cameras, iPhones are also superb at taking photos and videos as well.
What to expect: 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 24 MP selfie
You shouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 17 camera setup is the one from its predecessor (at least the one on its back).
Selfie camera upgrade
The iPhone 17's selfie camera will get an upgraded 24 MP sensor, which is great news.
The front camera hasn't changed much since the iPhone 11 back in 2019, so this update is a big deal. With a 24 MP sensor, selfies will look much clearer, and pictures will keep their quality even when zoomed or cropped, giving users more room to edit later.
Vertical camera alignment
Of course, there's no reason to expect that the iPhone 17 will go back to the diagonal alignment of its rear cameras, found on the 14 and 15 series. As you've probably seen already, the iPhone 16 ditched it and replaced it with a vertical layout.
This isn't some sort of paying homage to the iPhone 12 (the last iPhone with a vertical camera alignment): instead, it's because of Apple's Vision Pro headset. Diagonally positioned cameras like the ones on previous iPhone cameras can't record spatial video, while vertical cameras can.
iPhone 17 storage
What to expect:
128 GB
256 GB
512 GB
Keep in mind that the figures above could change in time. Apple might ditch the 128 GB version for the vanilla iPhone 17 and we could jump straight to 256 GB.
Also, there's another reason for the 128 GB starting storage point to be finally got rid of in 2025. It's because of the power- and storage-hungry AI.
Apple may set 12 GB of RAM as the new baseline for all iPhone models. This increase in storage is because of the expected on-device AI capabilities, which require substantial data, thus boosting storage demands. Similarly, AI processing is driving the need for more RAM, prompting this anticipated upgrade.
The iPhone 15 (and 15 Plus) featured only 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage in their base models.
iPhone 17 design
The end of 2024 brought along some pretty wild design rumors. The iPhone 17 could resemble a Pixel phone to an extent. There was this leaked iPhone 17 frame image that revealed a horizontal Pixel-like camera island. This also made Google release a funny short clip on the topic.
There's this X post from prominent leaker Majin Bu that shows the vanilla iPhone 17 standing behind the alleged iPhone 17 Air (the one on the left):
The start of 2025 brought another portion of design rumors. Apple is reportedly introducing a new splicing process for the iPhone 17, creating a smoother transition between the back and the frame. This technique involves a sloped design where the rear shell meets the main body, replacing the current sharper edges for a more seamless and ergonomic feel. The change, though subtle, could enhance both the phone's aesthetics and its comfort in hand.
Although the iPhone 17 lineup isn't expected until September, some case makers are already accepting pre-orders based on leaked designs. Using CAD renders and 3D prints, these early cases showcase the phones' shapes and camera layouts, offering enthusiasts a chance to get a feel for the upcoming models months ahead of launch.
Bold design claims
If you're really eager to check out the iPhone 17, you'll be happy to know that there's already this video available:
Of course, this isn't an official clip from Cupertino; it's what the device could look like, as we've reported. Naturally, the video focuses on the Pro Max model, but the standard iPhone model is also right there.
There are also metal molds of the iPhone 17 lineup that – if credible – hint at the vanilla flagship's exteriors:
Metal molds of the iPhone 17 line. | Image credit – Sonny Dickson via AppleInsider
As you can see, the iPhone 17 is not that different from the iPhone 16.
There could be a refreshed look to the Dynamic Island and its interface, marking the first update to the feature since its debut on the iPhone 14 Pro models. While details are vague, leaks suggest Apple could tweak the design or use new Face ID technology, though major changes to the size seem unlikely.
Camera Control button
The Camera Control button that debuted on the iPhone 16 series should be once again present on the iPhone 17.
It does more than just the usual "click". Just as rumors foretold, it offers zoom and focus controls as well. Sources were right to tell this button is not just a standard mechanical one; it’s touch-sensitive as well. Users can swipe to adjust zoom levels, with a half-press focusing the shot.
While a light press handles focusing and brings up several dedicated-camera-like functionalities, a firm press captures the image or starts recording.
Or less buttons?
However, the iPhone 17 might have less buttons overall, compared to its predecessor.
As you know, Appleintroduced the Action Button in 2023, replacing the traditional mute switch. The iPhone 16 includes the additional "Camera Control" button that we talked about above, which allows users to take photos and zoom by sliding along the button. This brings the iPhone 16 to five physical buttons.
However, Apple is reportedly planning a change for the iPhone 17, combining the Action Button and volume controls on one side, while keeping the Camera Control on the other. This move would reduce the number of buttons to three. The merged button may function as both an Action Button and volume control, with sliding actions adjusting volume and pressing it possibly launching apps or muting the phone.
Bezels to get thinner
The iPhone 17 is to inherit the super-thin bezels that debuted on the 2024 iPhones.
That's thanks to the so-called BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology to minimize the display bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro Max arrives with ultra-thin 1.15mm bezels: now that's impressive!
Reducing the size of the top and side bezels is more or less easily achievable, but the bottom bezel surely got some Apple engineers to scratch their heads longer than what's generally accepted. That's because the bottom bezel poses a challenge due to heat generation issues. The new BRS technology seems to address this by allowing the bottom bezel to be as thin as possible. It achieves this by rolling the copper wires at the bottom upward.
Colors to pick from
Apple is reportedly introducing a new color option called Light Purple for the base model iPhone 17 – a soft, true purple shade that many users have been hoping for since the iPhone 12. Unlike past versions of purple that didn't quite meet expectations, this new hue is said to closely match what most people imagine when they hear the word "purple", offering a more appealing and accurate color choice.
On the image above, we don't see the Light Green color or the Gray color, but of course, nothing is official as of yet, so take all of these leaks with a grain of salt.
iPhone 17 display
New panels and new size
Leaks claim all iPhone 17 models – yes, even the "vanilla" flagship – will feature Samsung's M14 OLED panels, a significant upgrade from previous models. The M14 panel, used in the iPhone 16 Pro, offers 30% higher brightness, better lifespan, and lower power consumption compared to the M13.
This was corroborated in late March by another leak that claimed all iPhone 17 models would feature Samsung's OLED panels. Samsung Display's M14 panel isn't just visually impressive, but it also boasts remarkable brightness. Capable of reaching 3,000 nits, it would set a new record for iPhone displays. However, the iPhone 17 is unlikely to hit that peak, as the same panel was used in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max without reaching such brightness levels.
Non-Pro iPhone 16 models used the older M12 panel, similar to the iPhone 15. Anyway, the iPhone 17 series will still benefit from improved brightness and battery efficiency.
We'll also most likely see improved durability, because Apple introduced a 2nd-gen Ceramic Shield for the iPhone 17's predecessor.
Apart from that, the vanilla iPhone 17 will probably grow slightly in size with its rumored 6.27-inch display. On the 16 series, it was a 6.12-inch one (as on the iPhone 15). There are multiple rumors speaking of a 6.3-inch display for the baseline 17 model.
Apple recently seemed to drop Chinese display maker BOE from the iPhone 17 lineup due to quality issues, but an insider then said BOE will actually supply screens – just for the Chinese market. Meanwhile, Samsung and LG will handle displays elsewhere, suggesting either BOE can't match the competition globally or there wasn't enough time to ramp up production for all regions, potentially leaving Chinese buyers with local-made panels this year.
LTPO technology allows for variable refresh rates, enhancing power efficiency, and is the foundation for features like the always-on display in the iPhone 16 Pro. BOE, despite advancements in OLED technology, has lost out on supplying LTPO display due to reliability issues. LG Display and Samsung will handle the bulk of the iPhone 17's display orders. BOE's past struggles with Apple, including design alterations and failure to meet specifications, have prevented it from securing iPhone contracts.
Higher refresh rate (finally!)
ProMotion, previously exclusive to the Pro models, may now be extended across the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Rumors first surfaced earlier this year, with reliable tipster Ross Young predicting that all models in the iPhone 17 would get a 120Hz refresh rate. Subsequent reports have supported this, suggesting both ProMotion and Always-On displays will be available across all models.
In late March, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also claimed the iPhone 17 is to get 120Hz refresh rate, a.k.a. ProMotion. This enhances the display's responsiveness, making scrolling feel fluid and animations appear smoother.
iPhone 17 battery
Significant increases for the iPhone 17 battery seem unlikely, with only minor improvements expected.
While the iPhone 17 may feature around a 3,600 mAh battery, those looking for larger capacities might need to explore other brands like OnePlus.
Currently, there are rumors that Apple’s new battery adhesive, introduced with the 2024 iPhones, will be implemented across all four iPhone 17 models next year. This innovative adhesive allows Apple to use electrically induced adhesive peel technology, enabling the battery to be easily removed by applying a small electric current. The current weakens the adhesive's bond, allowing the battery to detach with minimal effort.
After the old battery is taken out, a fresh layer of adhesive will be added to hold the new one in place. This new method means you won't need heat guns or lots of force to change an iPhone battery anymore. Apple is trying it out first on the regular iPhone models so their repair teams can test it and give feedback. That way, things will go more smoothly when it rolls out to the iPhone 17.
Stacked battery tech?
It could be the case that the iPhone 17 will benefit from the stacked battery tech that first showed up in 2023. This is the reason iPhone 15 owners could enjoy better battery life than the iPhone 14 crowd.
In 2023, Apple surprised everyone by revealing the iPhone 15's battery performance was better than predicted. Initially, they said it would keep 80% of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles, but later improved that estimate across the entire iPhone family. Sure, it doesn’t match the blazing 210W charging speeds seen in Chinese phones like Vivo or Xiaomi, but it’s got some tricks worth mentioning.
Since 2023, iPhones have used a "stacked" battery design, similar to the ones used in electric cars. This new method is more compact and stable than the older "winding" style, which took up more space. While winding batteries are usually cheaper and last longer, stacked ones can hold more energy and work more efficiently. That means better battery life for your phone.
iPhone 17 features and software
It will run on iOS 26
Apple Intelligence might not be fully ready for the iPhone 17
It was widely expected that 2025 would be the year Apple fully caught up with other brands in AI. However, whether that will actually happen remains uncertain.
During the June 2024 WWDC, Apple did present iOS 18 and promised to heavily emphasize AI for the iPhone. In what's best described as a typical Apple move, the Cupertino giant announced its Apple Intelligence(yeah, that's the humble term they're using for their upcoming set of artificial intelligence features) to be available for only a handful of iPhones back then.
Apple's AI tools, initially promised for release, are now delayed indefinitely due to readiness issues, and the company has taken full accountability for the marketing of incomplete features. While no immediate layoffs are planned, adjustments within the company are underway, including shifts in leadership, to fix the Apple Intelligence issues. Apple has clarified that the AI tools will now be released in a future update, with plans to only launch when the product is perfected.
The AI revamped Siri, for example, is going to be really late. Robby Walker, who leads Siri's team, has called the delays "embarrassing" and "disappointing". This situation is reminiscent of when Tim Cook publicly apologized for the Apple Maps disaster in 2012.
iOS 26: what to expect?
The iPhone 17 will run iOS 26 out of the box. | Image Credit - Apple
With iOS 18, we're got some new features that include free-form app icon placement, deep app icon customization (allowing for resizing icons and adding a colorful tint), customizable lock screen shortcuts, and a redesigned Control Center.
Apple announced iOS 26 during WWDC 2025 (and yep, there's no iOS 19). iOS 26 brings an entirely new look called Liquid Glass, which would be uniform across all Apple devices. The camera app is also getting a redesign with a new, minimalistic look. Apple is also bringing useful features to the Phone app, like Call Screening, and to Messages and other Apple apps.
The iOS 26 update is a major overhaul, so things are going to look pretty different than what we're used to.
The new Liquid Glass design language. | Image Credit - Apple
A System-on-Chip (SoC) integrates most or all components of a computer or electronic system onto a single chip. It typically includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory interfaces (for RAM and ROM), input/output interfaces, and often additional features like a graphics processing unit (GPU), communications modules (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), and more.
Apple's A18 chip that landed on the iPhone 16 series (the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max received the boosted A18 Pro model) might be reused again. The possibility for the iPhone 17 to use the same 3nm A18 chip surfaced again in June 2025.
Another report claims that the base iPhone 17 is expected to use the newer A19 chip instead of the A18, matching the iPhone 17 Air’s processor, while the Pro models will get the even more powerful A19 Pro. However, the base model is likely to keep 8 GB of RAM, with the Air and Pro versions upgrading to 12 GB for better multitasking and AI features. This move follows Apple’s occasional pattern of updating chips unevenly across models but suggests a push toward more uniform performance this time.
In the realm of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology for mobile phones, "nm" (nanometer) denotes the size of components like transistors on the chip. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter, underscoring the minuscule scale of these elements. Smaller nanometer technology enables more chips by allowing more transistors to fit into a compact space. Basically, the smaller the "nm" number of a SoC, the more power efficient and powerful your phone gets.
Rumors about the A19 chip for the iPhone 17 had it that this could be the first 2nm SoC for a mass-produced phone. Apple's plans to build a 2nm SoC came two months before the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was officially launched at the end of October 2023.
However, in mid-April 2024, there came a cold shower of rumors that claimed Apple won't make it to the 2nm level for the iPhone 17 and the A19 chip. In September 2024, the same thing was stated again:
If Apple doesn't manage to come up with a 2nm chip for the iPhone 17 lineup, this will mean that Samsung and its Galaxy S26 Ultra (expected in the very beginning of 2026) will be the first phone with a 2nm chip inside.
The iPhone 17 will feature custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, supporting the Wi-Fi 7 standard to improve performance, energy efficiency, and integration within Apple's ecosystem. This move reduces reliance on third-party suppliers like Broadcom. Additionally, Apple's "vanilla" iPhone 17 could feature the in-house C1 modem.
Should I wait for the iPhone 17?
You should wait for the iPhone 17 if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and you can't stand the idea of using a phone for more than a year. If you're after a phone with a 2nm chip – if Apple has managed to get it ready, though – 17 is your lucky number. If you also want to get a base iPhone with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate, this one's for you as well. If you're using iPhone 14 or older, I think the 17 might be the correct model for you.
You should not wait for the iPhone 17 if you're a die-hard Android fan (that was obvious). If you have the iPhone 15 Pro, for example, it would be probably best not to switch to the vanilla iPhone 17, but check out its bigger siblings.
Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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