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iPhone 17 release date: how soon is it coming?

From the likely announcement to preorders and in-store availability, here’s how the schedule is shaping up.

By Tsveta Ermenkova

Published: Jul 29, 2025, 9:04 AM

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A photo showing four iPhone 17 models next to each other.

iPhone 17 series. | Image by Majin Bu

If you are an Apple fan, you probably already know what time it is. Yep, we are getting closer to that moment of the year again – new iPhones incoming.

The iPhone 17 series, including the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, is expected to drop this fall. Yep, if Apple sticks to its usual playbook, we already have a pretty good idea of when the big day is coming and if you are wondering exactly when that will be, you are in the right spot.

iPhone 17 launch timeline: key dates to watch

Let’s get straight to it – Tuesday, September 9 or Wednesday, September 10 is looking like the most likely date for Apple’s next big iPhone event. Why? Because it fits Apple’s long-running pattern perfectly.

Since the iPhone 7 in 2016, Apple’s stuck to early September unveilings almost every year. The only time the Cupertino tech giant broke the rhythm was in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, when the iPhone 12 launch got split into two waves: first came the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro and a bit later, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

But aside from that, Apple’s timing has been rock solid. So if the iPhone 17 gets unveiled on Sept 9 or 10, preorders would likely go live on Friday – either September 12 or 19, depending on which day the event happens. And if that happens, the phones should start shipping and landing in your hands the following Friday, most likely September 19 or September 26.

How the iPhone 17 release compares to previous years

To get a better idea of what to expect, I think it helps to look at how Apple has handled iPhone launches in recent years. So, here is a quick comparison to see how the iPhone 17 fits into the usual pattern.

Device family	Announcement	Market release
iPhone 17 series	September 9 or 10, 2025*	September 19 or 26, 2025*
iPhone 16 series	September 9, 2024	September 20, 2024
iPhone 15 series	September 12, 2023	September 22, 2023
iPhone 14 series	September 7, 2022	September 16, 2022
iPhone 13 series	September 14, 2021	September 24, 2021
iPhone 12 series	October 13, 2020	October 23/November 13, 2020
iPhone 11 series	September 10, 2019	September 20, 2019

*probable dates

Will all iPhone 17 models launch at the same time?

The Pro models could look quite different this time. | Image credit – Majin Bu

Short answer: most of them, yes.

If we are talking about the main iPhone 17 lineup – including the regular iPhone 17, the brand-new iPhone 17 Air, and the higher-end Pro and Pro Max models – they should all drop at the same time this September.

So, yes, don’t expect an iPhone 17 Plus this year. Apple is ditching the larger non-Pro model altogether and giving us something lighter and thinner instead. That’s where the new Air model comes in.

But there is one more model missing from the fall party: the iPhone 17e. This is expected to be the follow-up to the iPhone 16e, which already replaced the SE line as Apple’s budget option.

That one is expected to drop separately, most likely in spring 2026. So yeah, you’ll probably need to wait a few extra months if you are holding out for the budget option.

What does this all mean for you?

If you are eyeing an upgrade, you won’t have to wait much longer. By early September, Apple will likely have the iPhone 17 lineup up for preorder and by late September, it should be in your hands.

And with some pretty solid upgrades expected – like improved cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, more RAM across the lineup, and hopefully (finally!) higher refresh rates on the regular models – not to mention the thinner and lighter Air version, the wait could actually be worth it.

But even if you are not buying a new iPhone, September still brings something big: iOS 26. That stable version of the update is expected to roll out alongside the iPhone 17 launch and it includes the new Liquid Glass look. So, if your iPhone supports it – and if you’ve got anything from an iPhone 11 or newer, it does – you’ll still get something fresh and fun to play with.

iOS 26 Public Beta hands-on: Liquid Glass is back in the front seat

So yeah, whether you are planning to upgrade, waiting to see what Apple brings to the table, or just watching from the sidelines, September is when it all goes down.

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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.

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