iPhone 17 release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades

Dear PhoneArena readers, my wish is for you to have at your disposal all of the available information – be it leaks, credible rumors, or just my educated (or wild) guesses – for the 2025 iPhone.

I realize the iPhone 17 unveiling is more than a year ahead in time, but if you get the picture clear enough, you'll be able to make an informed decision, like:



In essence, apart from discussing what the tech world holds for tomorrow (something that's always fun to do), I want to save you some hard-earned money. Enough with the motivational speech part, though.

The iPhone 17 might turn out to be the most important series of Apple phones in a long time.

With the iPhone 17, we might get a whole galaxy of cutting-edge technology, neat features, and excellent Apple experience.

Don't tell me you're not at least a bit thrilled by the possibility of using a mind-blowing 2nm chipset in the iPhone 17: for reference, the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (found in extremely capable phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra) is a 4nm one. The lower the "nm" number, the better overall experience!

Or, if you desire beautiful, sleek phones above all, I can't imagine you'll pass by the possible iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air without taking a second to check it out.

Next year, we're about to witness how Apple will most probably ditch the Plus model and instead replace it with an ultra-thin smartphone that's going to get one of the three following monikers:

• iPhone 17 Slim
• iPhone 17 Ultra
• iPhone 17 Air

Whatever the name, the discussed device could be as thin as ~5mm, which is pretty respectable.

Overall, the iPhone 17 line should get pretty thin bezels, bright and big displays, and exciting enough haptics to make a street cat purr.

Apple's 2025 phones should arrive with pretty respectable cameras (especially for video), with a hardware/software update here and there, and the obligatory periscope cameras (for the Pro models).

Of course, iOS 19 is reserved for the iPhone 17 line. This means big time AI. For real, this time. That's because the already-announced Apple Intelligence set of features will arrive in 2024 with iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 line, but they won't be in full motion until 2025. I expect things to sorted out and perfected further with iOS 19 and the 17 lineup.

So, how big the screen on the iPhone 17 is going to be? What will the price be? What kinds of software features and camera setups to expect on the iPhone 17? Will the vanilla model have a big battery? What about the Pro Max variant? What's the deal with the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air: is it just a glorified toy, or a powerhouse?

Scroll down and find out!

The current champion – iPhone 16, as intriguing as it may seem right now, may not be everyone's weapon of choice.

So, if for whatever reason you feel like the iPhone 16 just doesn't quite cut it for you and your needs – and there isn't a shortage of such reasons – and you're interested in the iPhone 17, be sure to bookmark this page. We'll update it regularly with credible leaks, rumors and insider information that will roll out (first) gradually (then suddenly) in the months to come.

Ah, that sweet ABBA refrain: Money, Money, Money...!

The iPhone price is such a delicate topic. It's every bit as important as the phone's specs itself.

So far, price hikes are expected to slam the iPhone 17 Pro, but that pales in comparison to the rumored cost of the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air.

Here, take a look:

As you can see from the table above (it represents the most recent leaks on the matter), the iPhone 17 will start at $799.

This doesn't sound that bad, but my gut feeling tells there could be a price hike.

The iPhone Pro could be priced at $1,099 and up – a notable jump from the $999 price tag of the 16 Pro and the 15 Pro.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max will presumably keep the current starting price of $1,199.

As rumored, the iPhone Slim\Ultra\Air will be the most expensive model of the four will a price tag of $1,299. This is simply insane, if all there's to it is the fact that it's slimmer than the regular iPhone 17. As we've noted on previous occasions, the leaked iPhone 17 Slim specs are nothing special; Apple is counting on the design to win over consumers.

This, however, won't matter a bit to people who will fall in love with the 17 Slim\Ultra\Air, if it materializes in 2025.

There isn't a shortage of people who are obsessed with the way things are on the outside, not inside. It's like those who buy a Ferrari and complain that it can't fit a bandsaw and a dead deer the way a Ford F-150 can: I mean, nobody complains about that.

Besides, there is this distinct group of buyers who want to pay premium just to go and then brag about it.

When it comes to mobile photography, I'm on team Android (don't assume that equates to a Galaxy, though!). However, I can't bend the truth and deny that iPhones take amazing photos – most of all, I like the consistency of the iPhone-made photos.

That's why the iPhone 17 camera setup is among the most important specs of the phone itself.

Looking ahead to 2025, all four iPhone 17 models are expected to feature an upgraded front-facing camera with a 24MP image sensor and six plastic lens elements, an improvement from the current 12MP camera with five elements found on the iPhone 15 line.

This is great news, because an enhanced selfie snapper will make the iPhone 17 line even more appealing to those who love taking photos of themselves.

The iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air will most likely pack a variable aperture for its rear-sided camera. So far, rumors have it that this will be an exclusive feature for the costliest iPhone 17 phone, while the rest of the line won't get it. This is impressive, given that the Slim\Ultra\Air model will be thinner than the rest of the gang.

The lens aperture in a camera functions like an adjustable eye, controlling the amount of light that enters. It can widen to let in more light for darker scenes or narrow to reduce light in brighter conditions. A larger aperture (low f-number) creates a blurred background, ideal for portraits, while a smaller aperture (high f-number) keeps everything in focus, making it suitable for landscapes.

Traditional smartphone cameras usually have a fixed aperture, limiting control over light exposure. This can result in overexposed or underexposed images in varying lighting conditions.

A variable aperture allows photographers to adjust the lens opening based on the environment. In bright light, a smaller aperture can prevent overexposure, while in low light, a larger aperture can capture more detail and reduce noise. This adaptability ensures consistently better photos in different lighting.

Additionally, variable apertures offer creative flexibility. Users can adjust the aperture to control depth of field—larger apertures create a shallow depth of field for portrait shots with blurred backgrounds, while smaller apertures increase depth of field, keeping landscapes sharp.

The ability to change aperture also enables artistic experimentation. Photographers can achieve effects like starbursts with smaller apertures or soft, dreamy backgrounds with larger ones, bringing a level of creative control to mobile photography that was once exclusive to advanced cameras like DSLRs or mirrorless models.

That's why I won't be surprised if the same setup makes it to the iPhone 17.

Minus the selfie camera, of course – we've just talked about how the latest rumor is that we should get a 24MP sensor.

However, the fact that I won't be surprised, doesn't mean that the iPhone 17's cameras should stay the same. 12MP for the ultra-wide in 2025 is a downright violation of any moral codes of the tech industry, if they even exist. So, I'm waiting for the rumors to pour in.

Also, I won't scoff at a new sensor for the main camera. A bigger one, I mean. It's cool to capture 2X zoom photos by simply cropping in the camera sensor, so a bigger sensor will be a major benefit for the vanilla iPhone 17. That's what the iPhone 16/16 Plus offer: a 2X toggle that will use sensor cropping to deliver lossless zoom. The digital zoom goes up to 10x, if you're taking shots of objects in the distance.

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 Slim\Ultra\Air: 48MP main, 24MP selfie

That's not a typo. For the time being, the rumors have it that the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air will come with a single camera on its back with a 48MP sensor. According to prominent Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo the Cupertino giant will skip the ultra-wide and telephoto units.

However, it'll probably pack a variable aperture, as mentioned above. It's something, I guess. Although, if it was up to me, I'd trade the variable aperture for a dedicated telephoto unit.

On the front, the newcomer in the iPhone 17 line should pack the same 24MP selfie camera.

• iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: 48MP main, 48MP, Ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (5x), 24MP selfie

Now we talkin'! Once you enter the iPhone Pro league, photography gets far more exciting.

Don't expect to pick up the iPhone Pro and start shooting like world-famous photographers Herb Ritts or Richard Avedon, just because your phone has a Pro stamp on it, though.

Having better camera hardware (larger sensors, more megapixels, better lenses) is not to be neglected. After all, you're paying top dollar for the Pro and Pro Max!

The iPhone 16 Pro was expected to upgrade to a custom 48MP IMX903 sensor for the main camera, larger than the previous in size (1/1.14" vs 1/1.28"). It's a pity it didn't happen, as bigger sensors are preferable because they gather light easier and render the background better (as in: the separation between the subject and the background is more pronounced).

Also, the new sensor for the main camera will potentially feature a stacked design, 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for lossless image quality, and Digital Gain Control for improved dynamic range and reduced noise. This should make it to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

The new 48MP ultra-wide camera (0.7µm pixel size and a 1/2.6" sensor) that we're optimistic about on the iPhone 16 Pros should also be transferred to the iPhone 17 Pros. This camera is a significant upgrade from the 12MP ultra-wide camera with 1.0µm pixels and a 1/3.6" sensor used previously.

However, the best thing about the iPhone 16 Pro is that features the tetraprism telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I'm pretty sure it will find its way to the standard-sized iPhone 17 Pro, as well.

Finally, the ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) anti-glare coating (suggested for the iPhone 16 Pro cameras) should also be found on the iPhone 17 Pro duo. The ALD coating is great for reducing lens flare, enhancing night photography.

Ever wondered why your photo is suddenly full of odd, artificial lights when you try to take a shot of a street lamp at night, for example? It's precisely because of poor lens coating.

On the video side, I don't expect Apple to let down its fan base. Once again, I expect class-leading video capabilities of the iPhone. With the iPhone 16 Pro models, we now get mind-blowing 4K video recording at 120 fps in Dolby Vision, providing the highest resolution and frame rate combination ever available on an iPhone. I expect it on the 17 line as well!

The thing I'm most curious about is what software goodies will enhance the iPhone 17's cameras. Will it rely heavily on AI? My bet is: oh, yes.

Without a doubt, when it comes to the design throughout the iPhone 17 line, the most interesting (by far) is the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air. This bad boy won't impress with its raw performance and hardware specs (as I mentioned above); instead, it'll be all about the way it looks. A looker, if you will: a triumph of the exterior over the interior.

As the name suggests, this iPhone should be slim (but not shady). How thin? That, as the poet says, is the question.

My personal view is that if Apple is able to make the iPad Pro M4 (2024) to be 5.1mm thin – amazing! – it should be able to do the same with the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, for reference, measures 8.25mm. So, even if the iPhone 17 Pro Max gets all fit and lean down to around 7mm, the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air should still be noticeably thinner at ~5mm.

I don't think Apple can afford to make the Slim\Ultra\Air any thicker than 5mm.

Why? Well, because there are already foldables at our disposal that are 5mm thin – and below! For example, the just-released Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 5.1mm when unfolded.

Not to mention the Honor Magic V3 – an absolute miracle of a foldable that's claimed to be the thinnest of them all, measuring just 4.35mm when unfolded.

So, come the Fall of 2025, if I feel the sudden urge to get an incredibly thin phone and I see that Apple releases the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air that's more than 5mm thick, I simply won't buy it. Not at the rumored $1,299 price tag.

Instead, I'll just get one of the aforementioned foldables (on a deal, hehe) – this is how I'll rock a truly thin phone and I'll enjoy a huge display.

When it comes to the rest of the iPhone 17 line-up, I've learned not to expect major changes. Or even minor ones. I hope that we finally get to see a different iPhone in 2025 – even if it's an ugly one. At this point, I don't care, as long as it's not the same iPhone we've been getting for years now.

Sorry, but a new button here or there (yes, I'm talking about the otherwise highly practical Action button) is not what I have in mind when I think of "a design change".

– Hi, is this Apple? Yeah, well, can I have a design change for the next iPhone?
– So, you want a new button on your iPhone?
– No, thanks.
– How about a new button?
– But I've got the Action button already; please stop.
– How would you like a… Capture button?
– Oh, dear.

Truth to be told, the Camera Control button that landed on the iPhone 16 line is a nice touch – that's just me and my mobile photography obsession speaking, though. If you're after the iPhone because it's sleek and stylish, I'm afraid adding another button won't do any good for keeping things stylish.

Unless you're into some cool steampunk aesthetics.

The Camera Control button that debuted on the iPhone 16 series will do more than just the usual "click". Just as rumors foretold, it offers also zoom and focus controls. Sources were right to tell this button is not just a standard mechanical one; it’s touch-sensitive as well. Users will be able to 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 would capture the image or start recording.

Additionally, users might be able to swipe left or right on the button to zoom in or out. Unlike many smartphones that use volume keys for zooming, Apple’s approach could allow users to keep their finger on the Capture button, potentially enhancing convenience.

My guess is that the Capture button will find its way to the 17 series.

Also, I think that the super-thin bezels that debuted on the iPhone 16 line will also be found on the 17.

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.

As far as colors go, nothing is certain so far. If we use the current iPhone 16 hue rumors, this means that the 17 might come in:

I think that the iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air will come in a few exclusive color options – this is how the premium model gets even more special!

I'm bugged by the 1260 x 2740 px resolution of the potential iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air – this is lower than the 1290 x 2796 resolution of the iPhone 15 Pro Max display. It's not that much lower, but I personally find it hilarious that the most expensive iPhone in 2025 will have a display with fewer pixels than an iPhone from 2023.

Be it as it may, let's hope this will change in the coming year.

So, the vanilla iPhone 17 will grow slightly in size with its rumored 6.27-inch display. On the 15 series, it was a 6.12-inch one (as on the iPhone 16).

This year, the iPhone 16 Pro duo gets larger. My guess is that the 6.27-inch display for the (16 Pro) and the 6.86-inch display (for the 16 Pro Max) will be reused on the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. This is a notable departure from the 6.12-inch display of the 15 Pro and the 6.69-inch display of the 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are set to feature larger LTPO OLED displays with ultra-thin bezels, so iPhone 17 can't complain. Like all Pro models since the iPhone 13, these displays will support a smooth 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, enhancing the scrolling experience. Additionally, there’s speculation that these displays might offer significantly higher peak brightness.

The Dynamic Island punch-hole will continue to be a key feature across the iPhone 16 lineup, but rumors suggest it might be slightly smaller this time. Apple is reportedly switching to a new supplier for Face ID modules, which could be more compact, allowing for a smaller Dynamic Island.

However, if 90Hz and 120Hz don't arrive for the vanilla iPhone 17 and the premium iPhone 17 Slim\Ultra\Air, it would be a tech tragedy.

We're still strictly in the rumors' territory; nothing is off (and on) the table, so we can speculate a bit: