Apple’s iPhone 17 series is already creating buzz months ahead of its expected September 2025 launch event. From a new selfie camera upgrade to design overhauls in the Pro lineup and an all-new iPhone 17 Air model, leaks suggest that Apple could be planning one of its most interesting updates in recent years. However, alongside these features, reports also hint at a possible price hike, driven not only by new technology but also by shifting global production and rising tariffs. Here are all the details based on the leaks and rumours.
iPhone 17, Pro, Air, Pro Max: Design changes, new Air model, and display upgrades
While the standard iPhone 17 may retain much of the iPhone 16’s design, including the USB-C port and Action Button, Apple is reportedly revamping the Pro variants with a more modern look. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could adopt a new rectangular camera module that stretches across the back and introduce softer, rounded edges.
Perhaps the most interesting addition could be the iPhone 17 Air, which may replace the Plus model. Expected to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, the Air is said to be 2mm slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro, and sport a large 6.6-inch screen. The Pro Max could retain a 6.9-inch display, while the regular iPhone 17 is tipped to get a size bump from 6.1 to 6.3 inches. Leaks also hint that 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate may come to all models, not just the Pro line, along with improved anti-reflective screen coating. The new iPhone 17 Air could come with a 6.6-inch display.
iPhone 17, Pro, Air, Pro Max: Camera could get a major boost
One of the most talked-about upgrades is in the selfie department. Apple may double the front camera resolution to 24-megapixel on the iPhone 17, up from 12-megapixel seen on the iPhone 16. This is likely to make selfies more detailed and clear. The base model is expected to feature a 48-megapixel primary sensor at the back, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max might feature triple 48-megapixel sensors — wide, ultra-wide and telephoto — with possible support for 8K video recording. This would be the first time Apple introduces triple 48-megapixel cameras on an iPhone. The rest of the details are under wraps.
iPhone 17, Pro, Air, Pro Max: Performance, battery, and charging leaks
The Pro models are likely to get Apple’s next-gen A19 Pro chip, while the standard iPhone 17 may use the same A18 chip used in the iPhone 16 series. RAM may also see a boost, 12GB for the Pro Max and up to 8GB for the base models. Battery life could see an improvement with larger batteries to match the increased screen sizes. As of now, the exact details on the battery sizes are unknown. Apple is also said to be working on 35W fast charging, which while still slower than many Android rivals, would be a welcome step up. The Pro Max could get better thermal performance as well, thanks to a new vapour chamber and graphite-based cooling system. More details on these areas are expected to be revealed soon.
iPhone 17, Pro, Air, Pro Max: Expected launch date, release timeline
As of now, there is no launch date for the upcoming iPhones. We will likely start getting details on the same after about 2 months because the event is about 3 months away. If Apple sticks to its usual cycle, the iPhone 17 lineup will likely be announced in early to mid-September 2025, followed by availability later that month. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 17e, a rumoured budget model, could arrive in early 2026 instead. This is likely because the iPhone 16e was recently introduced in India.
iPhone 17 price leaks: Tariffs, Apple’s India focus, and price uncertainty
The base iPhone 17 is expected to retain its starting price around Rs 79,999 in India, similar to previous models like the iPhone 12 through iPhone 16. This consistency could continue if Apple decides to keep the entry-level model largely unchanged internally, using the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16.
However, price hikes are being considered for the Pro and new Air models, according to a report by Counterpoint Research. The increase may be driven by rising production costs and looming US tariffs, which are expected to impact Apple’s supply chain and global pricing strategy.
The new iPhone 17 Air, which could sit between the base and Pro models, is likely to carry a premium price, possibly starting around Rs 89,999. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could become even more expensive, with a possible jump of at least Rs 5,000, something which happened with the iPhone 15 Pro models. The price increase will depend on the final hardware upgrades and global pricing shifts.
Apple has not officially raised base iPhone model prices in India since the iPhone 12, but with improved cameras, new materials and performance upgrades in the Pro line, a price correction seems likely this year. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max were announced at a price lower than the iPhone 15 Pro models. Still, with several iPhone models now being assembled in India, Apple may keep pricing more stable here compared to markets like the US or Europe.