Apple’s next major iPhone launch is still a few months away, but leaks around the iPhone 17 series have already given us a fair idea of what to expect. The company is expected to unveil the new lineup in September 2025, continuing its usual launch schedule. This time, Apple may introduce a new model called the iPhone 17 Air, alongside the regular iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and Pro Max. Here is a look at the leaked design, battery, display, camera, launch timeline and other details.
iPhone 17, 17 Pro launch soon: Design, camera, battery, price, release date, everything else expected
New model and design tweaks
One of the key highlights could be the arrival of the iPhone 17 Air. If reports are accurate, this new variant might replace the Plus model and offer a slimmer profile, around 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro. It is also said to feature a 6.6-inch display. Meanwhile, the regular iPhone 17 could see a slight bump in screen size from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. The Pro Max is likely to retain its 6.9-inch display.
The Pro models may also get a refreshed look, including a redesigned camera layout that stretches across the width of the back panel. Moreover, softer, rounded corners are expected to make the phones look more refined compared to last year’s models.
Camera upgrades across models
On the camera front, Apple may finally upgrade the front camera on the iPhone 17, moving from a 12-megapixel to a 24-megapixel sensor. This could improve both selfie quality and video clarity. The standard model may stick to a single 48-megapixel rear main sensor in a dual camera setup. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is said to include three 48-megapixel sensors for main, ultra-wide, and telephoto, with support for 8K video recording.
Performance and battery improvements?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are tipped to run on Apple’s next-gen A19 Pro chip, offering better processing and graphics capabilities. The regular iPhone 17 might use the A18 chip that currently powers the iPhone 16. RAM is likely to go up as well, with 12GB for the top model and up to 8GB for the base variants.
Battery sizes are also expected to grow to support the larger screens. This is especially expected with the standard model because of the bigger display rumoured for it. Apple could also introduce 35W fast charging this year, which would be a noticeable improvement. There are also talks of a new vapour chamber cooling system in the Pro Max to handle performance under heavy use.
Leaked price and launch details
The iPhone 17 is likely to launch in India with a familiar starting price of around Rs 79,999, continuing Apple’s pricing trend seen from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 16. If the internal hardware on the base model remains largely unchanged, including the A18 chip, this price is unlikely to shift.
On the other hand, the upcoming Pro models could see a price bump. A Counterpoint Research report suggests that increased production costs and expected US tariffs may influence Apple’s overall pricing strategy this year. The iPhone 17 Air, positioned between the regular and Pro variants, might start at around Rs 89,999, while the Pro and Pro Max could become pricier by at least Rs 5,000, similar to the previous trend seen with the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Although the base model price has remained untouched for a few years, the enhancements in materials, performance, and camera tech for the higher-end models could prompt a revision. However, since Apple now assembles more devices locally in India, the final price tags here may still be more stable than in global markets like the US and Europe.
As for the official launch date, Apple is expected to hold its event in early or mid-September 2025. A more affordable iPhone 17e model is also rumoured to arrive next year, but that may launch in early 2026. More concrete information is expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
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