These could be the specs of the iPhone 17 – including the new iPhone 17 Air model
Apple’s iPhone 17 launch is still months away, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from churning out possible specs for the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We’ve already heard about new camera upgrades, a more powerful chip, and an expected price hike for the top-end models, but there’s also talk of a new ‘Air’ version that would slot in beneath the standard iPhone 17.
iPhone 17: Release Date
Apple usually releases new iPhones in September, so the iPhone 17 range is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2024. Specifically, an iPhone 17 announcement event may take place on September 12, 2024, and release in stores the following week. We’ve yet to hear anything official from Apple, however, so take this as pure speculation.
iPhone 17: Specs & Features
Here’s a rundown of the expected specs and features for the iPhone 17 range, based on what we’ve heard so far.
iPhone 17 & iPhone 17 Plus
* **Display:** A16 Bionic (from iPhone 15 Pro) or A17 Bionic chip
* **Camera:** 48MP main camera, possibly with periscope zoom, with the Plus version likely getting a different setup
* **Storage:** 128GB base model, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options
* **Other features:** USB-C, thicker chassis, Apple Watch Ultra-style Action button
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max
* **Display:** A17 Bionic chip
* **Camera:** 48MP main camera, possibly with periscope zoom, ultra-wide sensor upgrades, new solid-state buttons and improved battery life,
* **Storage:** 256GB base model, 512GB, and 1TB options
* **Other features:** USB-C, thicker chassis, Apple Watch Ultra-style Action button, titanium chassis
* **Extra for iPhone 17 Pro Max:** Periscope lens with 5x-10x optical zoom
iPhone 17 Air
* **Display:** Likely the same 6.1-inch OLED panel found in the iPhone 15
* **Camera:** Improved selfie camera, possibly 12MP ultrawide front camera
* **Storage:** 128GB, 256GB options, with up to 512GB potential
* **Other features:** Likely same as standard iPhone 17 models, with less premium components in the frame and battery
iPhone 17: Price
Rumours suggest Apple will be bumping up the price of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. A $100 price hike would mean a starting price of $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro, and $1,199 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. While these figures are not confirmed, the higher costs may reflect Apple’s effort to compete with Samsung’s high-end models, especially with Samsung adding features to their latest Galaxy S series and new Foldable range.
We are yet to hear any indication of the price of the iPhone 17, 17 Plus, or 17 Air, although it’s reasonable to expect an increase across all models due to rising production costs and materials. It’s plausible that the iPhone 17 Air would fall somewhere between the SE series and the standard iPhone 17 price-wise.
Other Expected Features of iPhone 17:
* **Thicker design:** The iPhone 17 models are expected to have a slightly thicker chassis due to the increased size of the batteries, camera modules and other components. The new thicker frames, combined with higher-capacity batteries, would hopefully provide the battery life users expect.
* **Improved Battery Life:** Apple’s move towards higher-capacity batteries means that the new iPhones are likely to see better battery life compared to the previous generation models, especially for iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 models, are predicted to offer improved battery life from improved power management through software, potentially even using new software features for a longer battery life.
* **USB-C Port:** All four new iPhone 17 models will likely be moving to USB-C charging ports, as dictated by EU regulations.
Summary: iPhone 17’s Big Changes
We’ve been hearing more about the iPhone 17 lineup and it’s looking likely that these phones will be packing some powerful upgrades:
* **Improved Cameras:** New image sensors and software improvements are expected across all iPhone 17 models with an emphasis on better video recording.
* **New Action Button:** All four new models are said to ditch the mute switch and replace it with a solid-state “action button” that would have the functionality of a programmable button for multiple functions like opening camera, launching flashlight or opening any app.
* **Stronger Processing Power:** Apple’s A17 Bionic chip is anticipated for the iPhone 17 Pro, and maybe even the iPhone 17, although the 17 Air may receive the older A16.
iPhone 17 Release Date Predictions
Though a new iPhone 17 announcement and subsequent release date are just around the corner, this year’s iPhones have received less leak coverage than usual. Apple has clearly tightened up the leak situation and is actively fighting back. While we can make predictions based on the typical release schedule, things are quite uncertain at the moment, but one thing’s for sure – this time next year, the tech world will be talking about iPhone 17’s new features and improvements!
