Apple is preparing to unveil its upcoming iPhone 17 series in September this year. In addition to the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Plus, rumors suggest that the company may introduce a brand-new model under the name iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to debut alongside the rest of the lineup. The iPhone 17 Air introduces a sleeker and more refined form factor, but it’s not intended to serve as a direct successor to the now-retired Plus variant. Rather, it marks a fresh and distinct entry in Apple’s expanding iPhone range.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what to expect from Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max launch date:
Apple traditionally unveils its latest iPhones early in the second week of September, typically choosing a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday for the big reveal. For context, the iPhone 16 was introduced on Monday, September 9, 2024; the iPhone 15 made its debut on Tuesday, September 5, 2023; the iPhone 14 was revealed on Wednesday, September 7, 2022; and the iPhone 13 was announced on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
SpFollowing the pattern, pre-orders usually begin that same week on Friday, with official sales kicking off the following Friday. Based on this consistent schedule, it’s likely that Apple will announce the iPhone 17 series between September 8 and 10 this year. Pre-orders are expected to go live on Friday, September 12, with the devices hitting store shelves on Friday, September 19.
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max price:
According to Counterpoint Research, the projected growth for global smartphone shipments in 2025 has been downgraded to 1.9% year-over-year, a drop from the earlier estimate of 4.2%. The revision is being attributed to ongoing concerns about potential U.S. tariffs. The report notes that expectations for both Apple and Samsung have been scaled back, as rising production costs are likely to be transferred to consumers—potentially dampening demand. This downward adjustment comes even though the current tariff outlook is less severe than previously feared.
Over the last few years, Apple has typically stuck to a consistent entry-level price for its base iPhone models. If this trend continues, the standard iPhone 17 is likely to launch in India with a starting price near Rs 79,900. That said, this is only a preliminary estimate and not an official announcement—there’s still a possibility that the final pricing could increase once the new series is formally introduced.
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications:
All four upcoming iPhone 17 models are expected to feature OLED panels boasting higher brightness levels and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate for smoother visuals. The standard iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air are likely to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are anticipated to come equipped with the more advanced A19 Pro processor.
On the camera front, all variants in the lineup are rumored to include an improved 24MP front-facing camera. At the back, the iPhone 17 Air might sport a single 48MP main sensor, while the regular iPhone 17 could offer a dual-camera configuration. The Pro models are expected to come with a sophisticated triple 48MP lens array, capable of capturing up to 8K video and offering up to 7x optical zoom.
