As Apple’s annual September launch event draws closer, anticipation is rapidly building for the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series. With numerous leaks and industry whispers painting a clearer picture, the question looms large: How significant will the gap be between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro? From subtle design changes to major performance and camera distinctions, the upcoming lineup is expected to present major points of change, thus influencing purchasing decisions across various needs and budgets.
Let’s dive into the rumoured specifications to understand where Apple might draw the line between its mainstream and professional-grade smartphones.
Design and build
In terms of design, the iPhone 17 series will likely maintain the overall aesthetic of its predecessors, with the iPhone 17 Pro expected to feature an Android-inspired rectangular camera decor. However, there are rumoured differences in materials. While the iPhone 16 Pro models featured a titanium frame, leaks suggest Apple might revert to an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro models, possibly to simplify manufacturing or achieve specific weight goals. The standard iPhone 17 would also utilise an aluminum frame. The Action Button and Camera Control button are expected to be present across the lineup.
Display
Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models are tipped to feature 120Hz ProMotion OLED displays. For the iPhone 17, this would be a significant upgrade, bringing it on par with the iPhone 17 Pro’s experience. However, the Pro models are still expected to maintain an edge in other display aspects. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are likely to offer brighter panels with potentially more advanced features such as improved anti-glare coating and more vibrant HDR content.
Performance
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are widely expected to be powered by Apple’s next-generation A19 Pro chipset. This new chip, built on advanced 3nm manufacturing processes, should offer significant boosts in processing power and graphical capabilities. The Pro models are also rumoured to come with 12GB of RAM, a step up from the 8GB RAM on older models.
In contrast, the standard iPhone 17 is rumored to use the A18 SoC, which is found in the current iPhone 16 Pro models. While still powerful, this strategic choice creates a clear performance hierarchy, thus justifying an upgrade to the Pro models. The Pro models should be able to offer superior AI performance and even faster raw processing.
Camera systems
A major upgrade for all models is expected for the front-facing selfie camera, which is rumored to jump to 24MP. This should provide significantly clearer and more detailed selfies and improved video call quality across the board.
For the rear cameras, the standard iPhone 17 is expected to feature a dual-camera setup, likely maintaining its 48MP main sensor with improved ultrawide capabilities. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, however, are rumored to introduce a triple 48MP camera setup, encompassing wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. The setup should introduce 8K video recording, a first for iPhones.
Battery
Both models are expected to benefit from the efficiency improvements of their respective new chips and iOS 26’s enhancements, thereby leading to good all-day battery life. Fast charging capabilities will also be standard on all models for both wired and wireless ways, according to leaks.
Expected pricing in India
The standard iPhone 17 is expected to launch at around Rs 79,999 – a price point consistent with its predecessor, partly due to the use of the older A18 chip. However, rumours also hint at the possibility of a price hike of Rs 10,000 for this generation.
In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to see a greater price increase. Leaks suggest a minimum hike of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 over the previous generation. This would place the iPhone 17 Pro potentially starting around Rs 1,39,900.
