Apple iPhone 17 series: What to know about the release date, cost and features

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LOS ANGELES - Apple’s iPhone 17 series could bring some of the most significant design and hardware changes in years, according to multiple reports and analysts.

The reveal is expected Sept. 9, with four models replacing the current lineup: the iPhone 17, the slimmer iPhone 17 Air, and the flagship iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Preorders are likely to start Sept. 13, with devices shipping around Sept. 19.

New design and materials

The most visible change could be on the backs of the Pro models. MacRumors reports that Apple may replace the square camera bump with a horizontal camera bar spanning the width of the phone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the bar is expected to match the body color, keeping the look seamless.

Apple may also move away from titanium in favor of aluminum, paired with a half-glass, half-aluminum rear for durability while preserving wireless charging. This change could open the door to more vibrant color options, including a rumored bright orange or copper.

What we know:

These changes point to Apple aiming for both a visual refresh and functional upgrades, with design tweaks supporting bigger batteries, better displays, and higher-resolution cameras across the Pro lineup.

• The iPhone 17 Pro Max could be thicker than last year’s model to fit a larger battery.
• All four models may get Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion display, with the Pro versions also featuring a more scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating.
• The A19 Pro chip is expected in Pro models, built on a 3-nanometer process for faster speeds and better efficiency.
• All three rear cameras on the Pro models are rumored to have 48-megapixel sensors.

What we don't know:

It’s unclear whether Apple will extend always-on display support to all models or keep it exclusive to Pro devices.

FILE - Apple iPhone 16 are seen on display at an Apple store on April 04, 2025 in New York, New York.  (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Final pricing for the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air is unknown, and Apple hasn’t confirmed if the bold orange Pro color will be part of the launch lineup.

The backstory:

Apple typically keeps its iPhone design language steady for a few years before introducing major changes. The last big shift came with the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium frame and smaller bezels. Now, the rumored horizontal camera bar would mark Apple’s most significant rear redesign since the iPhone X introduced the vertical dual camera in 2017.

Replacing titanium with aluminum could also mark a return to lighter-weight materials. The iPhone 17 Air, replacing the Plus, is rumored to be Apple’s thinnest large-screen iPhone yet, possibly just 5.5mm thick, which may require titanium reinforcement.

By the numbers:

Apple’s current iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for 256GB of storage. Analysts at Jeffries and GF Securities predict the iPhone 17 Pro could start at $1,049 — up $50 from the previous generation — but with base storage doubled from 128GB to 256GB.

If the Pro Max battery grows to 5,000mAh as Forbes reports, it would be the largest in iPhone history. The lineup is also expected to offer four distinct display sizes for the first time, with the Air positioned between the Pro and Pro Max.