Apple is widely expected to unveil four iPhone 17 models on September 9, 2025, with a new ultra-thin “Air” replacing the Plus, 120Hz finally coming to the base model, and the Pro pair tipped for bigger camera and performance gains. All details remain unannounced, but multiple reports outline how each device could differ.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 17 may gain a 120Hz display and a larger 6.27-inch screen with slimmer bezels.
- All models are rumored to upgrade to a 24MP front camera with a six-element lens.
- Charging could jump to up to 35W wired, with Qi 2.2 enabling as much as 50W wireless on supported chargers.
- Chip split: iPhone 17 may keep last year’s processor, while 17 Air moves to A19 and Pro models to A19 Pro with 12GB RAM.
- iPhone 17 Air reportedly goes ultra‑thin (as slim as 5.5mm), uses Apple’s C1 modem, and may be eSIM‑only in some markets.
- iPhone 17 Air is tipped to have a single 48MP rear camera and a smaller 2,900mAh battery.
- Pro/Pro Max: 48MP telephoto with up to 8x zoom, vapor‑chamber cooling, reverse wireless charging, and aluminum frames.
- Lineup change: the Air model replaces the Plus after slow sales.
Verified Facts (from consistent reporting)
Display and cameras are the headline shifts. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to adopt a 120Hz panel for the first time, closing a long-standing gap with Pro models dating back to 2021. The screen may grow to about 6.27 inches, suggesting narrower bezels. Across the lineup, the selfie camera is rumored to jump from 12MP to 24MP with a six‑element lens for sharper, cleaner self‑portraits.
Charging speeds are widely tipped to rise. Reports point to up to 35W via USB‑C, a notable step up from Apple’s official 20W support today. On the wireless side, Taiwanese regulatory filings and ecosystem chatter indicate Qi 2.2 compatibility, potentially allowing up to 50W charging with compliant accessories—double the 25W figure currently referenced.
Design tweaks vary by model. Renders and dummy units point to a refreshed back on the iPhone 17 with a glass area around the MagSafe ring and Apple logo, while keeping an aluminum frame. The Pro pair may shift away from titanium to aluminum, while adding vapor‑chamber cooling to stabilize performance under sustained loads.
Silicon may split three ways. Multiple reports say iPhone 17 could retain the prior‑gen chip, the new Air could move to A19 (possibly with a trimmed GPU), and the Pro models would step up to a 3nm A19 Pro plus a RAM increase to 12GB to bolster Apple Intelligence and graphics throughput.
Context & Impact
Bringing 120Hz to the base model would modernize Apple’s entry price point and reduce a key spec gap with Android rivals. If accurate, it also simplifies Apple’s display story across the range: smoother scrolling and higher frame‑rate support for more users.
The rumored “Air” strategy swaps sheer battery capacity for a thinner, lighter device—an appeal to design‑first buyers. However, the reported 2,900mAh battery and single‑day endurance concerns may push heavy users toward the Pro models, where larger batteries and new cooling could better sustain performance and longevity.
For photographers, a 48MP telephoto on Pro devices—completing an all‑48MP rear trio—would sharpen zoom detail and flexibility. Combined with reverse wireless charging and faster wired/wireless top‑ups, the Pro line looks positioned as the performance and productivity choice.
Rumored lineup at a glance
| Model | Display | Chip (rumored) | Rear cameras | Front camera | Charging | Frame | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 6.27-inch, 120Hz | Prior-gen (same as iPhone 16) | Dual (details TBD) | 24MP, 6-element | Up to 35W wired; Qi 2.2 to 50W | Aluminum + new glass MagSafe area | Value-focused; big display upgrade |
| iPhone 17 Air | 6.6-inch, 120Hz | A19 (likely fewer GPU cores vs Pro) | Single 48MP | 24MP, 6-element | Up to 35W wired; Qi 2.2 to 50W | Ultra‑thin design (as slim as 5.5mm) | C1 modem; possible eSIM‑only in some markets; ~2,900mAh battery |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 6.3-inch, 120Hz | A19 Pro (3nm) + 12GB RAM | 48MP wide + 48MP ultra‑wide + 48MP tele (up to 8x) | 24MP, 6-element | Up to 35W wired; Qi 2.2 to 50W | Aluminum (rumored) | Vapor‑chamber cooling; reverse wireless charging |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.9-inch, 120Hz | A19 Pro (3nm) + 12GB RAM | Same as Pro | 24MP, 6-element | Up to 35W wired; Qi 2.2 to 50W | Aluminum (rumored) | Larger battery; same core features as Pro |
Official Statements
Apple has not confirmed any iPhone 17 specifications ahead of its event.
Apple
Unconfirmed
- Apple’s September 9, 2025 launch date and product names (including “Air”) remain unannounced.
- iPhone 17 keeping the iPhone 16-era chip while the Air jumps to A19.
- 24MP selfie camera and six‑element lens across all models.
- Up to 35W wired charging and Qi 2.2 wireless up to 50W.
- iPhone 17 Air: 5.5mm at its thinnest point, 2,900mAh battery, and eSIM‑only in some markets.
- Pro/Pro Max: 48MP telephoto with up to 8x zoom, 12GB RAM, vapor‑chamber cooling, reverse wireless charging, and aluminum frames.
- iPhone 17’s new rear glass area around MagSafe and Apple logo.
Bottom Line
If these reports hold, Apple’s 2025 lineup tightens the gap between base and Pro by giving the iPhone 17 a 120Hz screen, while the Pro models push camera and performance leadership with a 48MP telephoto, A19 Pro silicon, and advanced cooling. The ultra‑slim Air aims to reboot the mid‑tier with design flair, though battery life and a single rear camera may be its trade‑offs.