Apple iPhone 17 series to launch later this year: 5 big changes that we expect over iPhone 16 series

iPhone 17 representative image

Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025. While the company hasn’t officially confirmed anything, leaks and reports suggest that the iPhone 17 series will bring notable design and feature upgrades compared to the iPhone 16 series. Here’s a look at five major changes likely coming this year.

Apple iPhone 17 Air 

Rumours about the 'Air' version of iPhone has been revolving around the internet. Apple may replace the iPhone Plus model with a new iPhone 17 Air. This model is rumoured to be the thinnest iPhone yet at just 5.5mm and will feature a 6.6-inch display. Positioned between the base and Pro models, it could offer a single 48MP rear camera and may adopt Apple’s in-house 5G modem for better battery efficiency.

ProMotion display across the lineup
All models in the iPhone 17 series — including the base and Air variants — are expected to feature 120Hz ProMotion displays. This is a major change from the iPhone 16 series, where only the Pro models had high refresh rate screens. Apple may also use LTPO OLED panels across the board to support Always-On Display features.

Camera upgrades on all models
The Pro Max variant could come with a triple 48MP camera setup offering wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto capabilities, with support for 8K video. The base and Air variants are expected to get upgraded rear and 24MP front cameras, doubling the resolution from the previous generation.

New A19 chip and more RAM
The iPhone 17 and 17 Air may be powered by the new A19 chip, while the Pro models could use the more advanced A19 Pro chip. RAM in the Pro models may also increase from 8GB to 12GB, improving multitasking and performance.

Redesigned camera housing
Apple is likely to introduce a fresh design for the Pro models, replacing the square camera bump with a horizontal layout. Reports also indicate a return to aluminium frames for Pro variants, replacing titanium after just two years.

Bonus: Price hike is expected

Apple could also raise the base price to $899 (approx. Rs 89,900 in India), citing the significant upgrades.