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Apple iPhone 17 Lineup: Latest Rumors & Leaks (2025)

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Apple iPhone 17 Lineup: Latest Rumors & Leaks (2025)
  • Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup will include four models — iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (Slim), iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — replacing the previous Plus variant.
  • The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be an ultra-thin 5–6 mm device with a ~6.5–6.6-inch OLED display and an estimated weight of about 145 g.
  • All iPhone 17 models are expected to use a 120 Hz ProMotion LTPO OLED display, with sizes around 6.3 inches for the base, ~6.6 inches for the Air, and ~6.9 inches for the Pro Max.
  • The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will use the A19 chip with 8 GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will use A19 Pro with 12 GB of RAM.
  • The iPhone 17 Air will be the first model to include Apple’s in-house 5G modem (C1) for sub-6 GHz, with the others using Qualcomm modems and a plan to switch to Apple modems across the lineup by iPhone 18 in 2026.
  • All four models will include Apple’s first custom Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth chip with Wi‑Fi 7 support and an updated Ultra Wideband chip.
  • The front camera will move to 24 MP across all models, doubling from 12 MP to support improved selfies and AR features.
  • The rear cameras vary by model: the iPhone 17 Air has a single 48 MP camera, the iPhone 17 has dual 48 MP + 12 MP, and the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max have triple 48 MP sensors with the Pro Max supporting 8K video.
  • The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a larger camera bump and redesigned rear module, with vapor chamber cooling planned for Pro/Pro Max to manage higher performance.
  • The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch in September 2025, with EVT completed by mid-2025 and iOS 26 shipping alongside the devices; base pricing is $799 for iPhone 17, $899 for iPhone 17 Air, $999 for iPhone 17 Pro, and $1,199 for iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Overview: A Revamped Four-Model Lineup in 2025

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup is widely expected to deliver one of the biggest iPhone shake-ups in years. Rumors point to four models – the standard iPhone 17, a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 “Air” (Slim), plus the high-end iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max macrumors.com. Notably, Apple is eliminating the “Plus” model that featured in recent generations, largely due to lackluster sales, and replacing it with this all-new “Air” variant macrumors.com. All models should see meaningful changes, from design tweaks to internal upgrades. If the leaks hold true, 2025’s iPhones will introduce the first new iPhone form factor since the iPhone X in 2017, with Apple adding a super-slim model to the mix macrumors.com macrumors.com. Below, we compile the latest credible news, leaks, and expert reports on what to expect in terms of design, hardware improvements, model differences, launch timing, pricing, and Apple’s strategy for the iPhone 17 series.

Major Design Changes and New “Slim” Model

Concept render of the rumored iPhone 17 “Air” (Slim), showcasing an ultra-thin side profile and relocated camera module. This new model is said to emphasize minimal thickness (around 6 mm) while maintaining a large ~6.6-inch display macrumors.com macrumors.com.

Introduction of an Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air (Slim): The headline design change is the addition of a super-thin iPhone 17 “Air” (also informally dubbed iPhone 17 Slim in leaks) as a brand-new model macrumors.com. This device will be dramatically thinner than current iPhones, targeting a chassis on the order of 5 mm to 6 mm thick – a record slimness for Apple macrumors.com. For context, the iPhone 16 Pro is about 8.25 mm thick; Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes the iPhone 17 Air will be roughly 2 mm thinner than that macrumors.com, putting it around ~6.25 mm. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is even more aggressive, predicting 5.5 mm at its thinnest point (with a slightly thicker bump for the camera) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. Dummy unit leaks and insider reports suggest this iPhone 17 Air may be Apple’s thinnest and lightest smartphone ever, embodying Apple’s goal of creating “a new class of Apple devices that should be the thinnest and lightest products in the whole tech industry,” as Gurman put it tomsguide.com. In terms of size, the Air is expected to have a 6.5–6.6-inch OLED display, positioning it between the 6.3″ iPhone 17 Pro and 6.9″ Pro Max macrumors.com theverge.com. Its screen could measure around 6.55″ diagonally, per display analyst Ross Young theverge.com. Despite that large screen, the device’s ultra-slim profile means it will weigh only ~145g (comparable to an iPhone 13 mini) macrumors.com.

No More “Plus” – New Mid-Tier Strategy: Apple’s decision to introduce the iPhone 17 Air comes at the expense of the previous “Plus” model, which will not see a 2025 iteration macrumors.com. The Plus (a 6.7″ non-Pro iPhone) has reportedly “not proven popular with customers,” leading Apple to do away with the Plus variant macrumors.com. The iPhone 17 Air isn’t a direct one-for-one Plus replacement in the sense of simply being a renamed Plus; instead, it’s a different concept – a thinner, design-forward device intended as a new option in the lineup macrumors.com. In Apple’s product positioning, this Air model will slot between the base iPhone 17 and the Pro tier. Early speculation from The Information even suggested the slim model could be priced higher than a Pro Max (implying ultra-flagship status) theverge.com, but most reports now indicate it will be a mid-priced device (likely around the current $899 price of the iPhone 16 Plus) rather than a top-tier Ultra phone macrumors.com tomsguide.com. In other words, Apple appears to be borrowing the “Air” naming from its MacBook and iPad lines – providing a category of device that is sleeker and slightly upscale from the base model, but not as feature-packed (or as costly) as the Pro macrumors.com macrumors.com.

Thin Design Trade-offs (Single Camera & No SIM Tray): To achieve its extreme thinness, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to forgo some hardware that thicker iPhones carry. Notably, leaks say the Air will likely have only a single rear camera lens macrumors.com tomsguide.com – a significant departure from the dual- or triple-camera setups on all other current iPhones. Ming-Chi Kuo and others report that Apple is prioritizing thinness “above all else” for this model, even if it means using just one main camera (with that single 48 MP lens pulling double duty for wide-angle and zoom shots) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. This design choice harks back to base iPhones of years past (or the iPad Air’s single camera) and would be unusual in 2025, when even midrange phones sport multiple lenses. “You wonder how people will receive that, given the premium shoppers place on cameras,” one Tom’s Guide editor mused about this rumored single-lens design tomsguide.com. The super-slim chassis may also lack a physical SIM card tray entirely, opting for eSIM-only – reports say the Air’s frame simply may not have the internal volume for a SIM slot macrumors.com. (Apple already removed SIM trays on U.S. iPhones in 2022; 2025 might extend this to more regions, at least for the thinnest model macrumors.com.) Additionally, to preserve internal space, the USB-C port on the Air might be positioned differently (shifted closer to the back of the phone rather than centered) according to dummy models macrumors.com. Even the speaker grille has been simplified (only two holes on each side of the port, instead of the usual five) to maximize internal room macrumors.com. All of these tweaks underscore that the Air model’s design is laser-focused on achieving a svelte form factor.

Reimagined Aesthetics – Camera Bump & Frame Material: Beyond the new model, Apple is reportedly refreshing the overall iPhone 17 design language more than it has in many years. Multiple leaks claim at least some of the iPhone 17s will sport a redesigned rear camera module. Instead of the familiar square camera island, Apple has prototyped a “full-length” horizontal camera bar across the back tomsguide.com. For the iPhone 17 Air, this is expected to manifest as one large, centered camera bump housing its single lens macrumors.com. For the Pro models, rumors diverge – some sources suggest the Pro/Pro Max will also adopt a wider, pill-shaped camera bar spanning nearly the device’s width macworld.com macworld.com, while other insiders maintain the Pro camera layout will still be a triangular arrangement of three lenses (just in a slightly larger module) macworld.com macrumors.com. Leaked cases and dummy unit photos lend credence to a larger camera bump footprint on the Pros macrumors.com macrumors.com. Notably, Apple may reposition the Apple logo on the back to accommodate this new camera placement – possibly moving the logo lower, even integrating it into the MagSafe ring area macrumors.com.

Alongside camera changes, the Pro models’ build materials might shift. One report from The Information claims Apple will drop the titanium frame introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and revert to an aluminum frame for iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, combined with a hybrid back: “half-aluminum, half-glass” rear casing macrumors.com macrumors.com. The top portion of the back would be aluminum (for strength and to house the camera bar), while the bottom half remains glass to allow wireless charging and MagSafe to function macrumors.com. This two-tone metal/glass back design would be a notable aesthetic change (potentially similar to older two-tone phones or Google’s Pixel 6 style). However, there is conflicting information on this: renders and rumors of a dual-tone Pro design surfaced, but Mark Gurman poured cold water on some of these claims, calling certain leaked renders “not an accurate representation of what’s to come.” Gurman asserts the iPhone 17 Pro will still look “a lot more like the 16 Pro than anticipated” when viewed from the front, with major visible changes confined to the rear camera layout macworld.com macworld.com. He insists Apple isn’t making radical alterations to the basic front design – for example, the display’s “Dynamic Island” cutout likely isn’t moving or shrinking dramatically on most models macworld.com. In fact, if Gurman is correct, from the front the 17 Pro may be nearly indistinguishable from the 16 Pro macworld.com (meaning the much-rumored under-display Face ID or a completely hole-less screen is not in the cards until later). In summary, the consensus is that iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max will get a new, larger camera bump (possibly an elongated horizontal oval) but will otherwise retain a familiar flat-edge silhouette macworld.com macrumors.com. Whether the Pros use titanium vs. aluminum is now a subject of debate – aluminum would be a cost-saving (and weight-saving) move, but some analysts doubt Apple would downgrade materials on its flagships and “others have disputed this” rumor tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It’s possible that only the largest model (Pro Max) keeps a titanium frame (as one leak from Jeff Pu suggested 9to5mac.com), effectively making the Pro Max an “Ultra”-like tier. For now, take the material change with caution; multiple sources suggest at least one Pro model will continue with titanium for a more premium feel, while another report says both Pro and Pro Max might go aluminum/glass for a new look macrumors.com tomsguide.com.

Dynamic Island and Display Changes: All iPhone 17 models will have the Dynamic Island pill-shaped display cutout (the notch was already eliminated in the iPhone 14/15 generations). Early iPhone 17 rumors focused on whether Apple would shrink the Dynamic Island by moving some Face ID components under the display. There is a new “metalens” technology (a flat, semiconductor-based lens) being developed that could reduce the size of Face ID/proximity sensors 9to5mac.com. Jeff Pu initially claimed the iPhone 17 Pro Max would get a smaller Dynamic Island thanks to a metalens for the proximity sensor 9to5mac.com. But Pu has since revised his expectation, saying the metalens miniaturization might apply to all iPhone 17 models (not just the Pro Max) tomsguide.com. If true, the entire lineup could have slightly more screen real estate or at least a smaller black cutout area. However, as noted above, Mark Gurman’s reporting implies no dramatic front design changes – so at most we may see a subtle reduction in the sensor area, not the complete elimination of the Dynamic Island this year macworld.com. Fully under-display Face ID is still predicted for 2026’s iPhone 18 Pro at the earliest macrumors.com.

Other Notable Design Details: The iPhone 17 family will retain the flat-edge overall shape introduced with iPhone 12. There’s talk that the Pro Max could become slightly thicker and heavier, potentially to accommodate a larger battery or the new camera module tomsguide.com. One leaked dummy measurement pegs the iPhone 17 Pro Max at about 8.7 mm thick (vs 8.25 mm on the 16 Pro Max) tomsguide.com. If the Air comes in around ~6 mm, that means Apple’s 2025 lineup might span an unusually wide range of device thicknesses – from the thinnest ever iPhone to one of the thicker flagship iPhones, each serving different user preferences. In terms of waterproofing or ports, there are hints that Apple is eyeing a port-free future, especially for a device as thin as the Air. Gurman noted the iPhone 17 Air will “foreshadow a move to slimmer models without charging ports”, suggesting Apple may eventually eliminate the charging port entirely in favor of MagSafe wireless charging bloomberg.com. It’s unclear if this generation will drop the port – most sources still list a USB-C port present on iPhone 17 – but the push toward wireless everything is on the horizon. Lastly, expect fresh color options as usual. While it’s too early for final colors, one rumor points to a light blue Pro model (inspired by the MacBook Air’s blue) or possibly purple/green hues for the base models macrumors.com. Tom’s Guide also mentions a lavender color being tested for iPhone 17 tomsguide.com.

In sum, the iPhone 17 lineup’s design will balance bold new features (an ultra-thin “Air” model, new camera bump styles, possibly new materials) with some continuity (overall front look and feel for standard models). As one journalist wryly observed, early leaks tend to promise “grand and radical reimaginings” of the iPhone, but as launch nears, “reality bites” and the changes often end up more modest macworld.com. It appears Apple’s biggest gamble is the introduction of the Air model, aiming to reinvigorate the lineup’s appeal by offering a sleek, design-centric iPhone that stands out from the pack.

Notable Hardware and Performance Upgrades

Beyond aesthetics, the iPhone 17 series is on track for significant internal upgrades and new technology adoption:

  • High-Refresh-Rate Displays Across the Lineup: One long-awaited upgrade is finally coming to the standard iPhones: ProMotion 120 Hz displays on all iPhone 17 models macrumors.com macrumors.com. Since 2021, Apple has limited high refresh rate screens to Pro models, but multiple sources (including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman) now report that even the base iPhone 17 and the Air will get 120 Hz LTPO OLED panels macrumors.com tomsguide.com. This means smoother scrolling, more responsive touch, and potentially an Always-On Display capability on the non-Pro models for the first time macrumors.com. (LTPO panels can dynamically scale from 1 Hz to 120 Hz refresh to conserve power, enabling always-on clock/notifications.) In fact, Apple is said to be using the same Samsung-supplied OLED panel from the current iPhone 16 Pro for the iPhone 17 and 17 Air, which offers 30% higher peak brightness and better longevity than earlier displays macrumors.com. ETNews (Korea) also confirms all iPhone 17 variants will adopt 120 Hz displays in 2025 tomsguide.com. The only caveat is one leaker’s claim that the base iPhone 17’s screen may not equal the ProMotion panel on the Pros in brightness or efficiency, but this is speculative tomsguide.com. The display sizes are also tweaking: the standard iPhone 17 is likely moving up from 6.1″ to a 6.27–6.3″ display, matching the Pro’s dimensions macrumors.com tomsguide.com. In practical terms, the smallest iPhone in 2025 will be 6.3″, since the mini and SE are not part of this lineup. Meanwhile the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains ~6.9″ (6.86″ per leaks) and the new Air fills the ~6.6″ middle ground tomsguide.com tomsguide.com.
  • Next-Generation Chipset (A19) and Processing Power: Apple’s custom silicon march continues, but it appears the A19 chip will still be built on an enhanced 3 nm process, not the leap to 2 nm quite yet macrumors.com macrumors.com. Early reports had floated 2 nm for 2025 iPhones, but more recent info indicates TSMC’s 2 nm won’t be ready until the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026, so the A19 will use TSMC’s “N3P” third-generation 3 nm node macrumors.com. N3P offers ~10% better performance and efficiency over the first-gen 3 nm chips, so we can expect A19 to be faster and more power-efficient than the A18. As usual, the Pro models should get a higher-binned version – likely branded A19 Pro – while the iPhone 17/17 Air get the standard A19 macrumors.com. (There is an outside chance the base iPhone 17 could even stick with last year’s A18 if supply is constrained macrumors.com, but most analysts expect it to move to the new generation.) With Apple emphasizing on-device AI and advanced camera processing, the A19’s improvements (CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine) will be key for keeping Apple’s performance lead. In fact, experts call the A19 a potential “giant leap forward” – though much of that hinges on the exact process improvements.
  • More RAM for Pro Models: Accompanying the new chips, Apple is increasing memory configuration. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to jump to 12 GB of RAM (up from 8 GB in the 16 Pro generation) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. The iPhone 17 and 17 Air will likely have 8 GB RAM (which is still an upgrade for the base model, as the iPhone 15/16 non-Pros had 6 GB and the iPhone 16 was rumored to move to 8 GB) 9to5mac.com tomsguide.com. This bifurcation means after a brief unity at 8 GB in the 2024 lineup, the 2025 lineup again separates Pro vs non-Pro in memory. Both analyst Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo have specifically predicted the 12 GB RAM figure on the higher-end iPhones tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. More RAM will help with multitasking and heavy workflows (and might be partly to support new on-device AI features and machine learning tasks that Apple is pushing).
  • Apple’s First Custom 5G Modem (in One Model): 2025 could mark Apple’s first step toward modem independence from Qualcomm. Reports say the iPhone 17 Air will be the first to feature Apple’s in-house 5G modem (sometimes referred to as the “C1” modem chip) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. Apple has been developing its own cellular modem for years, and it seems they will debut it in a single model initially – likely the mid-tier Air – while the rest of the iPhone 17 family continues using Qualcomm modems tomsguide.com. This strategy allows Apple to test its modem in one device before a broader rollout. According to insiders, Apple’s first-gen modem will support sub-6 GHz 5G but will not support the fastest mmWave 5G bands, and its peak speeds (theoretical ~4 Gbps) will be lower than Qualcomm’s latest macrumors.com. In short, the Apple modem will prioritize Apple’s control over integration rather than raw speed. By 2026–27, Apple plans to use its own modems across the lineup (a next-gen “C2” modem with mmWave is expected by iPhone 18) macrumors.com macrumors.com. Along with the cellular modem, all four iPhone 17 models are said to include Apple’s first custom Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth chip, supporting Wi‑Fi 7 macrumors.com macrumors.com. (The iPhone 16 already offers Wi‑Fi 7 via a Broadcom part, but in iPhone 17 Apple might use its own design for potentially better efficiency macrumors.com.) Wi‑Fi 7 can operate on 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz simultaneously for higher throughput and lower latency (theoretically 40 Gb/s) macrumors.com. Bluetooth 5.3 is also expected as part of this wireless package macrumors.com.
  • Battery Tech and Charging: Despite the thinness of the Air model (which inherently limits battery capacity – rumored around only 2,800 mAh for the Air tomsguide.com), Apple is exploring new ways to maintain or improve battery life across the lineup. One interesting rumor from Ming-Chi Kuo noted that the iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) would introduce a new high-density battery with a stainless steel frame, and if successful, that technology could be used in all iPhone 17 models theverge.com. A more energy-dense battery could partially offset the Air’s size constraints. Additionally, Apple is reportedly building its own batteries for the first time for the iPhone 17 series tomsguide.com. The goal is to achieve “significantly improved [battery] performance compared to the existing ones”, which sounds promising tomsguide.com – although details on what “Apple-built” batteries entail (new chemistry? stacked design?) are scarce. On the practical side, Apple will make batteries easier to replace: all iPhone 17 models are expected to use the new battery adhesive tabs that debuted in iPhone 16/16 Plus, which can be deactivated with a mild electrical current to allow the battery to lift out cleanly macrumors.com. This will simplify battery swaps for repair technicians (and potentially consumers, given right-to-repair pushes) macrumors.com. In terms of charging speeds, don’t expect a dramatic jump: the rumor is wired fast-charging will top out at the same 35 W as the current iPhones macrumors.com. However, wireless charging may get a boost via the Qi 2.2 standard. Leaked MagSafe charger documents show support for Qi 2.2, which allows up to 50 W wireless charging macrumors.com. Apple’s current MagSafe is limited to ~15 W on iPhone, so if Apple enables even part of Qi 2.2’s capability, we could see significantly faster wireless charging (though Apple might cap it below 50 W for heat and safety). At minimum, including Qi 2.2 support would make the iPhones compatible with next-gen wireless chargers at higher efficiency. The move to USB-C in 2023’s iPhone 15 remains in effect, of course, and Apple will likely advertise the convenience of USB-C across the iPhone 17 range for universal accessory compatibility.
  • Improved Thermal Management: To cope with the heat from more powerful chips and faster modems, Apple is bringing vapor chamber cooling to the iPhone. Initially this was rumored for all models, but latest reports suggest vapor chamber heatsinks will be used at least in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max macrumors.com tomsguide.com. A vapor chamber can disperse heat more evenly across the device, reducing thermal throttling under heavy workloads (for instance, prolonged 3D gaming or 4K video recording). Leaks of iPhone 17 Pro internal components have shown a vapor chamber system, lending credibility to this upgrade tomsguide.com. There is a chance Apple extends the vapor chamber to every iPhone 17 (some sources say “every model will adopt” it tomsguide.com), but other insiders maintain it will remain a Pro-exclusive feature initially tomsguide.com. Either way, this represents a notable engineering change aimed at keeping the new A19 chip running at peak performance without overheating. Combined with the potential switch to a more heat-conductive aluminum frame on Pros (if that rumor holds), the iPhone 17 series could run cooler and sustain top speeds longer than prior generations – addressing complaints of iPhones getting hot during intense use.
  • Camera Enhancements: All iPhone 17 models will see camera improvements, with the Pro Max expected to boast the most advanced setup Apple’s ever done. On the front camera, Apple is reportedly making a big jump: moving from the long-standing 12 MP TrueDepth selfie camera to a new 24 MP front-facing camera across the entire iPhone 17 lineup macrumors.com 9to5mac.com. Both Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo have reported the 24 MP selfie camera plan 9to5mac.com tomsguide.com. Doubling the resolution will allow sharper selfies, better low-light performance (via pixel binning), and more flexibility for Apple’s AR features and “Spatial Video” capture (which uses the front camera too). For the rear cameras, the iPhone 17 Pro Max (and possibly Pro) is “tipped to get three 48 MP cameras” – that is, 48 MP sensors for the Wide, Ultra-Wide, and Telephoto lenses macrumors.com tomsguide.com. Currently, only the main Wide camera is 48 MP, with others at 12 MP. Upgrading all three to 48 MP would be a first, and it’s said that the Pro Max will support 8K video recording for the first time on iPhone macrumors.com. An 8K-capable sensor likely necessitates higher resolution on the telephoto as well, hence 48 MP there. However, an interesting twist: one report claims that if Apple uses a 48 MP sensor for the telephoto, it might reduce the optical zoom level from 5× to about 3.5× on the Pro models tomsguide.com. This could be due to lens focal length trade-offs or cropping needed for optical stabilization. It’s not confirmed, but it suggests Apple is balancing raw sensor resolution with optical zoom range. In any case, the 5× periscope zoom (introduced on the 15 Pro Max) is expected to remain exclusive to the Pro tier – i.e. the standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air will not get a periscope telephoto lens macrumors.com. The iPhone 17 (base) is rumored to stick with a dual-lens rear system similar to iPhone 16 (wide + ultra-wide, likely 48 MP + 12 MP) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. Meanwhile, as noted, the iPhone 17 Air may have only a single rear camera (48 MP wide) to maintain its slim design macrumors.com tomsguide.com. This means the Air would rely on digital zoom or sensor cropping for any zoomed shots. Tom’s Guide notes the Air’s lone camera would likely “pull double-duty to offer optical quality zooms” up to a point, mimicking how the main lens on the iPhone 16 can crop in for 2× shots without much loss tomsguide.com. But obviously it won’t compete with the real optical telephoto on the Pros for long-range zoom. Apple may introduce new camera features as well. One exciting rumor is that the iPhone 17 Pro models could feature a variable aperture lens macrumors.com. Instead of a fixed f-stop, a mechanical aperture would let users (or the camera app automatically) adjust the aperture to control depth of field and light intake – e.g. a wide aperture for bokeh portraits and a narrow aperture for deeper focus landscapes. This would be a significant step toward DSLR-like control; it’s unclear which lens it might apply to (possibly the main wide camera). Another capability reportedly coming is dual-video recording on the Pro iPhones, which would allow simultaneous recording from front and rear cameras macrumors.com tomsguide.com. This is a popular feature in some Android phones and third-party apps, and would enhance the iPhone’s appeal for content creators (imagine recording a scene and your own reaction at once, or both sides of an interview). Leaker Jon Prosser has also suggested such multi-cam recording is on deck for iPhone 17 Pro tomsguide.com. Apple is likely to continue its push into “Spatial Video” (3D-like video for Vision Pro headset) – the iPhone 17 Pro/Max with two high-quality cameras might capture even better spatial videos than the iPhone 16 Pro can. Finally, to support these camera upgrades, Apple might make a subtle change to the flash and sensor layout. There’s chatter that in the new camera bump design, the flash, LiDAR scanner, and microphone will be arranged separately from the lenses (e.g. if lenses go horizontal, those other elements might sit below or to the side). Some leaked schematics show the lenses grouped apart from the flash/LiDAR, which is a different layout than current iPhones forums.appleinsider.com. Also, if the logo moves as mentioned, the MagSafe magnet array might be adjusted to avoid interference, possibly with a gap for the relocated logo macrumors.com. These are more minor details, but underscore the comprehensive nature of the redesign under consideration.

In summary, the iPhone 17 lineup is poised to deliver faster performance (new A19 chips), better displays (120 Hz for everyone), improved connectivity (Wi‑Fi 7 and first-party modem), and camera advances (more megapixels and new features). The Pro models, as usual, will get the lion’s share of cutting-edge features (vapor cooling, triple 48 MP cameras, etc.), but this year even the base models see big upgrades like ProMotion and 24 MP cameras – making the generational leap more significant for the whole range.

Differentiation Among the iPhone 17 Models

Despite many shared improvements, Apple is clearly delineating the four iPhone 17 variants by certain features and pricing. Here’s how the models are expected to differ from one another:

  • iPhone 17 (Standard): The entry iPhone 17 will reportedly grow to a 6.3″ LTPO OLED display (matching the Pro’s size) with 120 Hz refresh tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It should retain an aluminum frame and a design akin to the iPhone 16 (Dynamic Island front). The rear camera will be dual-lens (likely a 48 MP main + 12 MP ultra-wide, no telephoto) – essentially the same camera setup as the current base iPhone, albeit with the new 24 MP selfie camera added macrumors.com macrumors.com. Under the hood, it’s expected to run the A19 chip (standard bin) and come with 8 GB RAM 9to5mac.com. Unlike its pricier siblings, the base iPhone 17 won’t have a periscope zoom or possibly some of the bleeding-edge tech like vapor cooling, focusing instead on delivering the core upgrades (120 Hz, A19, etc.) at a lower price point. It’s likely to start around $799 (USD) for the base configuration macrumors.com. In short, the iPhone 17 will offer many of the Pro-level features of previous years (high refresh display, big camera sensor) at a more affordable price, but it forgoes extras like a telephoto lens and the highest-end materials.
  • iPhone 17 Air (Slim): The new mid-tier model, positioned between the base and Pro, the iPhone 17 Air’s defining trait is its ultra-thin 5–6 mm chassis macrumors.com. It will have a roughly 6.6″ OLED display (120 Hz) theverge.com tomsguide.com, putting its screen size between the 17 and the Pro Max. To achieve its slim profile, it features only a single rear camera (48 MP) macrumors.com – a notable sacrifice in versatility. It will still support features like Night mode and likely 2× lossless digital zoom via the high-res sensor, but it won’t have an optical zoom lens. The Air is expected to use the A19 chip and 8 GB RAM (same as the base model) 9to5mac.com. Intriguingly, it will be the only model with Apple’s first-gen 5G modem (C1), while still getting the new Wi‑Fi 7/Bluetooth chip like the rest tomsguide.com. No physical SIM tray is expected on this model due to space constraints macrumors.com. The iPhone 17 Air will have an aluminum frame (reports suggest Apple considered titanium, but likely it’s aluminum to keep cost down) theverge.com tomsguide.com. Its back camera bump is rumored to be centered and horizontal, giving it a distinct look. Battery capacity (~2800 mAh) will be lower than other iPhones, so battery life may be a concern tomsguide.com – though power efficiencies in the chip and display will help. In terms of pricing, Apple is expected to price the Air around $899 (similar to the old Plus) macrumors.com. (Some early insiders speculated a much higher price tag, even “more than the $1,199 Pro Max”, but most analysts now lean toward the ~$899 mid-tier price as more likely tomsguide.com.) The Air is aimed at customers who value a large display and premium design in a slim, lightweight form, but who don’t need a triple-camera Pro. It’s a new play for a style-oriented iPhone, essentially “iPhone Air” in philosophy.
  • iPhone 17 Pro: The smaller of the Pro-tier iPhones, the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to offer a 6.3″ LTPO OLED at 120 Hz (with always-on capability) macrumors.com. It will be powered by the top-tier A19 Pro chip (with higher GPU core count or frequency) and 12 GB RAM macrumors.com tomsguide.com, ensuring the best performance. The Pro should have a triple-lens rear camera system: 48 MP main (wide), 48 MP ultra-wide, and a telephoto (either the current 12 MP 3× tele or a new 48 MP sensor possibly around 3–5× zoom) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. It will also get LiDAR Scanner for AR and low-light focus, and the new 24 MP front camera like all models macrumors.com. Design-wise, it will incorporate the new camera bump design (wider module or “camera bar”) that we described, but from the front it will look similar to the iPhone 16 Pro – including the Dynamic Island of roughly the same size (unless the metalens does reduce it slightly) macworld.com macworld.com. One big internal change will be the addition of vapor chamber cooling to support the A19 Pro’s performance macrumors.com. The frame material is a question: some say the Pro will switch to an aluminum frame with a partial glass back macrumors.com, while others insist Apple will keep using titanium or at least not downgrade durability tomsguide.com. It’s possible the Pro gets aluminum (to save cost/weight) and only the Pro Max remains titanium, but Apple’s strategy here isn’t 100% clear yet. In either case, expect a premium build with very tight tolerances and possibly slightly refined ergonomics (if the back goes part metal, for example). The iPhone 17 Pro will retain exclusive features like the 5× optical periscope telephoto (if the rumor about 3.5× only applies to the smaller sensor, Apple could even differentiate the Pro vs Pro Max zoom – but likely both Pros will keep 5× this year and any downgrade would apply to both) macrumors.com tomsguide.com. Also, only the Pro models will have the LiDAR and ProRes video support, etc., continuing Apple’s segmentation of camera and AR features. The pricing for iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start at $999 in the US (barring any tariff-related hike) macrumors.com. Overall, the 17 Pro is about marrying top performance and strong camera capability in a fairly compact (6.3″) device – it’s the option for power users who don’t want the largest phone.
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: The flagship big-screen Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 6.86–6.9″ LTPO OLED (120 Hz, likely the brightest and most efficient panel of the group) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It gets all the same core internals as the 17 Pro – A19 Pro chip, 12 GB RAM, vapor chamber cooling – but generally Apple uses the larger chassis to afford a bigger battery and sometimes slightly better thermals. Indeed, rumors suggest the Pro Max might become a bit thicker/heavier to maximize battery capacity, since it’s expected to handle features like 8K video recording which can drain power tomsguide.com. The camera system on the Pro Max will be the most advanced: three 48 MP rear cameras (Wide, Ultra-wide, Tele) are anticipated macrumors.com, making it the first iPhone with all cameras at high resolution. It will also exclusively get any new hardware like a Tetraprism periscope lens (as introduced on 15 Pro Max for 5× zoom) – so count on a 5× optical zoom at minimum, and possibly Apple finds a way to push beyond if sensor changes allow, though that 3.5× rumor tempers expectations tomsguide.com. The Pro Max will support 8K video capture thanks to the triple 48 MP array, and could see camera improvements in low-light and telephoto detail. Design-wise, the Pro Max shares the 17 Pro’s design language: large camera bump (even larger on the Max due to bigger lens system), possible new material (if aluminum-back, it will be very noticeable on this larger canvas, or if they keep titanium, it stays similar to iPhone 15 Pro Max’s look). One leak specifically said the Dynamic Island might initially shrink only on the Pro Max (as a differentiator), but as noted, later reports think all models will get the same treatment 9to5mac.com tomsguide.com. Either way, no under-screen camera yet, so the Pro Max will still have the pill cutout. This model is also rumored to have the “Camera Control” button in addition to the Action button – Apple might add a second configurable button (one possibly as a dedicated camera shutter/shortcut) on Pro models, as some dummy units suggest macrumors.com. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to start at $1,199 (for 256 GB) if pricing follows last year, but watch for potential price hikes (some analysts think a ~$100 increase could be on the table due to rising component costs) tomsguide.com macrumors.com. This device is aimed at enthusiasts who want the absolute best iPhone tech with no compromises on screen size or camera capability – essentially Apple’s über-flagship (there has been talk that Apple might even brand it “Ultra,” but current info still uses “Pro Max”).

To summarize the lineup in a quick spec comparison:

  • Display: All four use OLED LTPO at ~120 Hz. Sizes: ~6.3″ (17 & 17 Pro), ~6.6″ (Air), ~6.9″ (Pro Max) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. All have Dynamic Island (same general UI across).
  • Build: 17 & Air: aluminum frame; Pro/Max: premium frame (either titanium or aluminum per conflicting leaks). Air is exceptionally thin (~6 mm); Pro Max might be thicker than before (~8.7 mm). Air likely eSIM-only (no SIM tray) macrumors.com. All have USB-C ports (with possibility Air leans toward wireless future).
  • Chip & RAM: 17/Air: A19, 8 GB RAM 9to5mac.com; Pro/Max: A19 Pro, 12 GB RAM tomsguide.com.
  • Cooling: 17/Air: standard cooling (possibly smaller vapor chamber or none); Pro/Max: advanced cooling (vapor chamber) tomsguide.com.
  • Cameras:
    • Rear: 17: dual (48 MP wide + 12 MP ultra-wide); Air: single (48 MP wide) macrumors.com; Pro: triple (48 MP wide + 48 MP ultra-wide + telephoto, likely 5× periscope) macrumors.com; Pro Max: triple (all 48 MP, 5× periscope, 8K video) macrumors.com. Only Pros have LiDAR and optical telephoto zoom.
    • Front: All: 24 MP TrueDepth camera with Face ID macrumors.com.
  • Unique features: Air: Apple 5G modem (sub-6 GHz only) in this model only tomsguide.com; Pros: LiDAR scanner, ProRAW/ProRes, Action Button (and possibly extra Camera button) macrumors.com, maybe satellite SOS enhancements, etc.; Pro Max: largest battery, exclusive highest-end camera tuning (and historically slightly better stabilization on bigger model).
  • Battery & Charging: Air possibly shortest battery life (small battery) but very fast wireless charging potential (if Qi 2.2 enabled) macrumors.com; Pro Max largest battery. All support ~35 W wired (USB-C PD) and likely improved wireless charging speeds macrumors.com. All four are expected to adopt easier battery pull-tabs for replacement macrumors.com.
  • Connectivity: All: 5G (with one custom modem in Air), Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 macrumors.com macrumors.com, Ultra Wideband chip (probably updated for Vision Pro interactions), and no SIM tray in some markets (U.S. and possibly more).

Apple’s intention is to offer clear choices: the iPhone 17 for mainstream buyers who want the new performance and a great display without paying Pro prices, the iPhone 17 Air for those who value design, thinness, and a large screen but don’t need pro-level cameras, and the Pro/Pro Max for power users and photographers who want the best of everything Apple can muster. As 9to5Mac summarized from an investor report, “Apple has big changes in store for next year’s iPhone 17 lineup”, including a “refreshed design, front-facing camera improvements, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more”, plus the introduction of the new Slim model replacing the Plus 9to5mac.com. That encapsulates how Apple is differentiating the models while pushing the whole lineup forward.

Expected Release Timeline and Launch Details

Apple’s iPhone launch cycle has been clockwork for years, and current info suggests the iPhone 17 family will debut in September 2025 macrumors.com macrumors.com. Apple typically announces new flagship iPhones in early-mid September, with retail availability starting later that month. All four iPhone 17 models are planned to launch together in Fall 2025, following the one-year-after-iPhone-16 cadence. According to MacRumors’ sources, Apple is targeting September 2025 for the iPhone 17 release macrumors.com, which aligns with expectations.

Development seems to be on schedule: at least one iPhone 17 model has reportedly already passed the Engineering Validation Test (EVT) stage as of mid-2025 macrumors.com. Completion of EVT means the hardware design is largely set and the device is moving toward Design Validation Testing (DVT) and mass production preparation macrumors.com. Apple reaching this milestone suggests no significant delays are anticipated – the company can lock in its supply chain orders for the new display sizes and components in time for a fall launch. If anything, Apple may be ahead of usual schedule due to the major design changes (it likely started development early). One report even mentioned Apple might have “finished EVT for at least one iPhone 17 model” about a year in advance macrumors.com, indicating strong confidence in the design. Barring unforeseen issues (e.g. production problems with the new thin design or modem), a September 2025 announcement with a staggered late-September/early-October rollout (as Apple often does for different models) is expected.

It’s worth noting that Apple’s broader product roadmap for 2025–26 is very ambitious, and the iPhone 17 plays a big part. Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has described 2025 as a “loaded” year for Apple, with a “critical 2025” including this overhauled iPhone line, new AI features, and more bloomberg.com. Furthermore, Apple is reportedly planning to split iPhone releases into two yearly events starting in 2026 (with some iPhone 18 models in spring 2027) macrumors.com, but for the iPhone 17 series in 2025, it should be the traditional single fall launch event for all models.

After announcement, the release sequence might mirror recent years: possibly the iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro could hit stores first, with the 17 Pro Max perhaps shipping a week or two later if production of certain components (like the new periscope lens or camera sensors) needs a bit more time. This staggered approach happened with iPhone 15 Pro Max and others in the past. However, it’s too early to say if any model will face supply constraints. Given the new Air model is a first-of-its-kind, Apple might initially produce slightly fewer of those until they gauge demand and manufacturing yield for that ultra-thin design.

In terms of software, the iPhone 17 series will launch with iOS 26 (Apple’s now year-based naming for iOS) tomsguide.com. iOS 26, coming in 2025, focuses on a redesigned “Liquid Glass” UI aesthetic and various AI-driven features tomsguide.com. Any iPhone 17-specific software features (perhaps something related to dual-camera recording, or special camera modes) will be part of that release.

Mark your calendars: If history holds, Apple will likely hold the iPhone 17 launch event in early September 2025 (around the 9th–12th) and open pre-orders that week, with availability by mid-to-late September. There’s no indication Apple will stray from this pattern – a Facebook post from an Apple news outlet even flatly states, “Apple will announce its iPhone 17 lineup in September”, reflecting the industry’s confidence in the usual schedule facebook.com.

Pricing Expectations and Market Positioning

When it comes to pricing, Apple appears to be aligning the iPhone 17 lineup prices close to the iPhone 15/16 series, with one new slot for the Air model. Based on leaks and Apple’s historical pricing:

  • iPhone 17: expected to start at $799 (US) for the base configuration macrumors.com. This is the same starting price the iPhone 15 and 16 base models carried. Despite the upgrade to 120 Hz display and other new features, Apple likely keeps the base price to maintain a strong entry point in the lineup.
  • iPhone 17 Air (Slim): likely around $899 for base storage macrumors.com. Not coincidentally, $899 is the current price of the iPhone 16 Plus – which the Air effectively replaces in the roster. Apple introducing the Air at $899 positions it as a step-up from the base model ($799) without encroaching on the Pro’s $999 tier macrumors.com. That said, some analysts had speculated a higher price given its novel design. There have been “divided opinions on price” for the Air: some insiders hinted it could be more expensive than a Pro Max (>$1199), essentially treating it as a luxury halo product tomsguide.com. But more credible reports point to $899 as the target, keeping it as a mid-range option tomsguide.com. Tom’s Guide even presented a range of $899–$1299 for the Air to cover the uncertainty tomsguide.com tomsguide.com, but $1299 seems less likely unless Apple severely limited production and marketed it as an “exclusive” device. Considering Apple’s usual pricing strategy, an $899 Air that sits between the $799 base and $999 Pro makes the most sense in terms of upsell logic.
  • iPhone 17 Pro: expected to start at $999 (for likely 128 GB storage) in the U.S. macrumors.com. This is consistent with prior Pro pricing. However, we have to mention the looming tariff issue: Apple has been facing increased component and assembly costs, including import tariffs on China-made electronics that were put in place under the former U.S. administration. A recent Bloomberg piece noted that “iPhone 17 models may see a price hike” in the U.S., with Apple’s costs rising due to tariffs macrumors.com. If Apple can’t absorb those costs, we could see the iPhone 17 Pro move to $1,099 (a $100 increase) and the Pro Max slightly higher as well. In fact, one Bloomberg report explicitly stated that Apple was considering U.S. price increases, and would justify them by touting new features and design changes rather than blaming tariffs macrumors.com. The Tom’s Guide spec table actually lists $1,099 as the iPhone 17 Pro price (perhaps anticipating a hike) tomsguide.com. So it’s wise to expect $999–$1,099 as the Pro’s range depending on region and any last-minute adjustments. In other major markets, prices will be set in local currency equivalent, which could be affected by exchange rates by 2025.
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: historically $1,099 was the base price for a 128 GB Pro Max, but Apple bumped the 15 Pro Max to $1,199 (with 256 GB base storage). For iPhone 17 Pro Max, likely $1,199 (assuming 256 GB base) tomsguide.com. If a U.S. price hike occurs, the Pro Max could even start at $1,299. As of now, Tom’s Guide and other sources list $1,199 as the expected starting point tomsguide.com. There is little rumor of any additional Ultra model above Pro Max, so $1,199 might remain the top-end baseline unless the Air had taken that spot (which it isn’t, as we discussed). In Europe and elsewhere, prices for Pro Max can be considerably higher after VAT (e.g. €1,449+).

Apple typically keeps these price tiers stable for a few generations, but the combination of expensive new tech (like custom modems, new cameras) and external cost pressures (tariffs, inflation) means this generation is at higher risk of a price increase than usual in certain markets macrumors.com. A Bloomberg analysis from April 2025 pointed out that Apple’s suppliers and manufacturing costs have risen, hence “iPhone price hikes are now looking possible in the US” bloomberg.com. Should that happen, Apple will likely emphasize how much more the iPhone 17 offers (new design, new model, better specs) to validate the bump, rather than mention the word “tariff.”

From a product positioning standpoint, Apple is recalibrating the value proposition of each model:

  • The iPhone 17 (base) becomes more compelling by inheriting features like 120 Hz display and a bigger screen – offering a taste of Pro-level tech at $799. It targets mainstream users and upgraders from older models who don’t necessarily need a telephoto camera or the premium build.
  • The iPhone 17 Air introduces a new upsell: for an extra ~$100, consumers can get a bigger display than the base iPhone and an exceptionally sleek design. Apple is likely to market the Air as “the thinnest iPhone ever,” appealing to those who appreciate the form factor and are willing to sacrifice a second camera for it. In many ways, this fills the void of the old Plus (big screen non-Pro) but flips the script – instead of emphasizing battery and camera (like Plus did), it emphasizes portability and design. Apple is effectively testing whether a stylish ultra-thin phone can attract a segment of buyers in the era of huge camera bumps and massive batteries. It’s a new strategy to revive the mid-tier sales, which the Plus didn’t capture well.
  • The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max continue to cater to the high-end market (tech enthusiasts, professionals, early adopters). Apple will justify their premium with the best cameras, materials, and performance. There’s also an element of future-proofing: with Apple pushing more AI and AR features, having the A19 Pro and extra RAM might be pitched as making the device ready for the next wave of capabilities. If there is a price hike, Apple will lean on the narrative that these Pros have the most significant redesign since iPhone X (even if externally they look similar, internally there’s a lot new). We might hear how the 17 Pro series offers the biggest camera system upgrade and display upgrade in years, etc. Already, analysts are calling the iPhone 17 Pro launch “the line’s biggest redesign since 2020” – albeit tempered by the note that it may not be as radical as some hoped macworld.com macworld.com.

Finally, a quick word on analyst and media expectations: Many industry watchers think Apple’s repositioning with the Air model could be a smart move. As Bloomberg’s Gurman observed, Apple is creating a continuum of devices where the “Air” signifies a class focused on slimness and lightness – matching the branding in iPads and Macs macrumors.com. The iPhone 17 Air may be Apple’s way of reinjecting excitement into the lineup’s middle, which could boost overall sales. If successful, it might stick around in future generations (we even see references to a possible iPhone 18 Air next year in long-term roadmaps macrumors.com). Conversely, if the market doesn’t respond well (for example, if people balk at a single-camera $899 phone), Apple could adjust course in subsequent years.

For now, based on all credible leaks up to mid-2025, the iPhone 17 series is shaping up to be an ambitious upgrade cycle, with changes aimed at everything from casual users (smoother display) to photography enthusiasts (triple 48 MP cameras) to style-conscious buyers (the Slim model). As we get closer to launch, these details will be further refined, but the consensus is that the iPhone 17 lineup represents Apple’s most significant iPhone generation in several years, both in terms of hardware updates and lineup strategy macrumors.com macworld.com.

Expert and Analyst Commentary

Technology analysts and Apple insiders have been actively discussing the iPhone 17 leaks, providing context and sometimes conflicting insights. Here are some notable expert commentaries, along with their direct quotes:

  • Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) – Gurman has provided a balanced take on the redesign hype. In his Power On newsletter, he acknowledged the late-2025 iPhones will be the biggest cosmetic update since the iPhone 12’s flat-edge revival, but he cautions that the “anticipated redesign is going to be a whole lot less radical than previously expected.” Specifically, Gurman says the iPhone 17 Pro “will look a lot more like the 16 Pro than anticipated” when viewed head-on macworld.com macworld.com. The major changes will be on the back (e.g. wider camera bar), and leaked two-tone chassis renders are “not an accurate representation of what’s to come,” according to him macworld.com. In other words, Gurman is warning that some early rumors were overstated. He also supports the reports of ProMotion coming to all models, being “the latest to say that the iPhone 17 will feature a ProMotion display” across the lineup tomsguide.com. On the new Air model, Gurman’s insight is that Apple is strategically creating an ultra-thin class of devices: he “believes [the Air] is part of a plan to make ‘a new class of Apple devices that should be the thinnest and lightest products in the whole tech industry’” tomsguide.com. This quote underscores Apple’s broader vision – not just an iPhone 17 gimmick, but a direction for products to come.
  • Jeff Pu (Analyst, Haitong Intl.) – Jeff Pu was one of the first to outline the iPhone 17 lineup changes in a research note. Pu says Apple has “big changes in store” for the 2025 iPhones, including a “refreshed design, front-facing camera improvements, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more” 9to5mac.com. He also explicitly reported that Apple will introduce a new “iPhone 17 Slim” model to replace the Plus in the lineup 9to5mac.com. Pu’s predicted model lineup (6.1″ 17, 6.6″ Slim, 6.3″ Pro, 6.9″ Pro Max) largely matches what subsequently leaked elsewhere 9to5mac.com. In Pu’s report, he noted an interesting detail: the Pro Max will feature a “narrowed Dynamic Island” thanks to a novel metalens for the Face ID sensor, while the other models initially were expected to retain the current-sized Island 9to5mac.com. (As mentioned, he later indicated metalens might make it to all models.) Pu also highlighted the RAM split (8 GB for 17/17 Slim, 12 GB for Pros) and the upgrade to 24 MP selfie cameras, aligning with Kuo’s info 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com. His early insights, many of which have been corroborated, helped shape the narrative that iPhone 17 is a substantial upgrade year.
  • Ming-Chi Kuo (Analyst, TF International) – Kuo often focuses on specific component forecasts. He has been cited regarding the ultra-thin design and camera decisions. Kuo claims the iPhone 17 Air will “prioritize being thin above all else, to the point where the phone may only have a single main camera lens,” emphasizing how extreme the design goal is tomsguide.com. He also quantified the thickness: as little as 5.5 mm thick for the body, “though the camera bump may push [it] up to 9.5 mm” at the lens tomsguide.com. Kuo was also an early source on the 24 MP front camera plan 9to5mac.com and the potential adoption of a higher energy density battery tech if tested successfully in 2024 models theverge.com. In general, Kuo’s commentary paints Apple as willing to compromise on certain features (like a secondary camera or materials) in order to achieve a standout design (thinness), betting that consumers will find that trade-off worthwhile.
  • The Information (Wayne Ma’s report) – While not an individual pundit, The Information’s reporting was pivotal in kicking off the “iPhone 17 redesign” conversation. They reported Apple is working on a “significantly thinner” iPhone with a major redesign for 2025, including considerations like an aluminum frame, a smaller front camera cutout, and centered rear cameras theverge.com theverge.com. They also initially suggested this new model could be priced higher than the current Pro Max theverge.com. This set expectations that Apple might be creating an ultra-premium device. We now know Apple likely shifted strategy to make it mid-tier, but The Information’s early report was accurate about many design aspects (thin chassis, single camera, etc.). Their sourcing indicated multiple design prototypes were in play early on, which might explain some rumor discrepancies (e.g. titanium vs aluminum, camera layout variations).
  • Ice Universe (Leaker) – A well-known industry leaker, Ice Universe, chimed in that the iPhone 17 Air is indeed coming in 2025 alongside the other models tomsguide.com. Ice has a good track record with device dimensions and designs (often leaking schematics). His backing of the Air’s existence helped validate that Apple was seriously doing this, not just considering it. He’s also referred to the Air by another name, “iPhone 17 Air (or Air Ultra-thin)”, on social media, and compared it with super-slim Android rivals, implying Apple is entering the “thinnest smartphone” race.
  • Tom’s Guide / Tech Journalists – Publications like Tom’s Guide and Macworld have offered their analyses. Tom’s Guide noted, for instance, that “opinion on [the Air] price is divided” with some thinking it could be very expensive, but they lean towards it being in the middle and point out how it will compete with a similarly thin Samsung phone (Galaxy S25 Edge at 5.8 mm) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Macworld’s Editor David Price offered an insightful perspective that Apple often hypes big redesigns but sometimes they end up less dramatic. He wrote that veterans won’t be surprised if “major changes have been bumped to the following year” as reality sets in macworld.com – essentially warning readers to not believe every wild rumor until closer to launch. At the same time, he concedes the 17-series “represents the line’s biggest redesign since 2020”, just that it might not look entirely like the initial fan renders macworld.com. This aligns with Gurman’s cautionary stance.
  • Forbes (David Phelan) – In an April 2025 piece, Forbes contributor David Phelan highlighted Gurman’s insights, noting “The new Pro will look a lot more like the 16 Pro than anticipated” and that “Gurman contends that the design has remained consistent since the iPhone 12 from 2020.” aol.com. This emphasizes that while materials and internals evolve, Apple’s basic design language is iterative. Phelan’s takeaway was that earlier rumors of radical changes (like a completely new silhouette or no notch) were overblown, and that Apple is keeping one foot in familiarity even as it makes tweaks.

In conclusion, the expert consensus is that Apple is orchestrating a significant upgrade with the iPhone 17 lineup, but some earlier dramatic rumors have been tempered by more reliable sources. The introduction of the Slim/Air model is universally seen as a major shake-up – one headline described it as “Apple’s major change-up: Plus size killed off in favor of iPhone Slim”, reflecting how unusual it is for Apple to drop a model and add a new one in its place forums.macrumors.com. Analysts will be watching closely to see how consumers respond to a super-thin, style-centric iPhone. Meanwhile, trusted reporters like Gurman and Kuo are ensuring expectations are set correctly: big camera upgrades, yes, but not an all-screen no-notch miracle just yet; a much thinner new iPhone, yes, but not without trade-offs.

As we await Apple’s official unveiling in 2025, the iPhone 17 series is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing iPhone releases in recent memory – blending bold new design elements with powerful hardware upgrades. If all these rumors pan out, Apple will be telling a story of innovation meeting refinement: an iPhone lineup that introduces a fresh form-factor (the Air) and across-the-board improvements, yet still looks unmistakably iPhone. We will update this report as more information emerges, especially once Apple’s fall 2025 event confirms the final details.

Sources:

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