The iPhone 17 lineup has been on sale for a few months, but on December 4, 2025 it’s still driving record demand, sparking pricing shifts across the entire smartphone market, and even causing a small camera controversy on the Pro models. At the same time, fresh leaks about a cheaper “iPhone 17e” are already shaping next year’s budget iPhone story. [1]
Below is a complete, Google News–friendly rundown of today’s key iPhone 17 news and up‑to‑date pricing.
Key takeaways
- Apple kept iPhone 17’s starting price at $799 / £799 for a 256GB base model, while doubling storage versus the iPhone 16. [2]
- Pro models start at $1,099 / £1,099 (17 Pro) and $1,199 / £1,199 (17 Pro Max) for 256GB. [3]
- Used iPhone 17 units are already selling in the mid‑$700s, with Swappa showing a best price of $757 as of December 4, 2025. [4]
- IDC and other analysts say iPhone 17 demand is powering a record year for Apple, especially in China, where its market share has climbed above 20%. [5]
- A camera feature has quietly disappeared from iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max: Night mode no longer works in Portrait mode, even though older Pro iPhones still support it. [6]
- Rumoured iPhone 17e budget model for 2026 is expected to bring Dynamic Island and slimmer bezels, but keep a 60Hz display to stay affordable. [7]
iPhone 17 lineup at a glance (December 2025)
Apple’s 2025 lineup consists of four phones:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone Air (a new ultra‑thin premium model)
All four share some big upgrades compared with the iPhone 16 generation:
- ProMotion 120Hz displays across the entire range (no more 60Hz base model). [8]
- New “Center Stage” 18MP front camera with a square sensor that can frame shots in portrait or landscape while you hold the phone vertically. [9]
- All 48MP rear cameras (even the non‑Pro iPhone 17), with improved ultra‑wide and macro capabilities. [10]
- A19 / A19 Pro chips on a 3nm process, with major performance and efficiency gains. [11]
- Ceramic Shield 2 front glass with three‑times better scratch resistance and improved anti‑reflection coating. [12]
Independent reviewers broadly agree that the standard iPhone 17 is now “the one most people should buy”, thanks to the combination of ProMotion, larger 6.3‑inch screen, strong battery life, and a significantly upgraded camera system at a relatively accessible price. [13]
Official iPhone 17 prices today
iPhone 17 prices (Apple Store MSRP)
According to Apple’s launch information and current pricing as tracked by Macworld, the official starting prices (US and UK) for the iPhone 17 family are: [14]
- iPhone 17 (256GB)
- US: $799
- UK: £799
- 512GB: $999 / £999
- iPhone Air (256GB)
- US: $999
- UK: £999
- 512GB: $1,199 / £1,199
- 1TB: $1,399 / £1,399
- iPhone 17 Pro (256GB)
- US: $1,099
- UK: £1,099
- 512GB: $1,299 / £1,299
- 1TB: $1,499 / £1,499
- iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB)
- US: $1,199
- UK: £1,199
- 512GB: $1,399 / £1,399
- 1TB: $1,599 / £1,599
- 2TB: $1,999 / £1,999
Notably, Apple kept the entry price for the base model at $799 / £799, but doubled base storage from 128GB to 256GB — a key reason the device is widely seen as much better value than previous non‑Pro models. [15]
Apple’s own financing offers in the US currently start around $33.29 per month for the iPhone 17 via Apple and its carrier partners, with trade‑in credits up to $700 on iPhone 13 or newer and as high as $1,100 in carrier credits toward an iPhone 17 Pro in certain deals. [16]
Carrier‑specific pricing (for example, Verizon’s 36‑month instalment plans) often makes the headline monthly cost look low, but typically ties you into multi‑year contracts. Analysts note that these “free” or heavily subsidised iPhone 17 Pro offers are a major driver of upgrades this cycle. [17]
Real‑world and used iPhone 17 prices (December 4, 2025)
On the second‑hand and refurbished market, prices are already diverging from Apple’s MSRP.
Marketplace Swappa’s live price tracker for December 4, 2025 shows: [18]
- Starting (lowest) price for iPhone 17:$757
- Average list price (all 17 models):$788
- 256GB iPhone 17 (unlocked)
- Average list price: $788
- Average sale price: $752
- 512GB iPhone 17
- Average sale price: $797
Trade‑in values are equally important if you’re upgrading:
- Trade‑in for an unlocked 256GB iPhone 17 is around $408 (Swappa’s data point).
- Carrier‑locked models tend to fetch less, often in the low‑to‑mid $300s depending on carrier. [19]
This means that a savvy buyer can often get a nearly‑new iPhone 17 for 5–10% less than Apple’s list price, or reduce their upgrade cost substantially by combining trade‑in credits with carrier promotions — but you need to read the small print on multi‑year commitments.
Today’s big story: iPhone 17 demand is reshaping the smartphone market
A record year for Apple, led by iPhone 17
Fresh data from IDC and reporting by Reuters, Business Insider and AppleInsider show that iPhone 17 demand is the central reason Apple is on track for its strongest iPhone year ever. [20]
Key numbers:
- 2025 worldwide smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 1.5% to 1.25 billion units, largely thanks to Apple’s performance. [21]
- Apple iPhone shipments in 2025 are projected around 247–247.4 million units, up about 6.1% year-on‑year, despite a generally flat market. [22]
- China, Apple’s largest market, has swung from weakness to strength: its smartphone market share has exceeded 20% in October and November, reversing earlier expectations of a 1% decline in 2025 to an estimated 3% growth instead. [23]
- iPhone revenue in 2025 is forecast to exceed $261 billion, a 7.2% year‑over‑year increase. [24]
IDC characterises this as Apple effectively “pulling the entire premium market upward”, with iPhone 17 (especially Pro and Pro Max) absorbing higher component costs more easily than lower‑margin Android rivals. [25]
What happens in 2026?
The good news may not last forever:
- IDC expects global smartphone shipments to fall by about 0.9–1% in 2026 as rising memory prices push average selling prices to record levels. [26]
- Apple is reportedly delaying its next “base” iPhone model from fall 2026 to early 2027, which will reduce iOS shipments by more than 4% that year but help protect pricing. [27]
For buyers, that suggests the iPhone 17 family is likely to remain front‑and‑centre — and relatively firm in price — for longer than usual, especially in regions where Apple traditionally keeps list pricing stable between generations.
Camera controversy: Night mode Portraits go missing on iPhone 17 Pro
One piece of news making headlines today is a subtle but important camera downgrade on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Reports from The Verge and TechRadar note that: [28]
- On iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max, Night mode is not available when you switch to Portrait mode in the Camera app.
- Apple’s own support documentation now lists iPhone 12 Pro through iPhone 16 Pro Max as supporting Night mode Portraits, but excludes iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max from that compatibility list. [29]
- Night mode still works for standard Photo, selfies and time‑lapse videos, so low‑light performance overall is still strong — but you lose the combination of Night + Portrait blur that Pro users have enjoyed for several generations. [30]
Users began flagging the omission on Reddit and Apple’s own forums in November, initially assuming it was a bug. Apple has not yet provided a public explanation or committed to restoring the feature in a future software update. [31]
For photographers and content creators who rely on stylised, shallow‑depth‑of‑field night portraits, this is a non‑trivial change and may affect whether the 17 Pro is worth the extra cost over the base iPhone 17, which still delivers excellent low‑light shots via standard Night mode. [32]
Rumoured iPhone 17e: cheaper, modern‑looking, but still 60Hz
Even with iPhone 17 sales booming, attention is already turning to Apple’s next affordable model, the rumoured iPhone 17e, expected in 2026.
Today’s coverage from 9to5Mac, Business Today and Macworld paints a picture of a phone that looks more like a flagship but keeps key cost‑saving compromises. [33]
Design & display
- Dynamic Island: The 17e is now widely rumoured to drop the classic notch and adopt the Dynamic Island cutout, aligning it visually with the main iPhone 17 family. [34]
- Thinner bezels: Multiple reports say the bezels will shrink, again making the phone look more premium. [35]
- 60Hz LTPS OLED panel: Despite the more modern look, the display is expected to remain a 6.1‑inch 60Hz LTPS OLED, similar to iPhone 16e and closer to an iPhone 14‑style design beneath the cosmetic changes. [36]
Internals & camera
- Chip: The 17e is expected to use the A19 series chip, giving it solid performance even if clocks or GPU cores are tuned down. [37]
- Cameras: Rumours suggest a single 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera, in line with Apple’s approach on the 16e and iPhone Air. [38]
Launch timing & positioning
Macworld’s 17 super‑guide and Business Today’s report both pin the iPhone 17e launch for spring 2026, with Apple and its suppliers planning to ship around 8 million OLED panels near launch. [39]
In pricing terms, the 17e is expected to sit below the $799 / £799 iPhone 17, effectively becoming the “gateway” to the modern iPhone design language while:
- Keeping 60Hz as a key differentiator (no ProMotion)
- Offering fewer cameras and more modest video features
- Potentially using materials and components closer to earlier‑gen models
If you’re hunting for the absolute cheapest way into the “new‑look” iPhone world, this is the model to watch — but it’s unlikely to undercut the iPhone 17’s price enough to tempt power users away from the main lineup.
Accessories & deals: cheaper cases, but be careful with screen protectors
Official iPhone 17 cases at record lows
On the accessory side, bargain hunters got a small piece of good news today: Apple’s official Silicone Case with MagSafe for iPhone 17 has dropped to around $24.99 in US deals, nearly 50% off its $49 list price. [40]
That’s significant because:
- Many buyers normally skip Apple’s own cases as “too expensive.”
- At this price, the official case is directly competing with mid‑range third‑party options, but with better colour matching and MagSafe tolerances designed specifically for the device.
If you’re about to buy an iPhone 17 at full price, this kind of discount on first‑party accessories softens the blow — and makes it easier to justify not cheaping out on protection.
Screen protectors vs Ceramic Shield 2
While cases are cheaper, not all screen protectors are a win for the iPhone 17 Pro’s new display glass.
A recent test highlighted by T3 suggests that some third‑party glass protectors can undermine one of Ceramic Shield 2’s biggest upgrades: anti‑reflection and scratch resistance. In side‑by‑side checks, a protected iPhone 17 Pro showed more reflections and glare than an iPhone 16 Pro without a protector, cancelling out part of Apple’s claimed improvement. [41]
The practical advice here:
- If you use a glass protector, consider higher‑quality, ultra‑thin options specifically marketed as anti‑glare‑friendly.
- If scratch resistance matters more than shatter protection, you might be better off relying on Ceramic Shield 2 alone, which is rated for three‑times better scratch resistance than last year’s glass. [42]
Which iPhone 17 should you buy right now?
Drawing on current pricing and long‑term reviews, here’s how the lineup breaks down today: [43]
iPhone 17 (256GB from $799 / £799)
- Best for: Most people
- Why:
- ProMotion 120Hz for the first time on a base model
- Larger 6.3‑inch screen with 3000‑nit peak brightness
- 48MP main + 48MP ultra‑wide, excellent Night mode, great battery life
- Double the base storage vs iPhone 16 for the same list price
If you’re upgrading from anything older than an iPhone 14, the standard iPhone 17 is the sweet spot of features vs cost.
iPhone 17 Pro (from $1,099 / £1,099)
- Best for: Enthusiasts and creators who want pro cameras and better cooling without huge size
- Why:
- Triple 48MP camera system with up to 8x optical‑quality zoom
- Vapor‑chamber cooling for sustained performance
- Aluminium chassis with a more “Pro” feel
- Trade‑off:
- Loses Night mode Portraits, which some camera‑focused users will find frustrating. [44]
iPhone 17 Pro Max (from $1,199 / £1,199)
- Best for: Power users and mobile filmmakers
- Why:
- 6.9‑inch display, the largest and brightest iPhone screen
- Longest battery life in the lineup, often ending heavy days with ~40–50% remaining in real‑world tests [45]
- Top‑tier camera zoom and pro video modes
If you live on your phone for work, content creation or travel, this is the no‑compromise option — at a very premium price.
iPhone Air (from $999 / £999)
- Best for: Design‑first buyers who want an ultra‑thin, lightweight flagship‑class phone
- Why:
- Just 5.6mm thick and 165g, with a titanium frame
- 6.5‑inch ProMotion display
- Trade‑offs:
- Only one rear camera (48MP), limited creative flexibility
- Slightly throttled performance vs Pro models for thermal reasons [46]
Buy now or wait?
Given everything happening around the iPhone 17 on December 4, 2025, here’s a pragmatic way to decide.
You should buy now if…
- Your current phone is iPhone 13 or older, especially if battery health is poor.
- You value 120Hz ProMotion, better cameras and much brighter screens more than experimental new features. [47]
- You can stack:
- A good trade‑in value (Apple or reseller) and
- A carrier promotion without locking yourself into an overpriced plan. [48]
The iPhone 17 series is mature, well reviewed, and central to Apple’s growth story. There’s no sign of imminent price cuts on Apple’s side — if anything, market pressures point to higher prices next cycle. [49]
You might want to wait if…
- You’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a 60Hz display and fewer camera features — the iPhone 17e in 2026 could be a better fit. [50]
- You care deeply about Portrait Night mode on Pro models and hope Apple reverses its decision; a future software update could restore it, but there’s no guarantee. [51]
- You want to see whether rising memory costs and Apple’s delayed base model cause other brands to respond with aggressive deals in 2026 — especially if you’re open to Android flagships. [52]
If you’re browsing Google News or Discover today and simply wondering “What’s going on with iPhone 17 right now?”, the answer is:
- It’s selling extremely well, reshaping the premium smartphone market.
- Prices are holding firm at retail, but used and trade‑in markets are already offering relief.
- There’s a genuine camera‑feature controversy on Pro models.
- And Apple is already preparing a cheaper but less advanced 17e for 2026 — which might be your next upgrade if you can live without the full iPhone 17 experience.
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.macworld.com, 3. www.macworld.com, 4. swappa.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.theverge.com, 7. 9to5mac.com, 8. www.macworld.com, 9. www.apple.com, 10. www.apple.com, 11. www.apple.com, 12. www.apple.com, 13. www.stuff.tv, 14. www.macworld.com, 15. www.macworld.com, 16. www.apple.com, 17. appleinsider.com, 18. swappa.com, 19. swappa.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.theverge.com, 29. www.theverge.com, 30. www.theverge.com, 31. www.theverge.com, 32. www.stuff.tv, 33. 9to5mac.com, 34. 9to5mac.com, 35. 9to5mac.com, 36. www.businesstoday.in, 37. www.businesstoday.in, 38. www.businesstoday.in, 39. www.macworld.com, 40. 9to5toys.com, 41. www.t3.com, 42. www.apple.com, 43. www.macworld.com, 44. www.techradar.com, 45. www.macworld.com, 46. www.macworld.com, 47. www.apple.com, 48. www.apple.com, 49. www.reuters.com, 50. 9to5mac.com, 51. www.theverge.com, 52. www.reuters.com
