Apple's biggest annual event of the year, dubbed "Awe Dropping," has just concluded, and as expected, the tech giant delivered a massive refresh to its flagship smartphone lineup. In a move that signals a bold new design direction, Apple has introduced not three, but four new iPhones, including a new "Air" model. Here's a detailed breakdown of all the devices and features announced.
Read Also → All Of The Iphone 17 Models Compared
A New Vision for the iPhone
This year's launch is a significant departure from Apple's recent strategy of subtle refinements. The iPhone 17 series features a completely redesigned aesthetic, with a new focus on durability and thermal efficiency. Gone is the familiar square camera bump on the Pro models, replaced by a new "plateau" or "full-width camera array" that runs horizontally across the back of the phone. This shift in design is not just for looks; it allows for new cooling systems and larger batteries.
Apple has also transitioned from titanium to a new aluminum unibody design for the Pro models, a surprising change that the company claims improves heat dissipation and reduces weight. Furthermore, the company has introduced a new generation of its Ceramic Shield, which now protects both the front and back of the iPhone for the first time.
iPhone 17
The standard iPhone 17 receives some of the most impressive upgrades, bringing it closer to the performance of the Pro models.
- Design and Display: The iPhone 17 retains a similar overall design to its predecessor but features a slightly larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display. Crucially, this year's standard model now includes ProMotion technology with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro lineup. It also boasts a peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits.
- Performance: The iPhone 17 is powered by the new A19 chip, built on a 3nm process. Apple claims the A19 chip delivers a significant performance boost over the previous generation, with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU.
- Camera: The camera system gets a major upgrade, moving to a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system. This includes a 48MP main sensor with 2x optical-quality telephoto and a 48MP Ultra Wide camera. The front-facing camera has also been upgraded to a revolutionary new Center Stage camera, which uses AI to keep people in frame during video calls and group selfies.
- Storage and Pricing: The iPhone 17 now starts with 256GB of storage, double the entry-level storage from the previous generation. It is available in five colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white, with a starting price of $799.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
The new Pro models are where Apple is pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology, with a complete design overhaul and professional-grade features.
- Design and Display: The Pro and Pro Max models feature the new aluminum unibody design with a horizontal camera plateau. The Ceramic Shield 2 now covers both the front and back, providing 3x better scratch resistance and 4x more resistance to cracks on the back. Both models feature displays with a 3,000 nits peak brightness and ProMotion.
- Performance and Cooling: The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with the new A19 Pro chip, which Apple says delivers "MacBook-level processing power." To manage the heat from this powerful chip, Apple has introduced a vapor chamber cooling system for the first time in an iPhone, ensuring sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Camera: The camera system is a highlight of the Pro models. For the first time, all three rear cameras are 48MP. The new telephoto lens offers an incredible 8x optical zoom, a significant leap from the 5x limit on previous models. The front-facing camera is also an 18MP Center Stage camera.
- Storage and Pricing: The Pro models start with 256GB of storage and go up to a massive 2TB. New colors include deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199.
Introducing the iPhone Air
In a surprising move, Apple has introduced a brand new model to its lineup: the iPhone Air. Positioned as a mid-tier option, the iPhone Air is a testament to engineering prowess.
- Design: The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made, measuring an astonishing 5.6mm thick. This ultra-thin design is made possible by a Grade 5 titanium frame and a unique sculpted "plateau" on the back that houses the cameras, speaker, and silicon, maximizing space for the battery.
- Performance: Despite its thin profile, the iPhone Air is powered by the same powerful A19 Pro chip as the Pro models. To compensate for the thin design, it leverages an optimized cooling system and software features like Adaptive Power to deliver all-day battery life.
- Camera: It features a 48MP dual rear camera and a 12MP telephoto lens, along with the new 18MP Center Stage front camera.
- Pricing: The iPhone Air will be available in four finishes: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, with a starting price of $999.
Other Announcements
In addition to the new iPhones, Apple also announced a host of other products and software updates:
- AirPods Pro 3: The new AirPods Pro get a redesign with a smaller case and new health sensors, including a heart rate monitor. They also feature a new H3 chip and a live translation feature.
- Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3: The new Apple Watches bring upgraded health monitoring tools, including blood pressure monitoring on the Series 11, and new satellite messaging capabilities on the Ultra 3.
- iOS 26: The new operating system features a "Liquid Glass" design language, new AI-powered features with Apple Intelligence, and a more vibrant Lock Screen.
Availability
Pre-orders for the new iPhone 17 lineup begin on Friday, September 12, with availability starting on Friday, September 19.