Apple Is Announcing the iPhone 17 Lineup on Tuesday: Rumors, Prices, New Features & Everything Else You Need to Know

Tuesday is the big day! Apple is set to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup during the 2025 “Awe-dropping” event. Mark your calendars for September 9 at 1 PM ET. These new phones are expected to come preloaded with the latest iOS 26, alongside a host of fresh features Apple will reveal on stage. While Apple keeps its secrets close, leaks from supply chains, case manufacturers, and credible reports give us a strong idea of what’s coming. Here’s what we expect from Cupertino in just a few days.

What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors?
Industry insiders, particularly Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, are buzzing with predictions. We’re expecting four new iPhone 17 models, with a groundbreaking super-thin device, possibly named the iPhone Air, stealing the spotlight. Alongside it, we anticipate the standard iPhone 17, plus the premium Pro and larger Pro Max models, which typically boast the best cameras and advanced features.

But iPhones aren’t the only hardware on the agenda. Up to three new Apple Watch models could debut, including the satellite-connected Apple Watch Ultra 3, a potential new entry-level Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Series 11. Also rumored are the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which might introduce heart-rate monitoring and a live translation feature.

Gurman’s reports, consistent with earlier whispers and even an appearance on the Engadget Podcast, have been incredibly detailed, right down to screen and handset sizes. This precision is further backed by case manufacturers like Dbrand, who have already revealed their cases for the full iPhone 17 line, hinting at the exact dimensions. Of course, until Apple makes it official on Tuesday, consider all this exciting speculation!

How much will the iPhone 17 cost?
Pricing is always a hot topic, especially with fluctuating trade policies. While Apple’s expanded US manufacturing might offer some buffer against tariffs that have affected other electronics, ongoing reliance on Asia-based supply chains means price adjustments are always possible. The big question is whether Apple will absorb any increased costs or pass them on to consumers.

One notable rumor, from MacRumors via “Instant Digital,” suggests a potential “upgrade” to soften any blow: the base storage for the iPhone 17 line might double from 128GB to 256GB. This could come with a modest $50 price increase, which Apple might frame as a “better value.” Historically, Apple has sometimes increased specs without raising prices, like doubling Mac computer RAM in 2024, but that was before the current tariff climate.

A recent report from JPMorgan, highlighted by 9to5Mac, offers a mixed outlook. It projects starting prices will remain similar to current models, ranging from $799 to $1,199. However, the iPhone Air could see a $50 bump compared to the iPhone Plus model it’s replacing, and the 17 Pro might cost an additional $100 but come with more storage. Remember, these are still just projections until Apple’s official announcement.

When will the iPhone 17 series be announced?
The date is set: Tuesday, September 9. This aligns perfectly with Apple’s long-standing tradition for iPhone launches, as reported earlier by iphone-ticker.de and MacRumors.

However, this might be one of the last times we see a full iPhone lineup announced all at once in September. Whispers suggest that starting with the iPhone 18 in 2026, Apple might split its release schedule, unveiling pro-tier models in the fall and standard models the following spring.

What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?

Design leaks point to an ultra-thin smartphone, likely dubbed the iPhone 17 Air, mirroring Apple’s lightweight laptop branding. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in January (and reaffirmed recently) that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a basic A19 chip, a single camera lens, and Apple’s new in-house modem, previously introduced in the iPhone 16e.

Gurman elaborated on the Engadget Podcast, suggesting the 17 Air might be “rough around the edges” initially, with subpar camera and battery performance compared to the base 17 or Pro models. The long-term goal, he noted, is to integrate Pro model functionality into the Air line. Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated the Air would boast a titanium frame, making it the only iPhone 17 model to use this metal, with the standard, Pro, and Pro Max models expected to stick with lighter aluminum.

Further leaks from a Korean Naver blog, reported by MacRumors, claim the iPhone Air’s internal battery is incredibly thin at 2.49mm – half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery – with a capacity of just 2,800 mAh, which is less than current iPhone 16 models. Fortunately, Bloomberg confirmed that Apple decided against removing the charging port from the iPhone 17 Air, and it’s expected to feature a 6.6-inch screen, Dynamic Island, and the Camera Control button.

For the iPhone 17 Pro, a production leak showcased an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors via leaker Majin Bu. This change from the current Pro models’ titanium frame could significantly reduce weight. Majin Bu, a sometimes-reliable leaker, also suggested improved wireless signal strength for the iPhone 17 Pro due to a redesigned antenna system shown in a render, wrapping around a supposedly wider rear camera bump.

Regarding accessories, Majin Bu also claims “TechWoven” cases might be introduced. MacRumors reported these cases would match the new iPhone 17 design, feature two lanyard holes for easy carrying, and come in grey/black, blue, green, purple, and orange. Additionally, new Liquid Silicone cases are rumored in eight colors: Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue, and Midnight Black. A clear iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max case leak also revealed a large rear camera bump cutout and a white rectangular piece covering the MagSafe area.

A significant design shift for the new Pro iPhones is a rumored full-width “camera island” on the rear, a first for Apple. This feature was seemingly “spotted in the wild” in photos shared on X by Fox Pupy, highlighted by MacRumors. The images show a black-cased iPhone with this distinct back panel, and while the dual angles add some credibility, the prevalence of AI fakes means we’re still cautious.

Display-wise, the iPhone 17 Pro models could boast Apple’s brightest display yet, making them “more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods,” according to “Instant Digital” via MacRumors. Existing 16 Pro models can already double their max brightness in sunlight, so this would be an exciting improvement.

We also have a strong indication of the color palette for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will come in black, white, steel gray, green, purple, and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to offer black, white, light blue, and light gold, with less saturated hues. The Pro and Pro Max models, however, are going bold with black, white, gray, dark blue, and orange. Mark Gurman further confirmed the orange for Pro/Max and light blue for Air in his Power On newsletter. Sonny Dickson, a reliable leaker, also shared “dummy” iPhone 17 models on X showcasing these new colors, providing a glimpse of how they might look.

Finally, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e (expected later, possibly February 2026, if it follows the 16e pattern) will get a new design, including the Dynamic Island, an A19 chip, a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 12-megapixel front camera, and a 48-megapixel rear camera.

What will iOS 26 be like?
Apple has updated its operating system naming, now aligning with the release year, so the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26. The software, first showcased at WWDC 2025, introduced a “Liquid Glass” design philosophy, which emphasizes a glass-like visual aesthetic. While Apple has since scaled back some of the more contentious transparency effects in beta tests, the core visual remains.

iOS 26 brings both significant and subtle enhancements. The Phone and Photos apps have undergone redesigns. AI is a major focus, with features like live translation coming to Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. Apple is also testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that can freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning. Visual Intelligence, another AI-powered tool, will allow users to search for elements within images.

Beyond the major updates, iOS 26 offers numerous quality-of-life improvements. Group texts will finally support polls, and for those who cherish their sleep, you’ll finally be able to customize the snooze time on alarms, breaking free from the dreaded nine-minute default.

The iOS 26 public beta is currently available. Our initial impressions suggest the Liquid Glass design is better than some might think, and the OS is compatible with all iPhone models from the iPhone 11 onwards.

What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17?
Following Apple’s typical pattern, the iPhone 17 launch event will likely feature new Apple Watch products. This could include the Apple Watch Series 11, potentially an Apple Watch Ultra 3, and/or an updated Apple Watch SE, all running watchOS 26. We also expect a new version of the Apple AirPods Pro, which last received a major update in 2022. There’s a possibility of new AirTags trackers, though these might arrive later.

Mid-August saw a flurry of excitement with product ID numbers reportedly found in recent beta software builds. MacRumors highlighted a long list of new hardware, including rumored updates to Apple TV, HomePod mini, a new Apple Studio Display monitor, and two fresh iPads. However, even if these leaks are accurate, these products might not appear until 2026 or later. Apple tends to keep the spotlight on the iPhone during its main September event.

It’s also worth remembering Apple’s recent trend of holding Mac-centric announcements in late October (like last year’s M4 Mac debut). So, there’s always a chance of more hardware reveals a few weeks after the iPhone event.