iPhone 17 models: comparing specifications, camera & design rumours
The new iPhone release is always one of the biggest tech events of the year, and the new iPhone 2025 looks set to bring plenty of exciting upgrades. With four models rumoured to be on the way, including a brand-new addition, Apple fans have a lot to look forward to! From design tweaks to camera upgrades, here’s everything we know about the iPhone 17 specifications.
In this blog:
Rumoured specs at a glance
If the rumours are true, here’s how the four iPhone 17 models could compare:
| Feature | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Display | 6.3″ OLED,
120Hz ProMotion |
6.6″ OLED,
120Hz ProMotion |
6.3″ OLED,
120Hz ProMotion |
6.9″ OLED,
120Hz ProMotion |
| Chipset | A19 | A19 Pro
(5-core GPU) |
A19 Pro
(6-core GPU) |
A19 Pro
(6-core GPU) |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Rear Camera | Dual-lens system | Single-lens | Triple-lens
(including telephoto) |
Triple 48MP lenses,
telephoto with 8x optical zoom |
| Front Camera | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP | 24MP |
| Camera Design | Vertical pill stack | Horizontal bar | Horizontal bar | Horizontal bar |
| Frame | Aluminium | Titanium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Colours | Black, White, Steel Grey,
Green, Purple, Light Blue |
Black, White, Light Blue,
Light Gold |
Black, White, Grey,
Dark Blue, Orange |
Black, White, Grey,
Dark Blue, Orange |
| Charging | Standard MagSafe | Standard MagSafe | Faster Qi 2.2 | Faster Qi 2.2 |
| Dynamic Island | Smaller
(metalens tech) |
Smaller
(metalens tech) |
Smaller
(metalens tech) |
Smaller
(metalens tech) |
Display
The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro are both tipped to feature 6.3-inch displays, giving the base model an extra bit of display size. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is said to come with a 6.9-inch screen, so no massive changes there. The newcomer, the iPhone 17 Air, may slot in with an impressive 6.6-inch display.
Verdict: If you want a big screen then the Pro Max model will likely be your model of choice. If you prefer a smaller screen, both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro could be worth considering.
Colours
When it comes to design, colour is where the iPhone 17 series starts to stand out. The iPhone 17 could arrive in black, white, steel grey, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air is expected in softer tones like black, white, light blue and light gold, offering a more lightweight aesthetic. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to stick with the usual professional look, with finishes in black, white, grey, dark blue, and orange.
Verdict: Each model has colour options for those who enjoy a pop of colour and those who prefer a simple black or white shade, so it’s down to you which model to choose!
Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 specs could see a bit of a jump in performance. The standard iPhone 17 is tipped to run on the new A19 chip, while the rumoured iPhone 17 Pro Max specs and 17 Pro specs suggest a more powerful A19 Pro chip. The rumoured iPhone 17 Air specifications also suggest it will run the A19 Pro, but with a slightly downgraded 5-core GPU to keep it distinct from the Pro models.
A big highlight is that all models are expected to get 120Hz ProMotion displays, meaning even the base iPhone 17 should support Always-On Display – something previously reserved for the Pro models.
On the memory and charging front, the iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications and its Pro sibling may include 12GB of RAM and upgraded Qi 2.2 wireless charging, offering faster and more efficient performance.
Verdict: The Pro Models are likely to have the upper hand when it comes to performance, so it’s something to consider before you upgrade.
Design
Image credit: MajinBuOfficial
Interestingly, Apple may shake up the materials this year. Most models are expected to feature aluminium frames, while the rumoured iPhone 17 Air specifications hint at a titanium frame to keep the weight down.
The camera design is also evolving. The iPhone 17 is rumoured to retain the pill-shaped camera stack from the iPhone 16, while the iPhone 17 Air camera system could sit in a horizontal bar across the back. Both the iPhone 17 Pro camera design and Pro Max are said to follow this horizontal layout too.
Verdict: If you want a lighter device, no doubt the iPhone 17 Air will be the winning model for you. If you don’t like the idea of a horizontal camera bar that takes up quite a bit of real estate on the back of your device, then you might want to stay away from the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models.
Camera
The rumoured iPhone 17 camera specs are perhaps the most exciting changes that could come with the new series.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to be the first iPhone to feature three 48MP rear cameras, complete with an upgraded telephoto lens and a new 8x optical zoom made possible by a tetraprism lens. The iPhone 17 Pro camera system could also see a 48MP telephoto lens, though it might not match the Pro Max’s zoom power.
For casual users, the base iPhone 17 specifications suggest a dual-lens setup, while the iPhone 17 Air camera system may stick with a single-lens design, making it a lighter and simpler option.
Across the board, all models are tipped to get a huge upgrade on the front with a 24MP selfie camera, doubling the resolution compared to the iPhone 16’s 12MP lens. On top of this, there are rumours of an Apple Pro camera app exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, giving enthusiasts more manual control over photography and video.
Verdict: Unsurprisingly, the Pro models could offer the best camera specs, with the iPhone 17 Air camera specs rumoured to be the most underwhelming of the series. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 camera could offer some slight improvements from last years base model.
Final thoughts
From bold new colours and lightweight designs to the most powerful iPhone 17 Pro Max specs yet, Apple’s upcoming lineup is shaping up to offer something for everyone. The introduction of the iPhone 17 Air specifications could give users a new middle-ground option – offering some Pro-level features without the Pro price tag (or Pro weightiness!)
Whether you’re drawn to the cutting-edge rumoured iPhone 17 Pro camera design or the extra performance supposedly packed into the iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications, the new iPhone 2025 looks ready to shake up the smartphone market.
Looking to upgrade to the new iPhone 17 series? Sell iPhone devices today to make your upgrade more affordable! You can sell iPhone 16, sell iPhone 16 Plus, sell iPhone 16 Pro, sell iPhone 16 Pro Max and much more, all for quick cash.
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