The iPhone 17 Air adds extra complexity to Apple’s lineup, but our guide to its differences and similarities will help you choose the right one.
Apple’s 2025 iPhones have arrived, marking the first big shake-up in years. The standard iPhone 17 sticks to a familiar design, while the iPhone 17 Pro lineup debuts a fresh look. Joining them is the all-new iPhone Air—a super-thin, ultra-light model that revives the meaning of the “Air” name, despite its dilution in recent iPad branding.
Preorders open on September 12, with sales beginning September 19. If you’re planning an upgrade, here’s a breakdown of the iPhone 17 family to help you decide which model fits best.
Upgrading Isn’t Essential
If you’re using an iPhone that’s only a few years old, there’s usually no urgent need to jump to Apple’s latest release—unless your current device has real issues. In many cases, simple fixes like a battery replacement or a few troubleshooting steps can keep your phone running smoothly. The key takeaway: don’t feel pressured to upgrade just because a new model is out.
But if you’re committed to getting an iPhone 17, make the switch wisely. We’ve put together a guide on selling your old iPhone so it doesn’t end up forgotten in a drawer. Before upgrading, be sure to back up your data, then factory reset your device before selling or passing it on. We also cover tips for setting up your new iPhone and adjusting key settings to get the best experience.
Which iPhone 17 Should You Choose?
The Common Features
Let’s take a quick look at what all the iPhone 17 models share this year—including the iPhone Air, even though it doesn’t carry the “17” label.
The Display
While the iPhone 17 lineup varies in size, every model comes with an OLED screen—branded by Apple as the Super Retina XDR display—and now includes ProMotion technology. This marks the first time ProMotion, Apple’s 120-Hz refresh rate feature, is available on non-Pro models.
On previous iPhones, the display refreshed 60 times per second, but with 120 Hz, animations, scrolling, and interactions feel much smoother. The refresh rate is also adaptive, dropping as low as 1 Hz when the screen is mostly static. Thanks to this, both the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air now support an always-on display.
Apple has also upgraded durability and visibility: the new Ceramic Shield 2 glass is three times more scratch-resistant, and an antireflective coating cuts down glare. In addition, the displays reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making them easier to read even in bright sunlight.
The camera
The Selfie Camera
Every iPhone 17 model comes with the same front-facing camera—a new square-shaped 18-megapixel sensor that delivers sharper, more detailed selfies. The square design also enables smarter group shots. You can hold your phone in portrait orientation for comfort, and the camera will automatically zoom out and shift to a landscape view to fit everyone in the frame. All models also feature Dual Capture, letting you record with both the front and rear cameras at once.
Core Specs
Across the lineup, Apple maintains the essentials: IP68 water and dust resistance, Face ID, a Camera Control button, Action Button, USB-C, and Qi2 magnetic wireless charging (MagSafe). Storage begins at 256 GB on every device. You’ll also get Apple Intelligence features, along with Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection. Under the hood, all iPhones now include Apple’s N1 wireless chip, supporting Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread connectivity.
iPhone 17 – Starting at $799 (Apple)
For most people, the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 will be the most practical choice. It’s slightly larger than its predecessor, comes with more storage, and now includes Apple’s ProMotion 120-Hz display for smoother performance. This model is powered by the base A19 chip, which handles everyday apps and games well, though the higher-end models in the lineup will offer stronger performance in graphics-intensive tasks.
The iPhone 17 also gets the new Ceramic Shield 2 protection on the front glass, but the tougher original Ceramic Shield on the back remains exclusive to the Air and Pro versions. Camera-wise, it features a 48-MP main sensor and a newly upgraded 48-MP ultrawide lens, which should deliver results on par with the Pro models, even if the main camera doesn’t quite match their quality.
iPhone Air – $999 (Apple)
The iPhone Air stands out as the most unique model in the lineup. Measuring just 5.6 mm thick and weighing 165 grams, it’s the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever. To keep the slim frame durable, Apple built it with titanium, and the back uses the original Ceramic Shield, giving it a durability edge over the iPhone 17. It also introduces a 6.5-inch display, a size not seen on any other iPhone this year.
The slim design comes with trade-offs. The iPhone Air is limited to a single 48-MP rear camera, matching the iPhone 17 but dropping the ultrawide and telephoto options. It also lacks Cinematic mode and spatial video recording, features available on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. On the performance side, the Air runs on the A19 Pro chip, a step up from the standard A19 in the base model, though it remains to be seen how big the performance gap actually is.
Battery and Connectivity
Among the new iPhones, the iPhone Air has the weakest battery life based on Apple’s estimates. Still, Apple says it performs on par with the iPhone 16 Plus (2024), so real-world use will be the true test. Charging is also slower compared to the rest of the lineup. Over USB-C, it’s limited to USB 2 speeds (480 Mbps) and takes about 30 minutes to reach 50%, while the iPhone 17 can do the same in 20 minutes with a fast charger. Wireless charging is capped at 20 watts via Qi2, instead of the 25 watts supported on other models.
The Air is also the only iPhone equipped with Apple’s new C1X modem, designed for efficiency. However, it sacrifices support for millimeter-wave 5G, working only with sub-6 GHz 5G. For most users, this won’t be a dealbreaker since millimeter-wave 5G is limited to crowded spots like stadiums, airports, and dense city areas—but it’s still worth noting.
iPhone 17 Pro – $1,099 (Apple)
The iPhone 17 Pro keeps the familiar 6.3-inch screen size but switches to an aluminum unibody design instead of titanium, which Apple claims improves heat dissipation. Like the Air, it features Ceramic Shield glass on the back and the tougher Ceramic Shield 2 on the front.
This year, the Pro models also introduce a vapor chamber cooling system, a thermal solution long used in Android devices. It works by cycling a small amount of liquid inside the chamber between vapor and liquid states, helping distribute heat more effectively and keeping the iPhone cooler under heavy use. Combined with the A19 Pro chip, which has an additional graphics core compared to the Air, the iPhone 17 Pro is built for stronger and more consistent performance.
The iPhone 17 Pro now boasts a 48-MP telephoto lens, giving it a full triple 48-MP camera setup. It supports 4X optical zoom and up to 8X optical-quality zoom. Video creators will appreciate its exclusives like 4K recording at 120 fps, Genlock, and ProRes RAW. It also offers superior stabilization, an enhanced flash, improved microphones, and the Lidar scanner, which remains limited to Pro models.
iPhone 17 Pro Max – $1,199 (Apple)
The iPhone 17 Pro Max mirrors the Pro in features but increases the size to a 6.9-inch display. It’s the heaviest iPhoneyet but compensates with the largest battery, rated for up to 39 hours of video playback (versus 33 on the Pro). It’s also the only iPhone offering a massive 2 TB storage option. Like the Pro, it supports USB 3 speeds up to 10 Gbps, making it far faster than the iPhone 17 and Air for data transfers.
Which iPhone 17 Should You Buy?
- iPhone 17 – The best choice for most people, thanks to the 120-Hz display and 256 GB base storage.
- iPhone Air – Ideal if you want the lightest, thinnest iPhone and don’t rely heavily on advanced camera features.
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max – Perfect for those who want top-tier performance and camera versatility. The Pro is great for gamers and creators who want manageable size, while the Pro Max is for anyone who values a huge display and maximum battery life.
How to Unlock the iPhone 17
I usually suggest purchasing your iPhone unlocked. It makes changing carriers simple and allows easy use of an international eSIM when traveling. iPhones bought directly from Apple are generally unlocked, except when purchased through an AT&T installment plan, which locks the device to that network. Choosing the unlocked iPhone 17 costs $829—$30 more than the standard $799—but the flexibility is worth the extra price.
The best place to purchase an iPhone is Apple.com, or through the Apple Store app, where preorders go live at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET. You can save your preferred configuration ahead of time (before midnight ET on September 12) to check out faster.
Apple also includes a three-month free trial of Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, Apple TV+, and Apple Music. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be billed.
- iPhone 17: $829 (256 GB)
- iPhone Air: $929 (256 GB)
- iPhone 17 Pro: $999 (256 GB)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199 (256 GB)
Carrier Deals (Locked Models)
If you buy through a carrier, most discounts come as monthly bill credits, tying you to a long-term plan.
- T-Mobile: Up to $1,100 off any iPhone 17 model (including the Air) with a trade-in, even in poor condition. New customers switching get up to $830 off. Orders can be placed instantly through the T-Life app.
- Verizon: Up to $1,100 off an iPhone 17, Pro, Pro Max, or Air with a trade-in and eligible unlimited plan. Bundles include an Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, or $500 off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (service plan required).
- AT&T: Up to $1,100 off the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, or up to $830 off the iPhone 17 or Air, with a qualifying trade-in.
- Boost Mobile: Up to $830 off all iPhone 17 models on the Infinite Access Plan, or up to $1,000 off if purchased via Apple.com and Boost Mobile is chosen at checkout.
- Best Buy: Sells the lineup but locks devices to AT&T or Verizon. Save $830 on the iPhone 17 or Air, and up to $1,100 on the Pro models with a trade-in. Purchases include a three-month trial of Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+.iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Ultimate Comparison
