Apple’s iPhone 17 series, unveiled on September 9, 2025, is shaking things up with four stunning models: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. From the ultra-thin Air to the powerhouse Pro Max, each phone brings unique upgrades over the iPhone 16 lineup.
With pre-orders live since September 12 and sales starting September 19, it’s time to decide which one’s right for you. Let’s break down their prices, designs, cameras, and specs to help you choose!
iPhone 17 Series Pricing and Availability
Apple kept prices mostly steady, with only the iPhone 17 Pro seeing a slight hike. All models now start at 256GB storage, a big jump from last year’s 128GB base. Here’s the pricing:
| Model | Starting Price (USD/INR) | Storage Options | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $799 / ₹82,900 | 256GB, 512GB | Pre-order: Sept 12, Sale: Sept 19 |
| iPhone Air | $999 / ₹1,19,900 | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pre-order: Sept 12, Sale: Sept 19 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $1,099 / ₹1,34,900 | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Pre-order: Sept 12, Sale: Sept 19 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199 / ₹1,49,900 | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | Pre-order: Sept 12, Sale: Sept 19 |
Want deals? Check out carrier offers from T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T for up to $1,100 off with trade-ins.
Design: Sleek, Thin, and Bold
Apple revamped the iPhone 17 series with fresh designs:
- iPhone 17: A vertical pill-shaped camera bump replaces the old square design. At 7.95mm thick and 177g, it’s compact with an aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield 2 front. Colors: Lavender, Light Blue, Dark Gray, Silver-White, Green.
- iPhone Air: The star of the show at 5.6mm thick and 165g, it’s Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever. Its titanium frame ensures durability, paired with Ceramic Shield front and back. Colors: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Ethereal Blue.
- iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: Both feature a horizontal “Camera Plateau” spanning the back, with aluminum unibody frames for 20x better heat dissipation. The Pro is 206g (8.75mm), and Pro Max is 233g with a larger 6.9-inch display. Colors: Silver, Deep Blue, Bright Orange.
The Air’s slim profile makes it a standout, but its single camera is a trade-off compared to the dual (iPhone 17) or triple (Pro/Pro Max) setups.
Display Upgrades Across the Board
All models boast Super Retina XDR OLED displays with ProMotion (1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate) and 3,000-nit peak brightness—up from 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16. This makes them easier to read in sunlight. The Ceramic Shield 2 front glass is 3x more scratch-resistant, and all support always-on displays.
- iPhone 17 & 17 Pro: 6.3-inch, 2,622 x 1,206 pixels, 460ppi.
- iPhone Air: 6.5-inch, 2,736 x 1,260 pixels, 460ppi.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch, 2,868 x 1,320 pixels, 460ppi.
The ProMotion upgrade on the base iPhone 17 is a game-changer for smooth scrolling and animations.
Cameras: From Single to Pro-Grade
Cameras are a big differentiator:
- iPhone 17: Dual 48MP setup (main + ultrawide with Macro). The ultrawide is upgraded from 12MP, and the 18MP Center Stage front camera auto-zooms for group selfies without rotating the phone. Supports 4K video and Dual Fusion for 24MP crop-zoom shots.
- iPhone Air: Single 48MP main camera, similar to the iPhone 16E. No ultrawide or telephoto, limiting versatility. Same 18MP front camera with Center Stage.
- iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: Triple 48MP system (main, ultrawide, 4x/8x telephoto). The telephoto jumps from 12MP to 48MP, offering 200mm focal length and 40x digital zoom (up from 25x). Features ProRes RAW, Genlock, and better stabilization for filmmakers. Same 18MP front camera.
The square-shaped front camera sensor across all models doubles the vertical space for smarter framing, perfect for horizontal selfies.
Performance and Battery Life
The iPhone 17 series is powered by Apple’s latest chips:
- iPhone 17: A19 chip (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU), 20% faster than the iPhone 16’s A18. Up to 30 hours video playback.
- iPhone Air: A19 Pro chip (5-core GPU) with Apple’s C1X 5G modem (sub-6 only). Up to 27 hours video playback, slightly less due to its thin design.
- iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: A19 Pro chip (6-core GPU) with vapor chamber cooling for 40% better sustained performance. Pro: 33 hours; Pro Max: 39 hours video playback.
All models likely have 8GB RAM (unconfirmed) for Apple Intelligence. The N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. iOS 26 brings a Liquid Glass interface, updated iMessage, and a streamlined Camera app.
Which iPhone 17 Should You Choose?
- iPhone 17 ($799): Best for most users with its 6.3-inch ProMotion display, dual cameras, and great value. Ideal for everyday tasks.
- iPhone Air ($999): Perfect for style lovers who want a thin, premium phone but don’t need multiple cameras.
- iPhone 17 Pro ($1,099): For creators needing triple cameras, 8x zoom, and pro video features in a compact size.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max ($1,199): Ultimate choice for big-screen fans, with the best battery and 2TB storage option.
Pre-order now to secure your model—stocks may run low!
FAQs: iPhone 17 Series Comparison
What’s the cheapest iPhone 17 model?
The iPhone 17 starts at $799 (₹82,900) with 256GB storage.
How is the iPhone Air different?
It’s 5.6mm thick with a titanium frame and single 48MP camera, prioritizing style over camera versatility.
Which iPhone 17 has the best camera?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have triple 48MP cameras with 8x telephoto zoom and ProRes RAW.
What’s new in the iPhone 17 display?
All models have ProMotion (1-120Hz), 3,000-nit brightness, and Ceramic Shield 2 for better durability.
Where can I pre-order the iPhone 17 series?
Order via Apple’s website, Amazon, Flipkart, or retailers like Croma and Reliance Digital.