iPhone 17 Launch Nears: Leaked Design, Pricing, Display, Battery, and Key Details Revealed

Apple is preparing for one of its most significant iPhone releases in years, with the iPhone 17 series expected to debut next month. While the company has not officially confirmed the launch date, industry insiders anticipate an early September reveal. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that September 9 or 10 could be the unveiling dates, aligning with Apple’s tradition of hosting events in the second week of September, right after the US Labour Day holiday.

The upcoming event is likely to feature four new smartphones — iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — along with the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch SE 3, and Watch Ultra 3.

Design Changes: Slimmer Build and New Camera Layout

Leaks indicate notable design upgrades for the iPhone 17 lineup. The iPhone 17 Air and Pro variants might feature a horizontal rear camera arrangement, replacing the vertical layout seen in recent generations. The Air model could be significantly slimmer — around 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro — making it lighter, more comfortable to hold, yet still capable of high performance.

Display Enhancements Across the Range

Apple could introduce larger display sizes this year. The standard iPhone 17 may increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, offering a more immersive viewing experience. Regular models are also expected to get a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature previously limited to Pro models.

Pro models might debut a new anti-glare, scratch-resistant coating, aimed at improving visibility in bright sunlight and matching competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy S series.

Powerful A19 Chipset and Better Cooling

All four iPhone 17 models will likely run on Apple’s A19 processor, promising faster performance and improved power efficiency. The iPhone 17 Air and Pro variants could also feature vapour chamber cooling technology to maintain peak performance during intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video editing.

Connectivity upgrades are expected, with Wi-Fi 7 support across all models. RAM configurations may differ — 12GB for Air and Pro versions, while the base model retains 8GB.

Camera Upgrades: Sharper Selfies and Advanced Photography

The front camera could see a significant leap from 12MP to 24MP, enhancing selfie quality and video calls, especially in low light. On the rear, the base iPhone 17 is expected to continue with a 48MP main sensor, while advanced telephoto capabilities remain exclusive to Pro models.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max could introduce a mechanical aperture system, enabling better adaptability to various lighting conditions for superior photography results.

Battery and Charging Improvements

Although exact battery capacities are yet to be confirmed, larger displays suggest bigger battery packs for sustained usage. Charging speeds may increase to 35W across all models — a modest improvement but still slower than many Android competitors offering 100W or faster charging.

Launch Timeline, Pre-Orders, and Pricing

If Apple follows its usual schedule, media invites will go out in the first week of September, with pre-orders starting a few days after the event. Retail availability is expected around September 12 or September 19.

Prices in the US might rise by $50 for the iPhone 17 Air, Pro, and Pro Max due to increased tariffs and component costs. Estimated US prices:

• iPhone 17: $829 (~₹72,600)

• iPhone 17 Air: $979 (~₹85,700)

• iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049 (~₹91,900)

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,249 (~₹1,09,400)

In India, prices are usually higher due to import duties. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max launched at ₹1,44,900. If global price hikes occur, Indian buyers could face even steeper costs.

India’s Position in Apple’s Strategy

India remains a crucial market for Apple, both in sales and as a growing manufacturing hub. In 2024, Apple kept Indian prices slightly lower for Pro models compared to previous years. It will be interesting to see if the company repeats this strategy or passes on the expected price increase to consumers.