iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air & iPhone 17 Pro: which one should you buy?
iPhone 17s Photo credit: tomsguide
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 line-up is surrounded by leaks and speculation, with whispers of an ultra-thin new model and upgraded cameras and chips across the range. Nothing is confirmed until Apple announces the devices, but the rumour mill gives a good indication of what to expect — and which model might best suit different kinds of buyers.
Rumoured changes in the iPhone 17 range
Supply-chain reports and industry insiders suggest Apple will replace the iPhone 16 family with four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The thinline Air is tipped to take the place of the Plus model. All details below are rumoured and should be treated as speculation until Apple confirms them.
iPhone 17 – The everyday upgrade
The standard iPhone 17 is rumoured to deliver sensible, user-facing improvements: a smoother display for everyday use, a sharper front camera for better selfies and faster charging. It’s expected to remain the most all-round, value-oriented option in the new line-up, though it may not receive the brand-new chip that the Pro models will likely get.
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals
- Larger 6.27-inch screen with slimmer bezels
- 24MP front-facing camera
- Aluminium frame with partial glass detailing
- 35W wired charging and faster wireless charging (rumoured Qi 2.2 support)
- May retain the iPhone 16’s processor rather than adopting the A19
iPhone 17 Air – Thin, stylish and compromised
The iPhone 17 Air is said to be Apple’s design statement for this cycle: exceptionally slim and striking to hold. That aesthetic comes with trade-offs, though — leaked specs point to a smaller battery and a simplified rear camera setup that could put off power users.
- Just 5.5mm thick at its slimmest point
- 6.6-inch 120Hz display
- Powered by the A19 chip with Apple C1 modem (rumoured)
- 24MP selfie camera and 35W charging
- Single 48MP rear camera lens
- Approx. 2,900mAh battery — endurance may be limited
- Likely eSIM-only in some markets
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max – Premium powerhouses
The Pro models are rumoured to be the most technically ambitious: a new 3nm A19 Pro chip, more RAM, improved cooling and substantially upgraded cameras. Early leaks even suggest the arrival of reverse wireless charging, a first for iPhones.
- 3nm A19 Pro chip with improved AI and graphics
- 12GB RAM plus vapour-chamber cooling for sustained performance
- Telephoto camera upgraded to 48MP with up to ~8x zoom (rumoured)
- All three rear cameras rumoured to be 48MP
- Reported change from titanium to aluminium frame
- Reverse wireless charging support
- Faster 35W wired charging and improved wireless charging
The Pro is expected to measure around 6.3 inches, while the Pro Max is rumoured to be about 6.9 inches, offering the longer battery life and larger screen that many buyers favour.
Which iPhone 17 should you buy? (based on rumours)
Below are recommendations based on the leaks circulating now. Remember: these suggestions assume the rumoured specs are accurate and could change at launch.
- Buy the iPhone 17 if you want a balanced handset with improved display and selfie performance, plus quicker charging — without paying Pro prices.
- Buy the iPhone 17 Air only if design and extreme slimness are your top priorities. It’s likely to be very attractive, but battery life and the pared-back rear camera may be limiting for heavy users.
- Buy the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max if you want the best Apple has to offer: the fastest chip, the most RAM and the top camera system. Choose the Pro Max if you prefer the largest screen and longest battery life.
Our provisional pick: the iPhone 17 Pro looks, on paper, like the sweet spot — it should deliver flagship performance and cameras without the extra bulk (and likely higher price) of the Pro Max. That said, treat the recommendation as informed speculation until Apple confirms the hardware.
