Apple has unveiled four new iPhones. The model features the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. All the four models will be preordered on Friday and will be shipped on September 19. This guide breaks down the main differences so you can pick the best model for your needs.
Model by model
The iPhone 17 is the simplest and most affordable option. It has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display and the A19 chip. The rear camera has a 48-megapixel primary Fusion sensor and 48 megapixel ultrawide. Battery capacity is at approximately 3,692 mAh. The phone is light and balanced for everyday use. It starts at $799.
The iPhone 17 Air is thinner and lighter than the base model. It has a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display and uses the A19 Pro chip for faster performance. The Air keeps a two lens camera system with a 48-megapixel main Fusion sensor. Battery capacity is smaller at about 3,149 mAh because the case is very thin. It starts at 999 dollars and aims at users who want a slim premium phone.
The iPhone 17 Pro is a step up for power users. It has the A19 Pro chip, 12 gigabytes of RAM, and a 6.3 inch display with USB 3 wired support. The rear camera system uses three 48-megapixel Fusion sensors and offers optical zoom steps at 0.5x 1x 2x 4x and 8x. Battery capacity is about 4,262 mAh. The Pro model adds advanced video tools aimed at creators.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the largest model. It has a 6.9 inch display and the biggest battery in the family at about 5,088 mAh. It uses the same A19 Pro chip and the same three 48-megapixel Fusion cameras as the Pro. The larger display and bigger battery make this model the best choice for long sessions of video playback gaming or content creation. It also supports faster wired data speeds with USB 3.
Which to choose
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want good performance and the best value. Choose the iPhone 17 Air if you prefer a very thin light phone with strong speed. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro if you are a creator who needs more RAM advanced video features and the full camera set. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the largest screen the longest battery life and the most capable camera hardware.
All models share an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera with dual capture. All models use USB C for charging with the Pro models supporting faster USB 3 speeds. Apple also increased base storage on the Pro models which now start at 256 gigabytes. This comparison should help you match needs to specs. If you plan to edit video on the go or use the phone for heavy work pick a Pro model. For most users the base iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Air will be the right balance of features and price.