Apple iPhone 17 Lineup Explained: iPhone 17, Air, Pro, and Pro Max — Which New iPhone Is Best for You in 2025?

Apple has unveiled its 2025 iPhone lineup, introducing four new models: the iPhone 17, the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Prices begin at $799 for the iPhone 17 and range up to $1,199 for the Pro Max, each with 256GB of storage, with a $200 premium to upgrade to 512GB. Alongside the new smartphones, Apple also launched the AirPods Pro 3, designed with advanced features—like live translation, fitness tracking, and enhanced ANC—that integrate most seamlessly with the iPhone 17 series.

iPhone 17 Air Debuts as Apple’s Biggest Redesign Since iPhone X

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iPhone Air

All four iPhone 17 models are faster than the iPhone 16 series, with improved front and rear cameras and longer battery life across the board. But the real headline is the brand-new iPhone 17 Air. Sitting in the middle of the lineup with a 6.5-inch display and a $999 price tag, the Air prioritizes thinness and lightness over extra hardware. It borrows some “Pro” DNA, including the powerful new A19 Pro chipset, but trims back on camera features with a single rear lens—meaning no dedicated macro shots or ultra-wide (0.5x) capabilities.

Even so, the iPhone 17 Air represents Apple’s boldest design shift since the iPhone X, signaling a new direction for the lineup.

iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max Deliver Record Speed and Battery Life

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iPhone 17 Pro (and 17 Pro Max) colors

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are once again Apple’s performance flagships, combining the fastest processors with the longest battery life ever in an iPhone. The Pro delivers up to 33 hours of runtime, while the 6.9-inch Pro Max pushes that to 39 hours thanks to the extra room for a larger battery. Aside from size and endurance, the two models are identical—your choice really comes down to whether you want something easier to pocket or the biggest possible screen.

One of the most interesting upgrades across the entire 2025 lineup is a new square imaging sensor that lets you shoot landscape even while holding the phone in portrait mode. It’s not something Apple can easily backport to older devices without cutting resolution, so this one looks exclusive to the iPhone 17 series. All models also gain the ability to record with the front and rear cameras at the same time, opening up new options for vloggers and creators.

Apple also refreshed its color lineup. The Pro and Pro Max get two exclusive finishes—deep blue and cosmic orange—on top of the standard silver. The iPhone 17 comes in lighter shades Apple is calling sage (green), mist blue, and lavender. The new iPhone 17 Air stands apart with its own palette: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.

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iPhone 17
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iPhone Air

So which iPhone should you buy in 2025? With four models across three screen sizes, four storage tiers, and a dozen color choices, the decision is trickier than ever. That’s where our comparison chart below comes in—it’ll help you cut through the noise and pick the right one. Or checkout Apple’s Can’t Decide Guide on YouTube.

Comparison

Model iPhone 17 iPhone Air iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max
MSRP $799 $999 $1,099 $1,199
Display 6.3” 6.5″ 6.3″ 6.9″
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Design Aluminum frame Titanium, thinnest ever (5.6mm) Aluminum unibody Aluminum unibody with larger battery
Thickness 7.95 mm 5.64 mm 8.75 mm 8.75 mm
Chipset A19 A19 Pro A19 Pro A19 Pro
GPU 5-core 5-core 6-core 6-core
Front Camera 18MP Center Stage 18MP Center Stage 18MP Center Stage 18MP Center Stage
Rear Camera(s) 48MP Dual Fusion camera system (Main, Ultra Wide) 48MP Fusion camera system (Main) 48MP Pro Fusion (Main, Ultra Wide, Telephoto) 48MP Pro Fusion (Main, Ultra Wide, Telephoto)
Optical Zoom .5x, 1x, 2x 1x, 2x .5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x .5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x
Macro Photography Yes Yes Yes
Spatial photos Yes Yes Yes
Optical image stabilization 1st gen 1st gen 2nd gen 2nd gen
Cinematic mode Yes Yes Yes
ProRAW / ProRes RAW Yes Yes
Dolby Vision 4K at 60 fps 4K at 60 fps 4K at 120 fps 4K at 120 fps
Battery Life 30 hours 27 hours 33 hours 39 hours
USB-C USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0
LiDAR Scanner Yes Yes
Vapor Cooling Yes Yes
Durability (front) Ceramic Shield 2 Ceramic Shield 2 Ceramic Shield 2 Ceramic Shield 2
Durability (back) Ceramic Shield Ceramic Shield Ceramic Shield
Rated IP68 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bluetooth 6 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wi-Fi 7 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Weight 6.24 ounces (177 grams) 5.82 ounces (165 grams)  7.27 ounces (206 grams)  8.22 ounces (233 grams) 
Main Colors Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, Silver Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, Silver

The Bottom Line

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup is all about refinement and one bold new move. Every model gets faster performance, longer battery life, and upgraded cameras, but the differences come down to priorities. The iPhone 17 keeps things simple and affordable, while the new iPhone 17 Air makes thinness and design the story—though at the cost of camera flexibility.

The Pro and Pro Max remain the power players with the best displays, battery life, and performance. Add in a new square imaging sensor that changes how you shoot video, dual-camera recording, and a fresh set of colors, and this year’s lineup feels like the biggest shake-up since the iPhone X.

Price & Availability

All new 2025 iPhones can be pre-ordered beginning at 5am PDT on Friday, September 12th with availability beginning Friday, September 19, 2025 in more than 63 countries, followed by another 22 countries a week later.

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