Apple is widely expected to unveil four handsets in the iPhone 17 line-up: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max on 9th September 10 AM PT ( 1 PM ET). On paper they look closely related, yet each serves a slightly different type of user. Your choice will come down to budget, size preference, camera ambitions and performance needs.
A quick word on certainty: Until Apple makes it official, the details below remain well-sourced rumours/leaks. Treat prices as indicative US RRPs; UK pricing typically differs and includes VAT.
Which iPhone 17 suits you?
- iPhone 17
The “everyone’s iPhone”: balanced size, flagship performance, modern 120 Hz display, and a proven dual-camera set-up. Ideal if you want the latest core experience without Pro pricing. - iPhone 17 Air
A larger canvas without going Pro. Think roomy 6.6-inch display, the same slick 120 Hz refresh, and generous base storage—great for streaming, reading and casual photography. - iPhone 17 Pro
Built for power users: Pro-grade chipset, variable-refresh display (1–120 Hz), extra memory and a versatile triple-camera array including telephoto. A sweet spot for creators and enthusiasts. - iPhone 17 Pro Max
The full-fat flagship. Biggest screen, biggest battery, and the most capable camera system. If you want the lot—and don’t mind the size—this is it.
Rumoured core specifications and price (at a glance)
Prices shown are rumoured US launch ranges. UK pricing to be confirmed by Apple/retailers.
| Model | Starting price (US) | Screen size | Refresh rate | Processor | Storage options | RAM | Rear cameras | Front camera | Colours (rumoured) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $799 | 6.3″ | 120 Hz | A19 | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | 8 GB | 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide | 24 MP | Black, White, Steel Grey, Green, Purple, Light Blue |
| iPhone 17 Air | $1,099 | 6.6″ | 120 Hz | A19 | 256 GB / 512 GB | 8 GB | 48 MP (dual set-up) | 24 MP | Black, White, Light Gold, Light Blue |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $1,099–$1,199 | 6.3″ | 1–120 Hz | A19 Pro | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 12 GB | 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide, 48 MP telephoto (≈3.5×) | 24 MP | Black, White, Grey, Dark Blue, Orange |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199–$1,299 | 6.9″ | 1–120 Hz | A19 Pro | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 12 GB | 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide, 48 MP telephoto (≈3.5×) | 24 MP | Black, White, Grey, Dark Blue, Orange |
Takeaway for UK users: if these numbers hold, all 17-series phones should enjoy equal or better stamina than their 16-series counterparts, with the Pro Max potentially breaching the 5,000 mAh mark on eSIM—useful for travellers, heavy camera use and all-day 5G.
Buying advice (before UK pre-orders open)
- Prioritise the display if you read, watch or game a lot. The Air and Pro Max deliver the most comfortable viewing.
- Go Pro if you’re serious about photography/video or want the smoothest variable refresh and extra RAM for pro apps.
- Start at 256 GB if you shoot 4K video or keep large offline libraries; it’s the current sweet spot for most users.
- Check trade-in and network perks (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) on launch day—UK deals often swing the value equation more than raw specs.
- Wait for confirmed UK pricing if you’re on the fence; Apple’s sterling RRPs and carrier instalments can reshape what’s “best value”.
The bottom line
Four models, four personalities: iPhone 17 for balanced brilliance, 17 Air for big-screen bliss on a non-Pro budget, 17 Pro for creators and power users, and 17 Pro Max for those who want the absolute summit of battery and camera performance. Keep an eye on UK prices and carrier bundles—the smartest buy is the one that pairs the right handset and the right plan.
When Apple makes everything official, we’ll update this guide with confirmed UK prices, colours and any surprise features.
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