iPhone 17 new features and what’s changed

Apple introduced the iPhone 17 family on September 9, 2025, headlined by the redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max and joined by the new iPhone Air and the standard iPhone 17. The Pro models bring a new thermally efficient aluminum unibody, a triple‑48MP camera system with the longest iPhone zoom to date, and Apple’s A19 Pro silicon.

What’s new at a glance

• New chassis for Pro: heat‑forged aluminum unibody with a built‑in vapor chamber for higher sustained performance and a larger battery.
• Displays and durability (Pro): Super Retina XDR at 6.3" or 6.9" with ProMotion up to 120 Hz, Always‑On, up to 3000 nits outdoor peak brightness, and Ceramic Shield 2 on the front (3x better scratch resistance) plus Ceramic Shield on the back (4x better crack resistance vs previous back glass).
• Performance: A19 Pro with a 6‑core CPU and 6‑core GPU featuring per‑core Neural Accelerators, paired with a new 16‑core Neural Engine. Apple cites up to 40% better sustained performance than the prior generation.
• Wireless: the lineup introduces the N1 chip enabling Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, improving throughput and reliability for features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
• Camera (Pro): three 48MP Fusion rear cameras (Main, Ultra Wide, Telephoto) spanning eight effective focal lengths, 4x optical at 100 mm and 8x optical‑quality at 200 mm, plus an updated Photonic Engine and up to 40x digital zoom.
• Front camera (all models): new Center Stage system with a square sensor (up to 18MP on Pro) that can dynamically widen and rotate the field of view for group selfies, ultra‑stabilized 4K HDR video, and Dual Capture (front+rear simultaneous recording).
• Pro video (Pro): first smartphones to support ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock for frame‑accurate multi‑camera sync; 4K120 Dolby Vision is available.
• Power and battery (Pro): faster charging to 50% in about 20 minutes with a high‑wattage USB‑C adapter; Pro Max delivers Apple’s longest iPhone battery life to date.
• eSIM: eSIM‑only variants in select regions increase internal space for a larger battery (up to two additional hours of video playback); setup is streamlined in iOS 26 (support).
• Software: iOS 26 introduces a new “Liquid Glass” design and Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation and visual intelligence; language and feature availability are listed in Apple’s support page.

Design and thermals (Pro)

The Pro models switch to a forged aluminum unibody that works as part of the thermal path. An Apple‑designed vapor chamber—laser‑welded into the chassis and using sealed deionized water—moves heat away from the A19 Pro so the phone can sustain higher performance while keeping external surfaces comfortable. The unibody also frees up space for a larger battery. Apple quotes 50% charge in about 20 minutes when using a high‑wattage USB‑C power adapter.

Displays and durability (Pro)

• 6.3‑inch (17 Pro) and 6.9‑inch (17 Pro Max) Super Retina XDR with ProMotion up to 120 Hz and Always‑On.
• Peak outdoor brightness up to 3000 nits with improved anti‑reflection.
• Ceramic Shield 2 front cover with 3x better scratch resistance; Ceramic Shield now also protects the back, with 4x better crack resistance than previous back glass.

Silicon and wireless

A19 Pro couples a 6‑core CPU with a 6‑core GPU that integrates Neural Accelerators into each GPU core, alongside a larger cache and more memory than A18 Pro. A new 16‑core Neural Engine handles on‑device models and real‑time tasks like Live Translation. Across the iPhone 17 lineup, the N1 wireless chip brings Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, and improves reliability for features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.

Cameras

The Pro system uses three 48MP Fusion cameras—Main, Ultra Wide, and a Telephoto with a next‑gen tetraprism design and a sensor 56% larger than before. Optical options include 4x (100 mm) and an 8x optical‑quality 200 mm view, covering eight effective focal lengths from 13 mm ultra‑wide to 200 mm tele. The updated Photonic Engine applies more machine learning in the pipeline to preserve fine detail, reduce noise, and improve color fidelity, especially in low light. A Bright Photographic Style is available in iOS 26.

The new Center Stage front camera uses a larger square sensor. On Pro, it captures up to 18MP photos, can automatically widen or rotate for group shots while holding the phone vertically, and enables ultra‑stabilized 4K HDR video. Dual Capture records front and rear video simultaneously, and Center Stage keeps you framed during video calls.

Video workflow (Pro)

• ProRes RAW for maximum latitude in post.
• Apple Log 2 and support for ACES workflows.
• Genlock for precise multi‑camera synchronization via supported accessories.
• 4K at up to 120 fps in Dolby Vision.

Battery and charging

• iPhone 17 Pro: up to 33 hours of video playback.
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours of video playback (best battery life in an iPhone, aided by the new internal layout and A19 Pro efficiency).
• Fast charging to 50% in about 20 minutes with a high‑wattage USB‑C adapter; Apple offers a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter and Qi2‑certified MagSafe chargers.

Note: Battery life varies by configuration, usage, and network. Regional variants with eSIM‑only hardware reclaim SIM tray space for additional battery capacity.

Software and Apple Intelligence

iOS 26 brings a refreshed interface (“Liquid Glass”) and system‑wide tools under Apple Intelligence: on‑device Live Translation for text and audio, visual intelligence that lets you act on the content of your screen via a screenshot capture, Writing Tools for proofreading and rewriting, and creation features like Genmoji. Some capabilities can run offline using on‑device models. Feature and language availability is listed in Apple’s availability and system requirements.

Connectivity and eSIM

With N1, the iPhone 17 family supports Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. eSIM remains central to setup and travel flexibility; managing plans and transferring numbers can be done in Settings. In select markets (including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Gulf states), Pro models are offered as eSIM‑only devices, which frees space for a larger battery.

Accessories and materials

• Cases: TechWoven fabric case, Clear Case with MagSafe, and Silicone Case, plus a recycled‑yarn Crossbody Strap designed to magnetically align with case attachment points.
• Materials: devices are made with 30% recycled content by weight, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 100% recycled gold plating in Apple‑designed PCBs; 40% renewable electricity is used across manufacturing.

Colors, storage, pricing, and availability

• Pro finishes: deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver.
• Storage: iPhone 17 Pro at 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB; iPhone 17 Pro Max at 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and a new 2 TB option.
• Pricing (U.S.): iPhone 17 Pro from $1,099; iPhone 17 Pro Max from $1,199. Pre‑orders start September 12 at 5 a.m. PT, with availability beginning September 19.

Model comparison (at a glance)

What matters: The Pro models push sustained performance and battery longevity through a chassis‑level thermal redesign, while the entire lineup benefits from Apple’s latest silicon, expanded wireless standards, and a more capable front camera. Creators get new Pro video formats and tools; travelers and IT teams get simpler connectivity through eSIM and Wi‑Fi 7. If you rely on long runtime, heavy workloads, or advanced imaging, the 17 Pro/Pro Max are the most notable step‑up in this cycle; if you prefer a lighter device, iPhone Air brings A19 Pro performance in a slimmer build.