Every autumn, Apple unveils updates to its lineup of smartphones, but the company frequently struggles to maintain secrecy surrounding the details. As the official launch of the iPhone 17 approaches, numerous hints have surfaced about what can be expected. Here’s a summary of what is known and anticipated so far.

When will the iPhone 17 series be announced?

Historically, Apple introduces its flagship smartphones in September. Although the exact dates have not been confirmed, past trends suggest that the iPhone 17 models will likely be unveiled sometime in September, with Apple typically providing only a week or two of notice between sending out invitations and hosting the event.

What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?

Design leaks indicate that Apple is developing an ultra-thin smartphone, potentially named the iPhone 17 Air, mirroring Apple’s ultralight laptop designation. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, a reliable source for Apple-related intel, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a basic A19 chip and a single camera lens. It may also utilize Apple’s new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. Further details about this development may emerge before September, but this is the current state of knowledge.

Each new generation includes a base model, but Apple often mixes up the variety of phones it offers. It is likely that there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the “size matters” philosophy, offering an iPhone Pro Max option with a larger screen and improved battery life; the 17 series will probably include one as well.

The iPhone 17 Air appears to be positioned to replace a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Given that the iPhone 16e was introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point, it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to the lower end of the spectrum, which was previously occupied by models like the SE.

What will iOS 19 be like?

Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech released a video in January suggesting that a redesigned Camera app may indicate more drastic changes to the operating system in the upcoming iPhone line. Earlier in March, Bloomberg also reported that an iOS overhaul is in the works. Since there hasn’t been a significant overhaul of iOS in several generations, it could be exciting to see Apple pushing the boundaries of software again.

Although there are no formal leaks about this, it seems almost certain that Apple will continue to develop its Apple Intelligence suite. We are still waiting for some promised updates to Siri that utilize AI tools, so ideally, these will be fully integrated by the time the 17 series arrives.

Apple typically shares more details about its upcoming software plans during its Worldwide Developers Conference. WWDC 2025 will likely take place in early June, so expect to hear more about the operating system this summer.