Apple’s New Phones: All the Details You Need to Know

In just under two months, assuming Apple adheres to its typical launch timeline, we will finally get our first look at the highly anticipated iPhone 17 series. We previously caught a glimpse of upcoming features during the iOS 26 presentation at the June WWDC event, but details about the design and specifications of the new smartphones remain largely unknown. However, there have been numerous leaks and speculations regarding the hardware and features ahead of the official release. Here’s an in-depth look at what we expect and can reasonably anticipate from Cupertino in September.

Explore the Latest Leaks and Rumors Surrounding the iPhone 17

It’s essential to recognize that not every rumor about the iPhone holds equal weight, and many should be approached with skepticism. As we transition from July to August, we’ve seen “leaked” color options and even reports of a purported iPhone 17 sighting. Let’s delve into the details below.

The images showcased on MacRumors reveal a black-cased iPhone (presumably the iPhone 17) featuring an elongated top rear “camera island,” a design element rumored to be included in the upcoming Pro iPhones. Could this be authentic? The dual-angle shots provide a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly marred by AI-generated fakes, but the true nature of these leaks remains uncertain.

Moreover, another rumor suggests that a reliable source contacted MacRumors to reveal three exciting new features for the iPhone Pro camera: an enhanced telephoto lens boasting up to 8x optical zoom (an upgrade from the current 5x); a brand-new professional camera application from Apple designed for capturing stunning photos and videos; and an extra Camera Control button located on the top edge of the device. The last feature seems particularly far-fetched, as it would represent the addition of a third new button to the iPhones in as many years. Do we genuinely need two dedicated camera buttons alongside the Action Button?

On July 30, Tom’s Guide highlighted a post from Sonny Dickson—a well-known and generally trustworthy leaker of unreleased iPhone information—showcasing “dummy” models of the iPhone 17 in the new colors he had previously leaked. While these are merely mock-ups and not real leaked devices, it’s fascinating to observe how the design and color rumors translate into a tangible appearance. Of course, we won’t know the authenticity of these colors until the official iPhone event this fall.

Anticipating the Announcement Date for the iPhone 17 Series

Typically, Apple unveils its flagship smartphones in September. While it’s premature to pinpoint specific dates—since in some years, Apple provides merely a week or two of notice between sending out invites and hosting the launch event—historical patterns suggest that the iPhone 17 models will debut sometime in September. However, it’s worth noting that this may be the last generation to adhere to that timeline. There have been indications that the unveiling of the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 could be staggered, with a pro-tier announcement in the fall followed by a launch of the standard model in the spring.

Discover What’s Included in the Exciting New iPhone 17 Lineup

Recent design leaks suggest that Apple is crafting an ultra-slim mobile device, likely to be designated the iPhone 17 Air, mirroring Apple’s ultralight laptop branding. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, known for his reliable insights into Apple’s plans, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a basic A19 chip and will be equipped with a single camera lens. Additionally, it may incorporate Apple’s new in-house modem, which debuted in February with the iPhone 16e. More information may surface as we approach September, but this is what we know at this moment.

An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu suggested that the iPhone 17 Air will sport a titanium frame. If these claims are accurate, this lightweight smartphone will uniquely feature that metal, while the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are anticipated to be constructed from aluminum, which is curiously lighter than titanium. There’s also speculation that the Air might utilize a combination of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials used may not be confirmed until the official announcement.

With every new release, Apple typically includes a base model, but over the years, the variety of smartphones has evolved. It is highly probable that we will see an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has consistently embraced a larger-size model philosophy, and thus, it’s almost certain that the new roster will include an iPhone Pro Max, offering an even larger display and enhanced battery life.

The iPhone 17 Air seems poised to fill the role of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Given that the iPhone 16e was only unveiled in February at a surprisingly high price point, it appears unlikely that a new model will be introduced in that lower-end category, previously referred to as SE models.

At the very least, it appears that the iPhone 17 Air will maintain a charging port, rather than relying solely on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg noted that although Apple considered producing a portless iPhone 17 Air, the company ultimately decided against it. Furthermore, it’s reported that the anticipated device will feature a 6.6-inch display, alongside the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Pricing is speculated to start at around $900—likely higher than the standard iPhone 17 but lower than the Pro models.

Recent reports have provided insight into the expected color palette for the new smartphones. Macworld shared that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple, and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to come in four color options: black, white, light blue, and light gold. While the colors for the Air will be more subdued, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to feature bolder, more vibrant options, including black, white, gray, dark blue, and orange.

Get Ready for the Innovative Features of iOS 26

With the WWDC 2025 event, Apple revamped its versioning system, aligning the name of each new operating system with the year of its release. As such, when the next generation of iPhones launches, they will operate on iOS 26.

On the design front, the smartphone operating system introduced during this major developer showcase adopted a contentious approach known as Liquid Glass. While Apple has been scaling back the level of transparency effects in subsequent beta versions of iOS 26, it will still retain a glass-like aesthetic.

The feature set encompasses both major and minor updates. Among the more significant changes, the Phone and Photos applications have undergone redesigns. Several features are leveraging artificial intelligence, including live translation capabilities for Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. Apple is also testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts, which will pause FaceTime video if nudity is detected through on-device machine learning technology. Furthermore, the company is launching Visual Intelligence, designed to utilize AI for search capabilities within images.

iOS 26 also introduces numerous minor enhancements focused on user experience. Group texts will now support polls, and for those who struggle with early mornings, iOS 26 will finally allow users to escape the confines of the nine-minute snooze alarm.

The upcoming iOS is currently available as a public beta. Here are our initial impressions regarding the Liquid Glass design and various new features. iOS 26 will be compatible with all models starting from the iPhone 11.

Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15 AM ET: Added new imagery showcasing potential iPhone 17 colors.

Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08 AM ET: Updated with the latest leaks and rumors surrounding the iPhone 17, along with new information regarding the iOS 26 public beta.

Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40 PM ET: Included the latest insights about iOS 26, potential materials for the Air model, and color options for the various models.

Update, March 17, 2025, 2 PM ET: Provided details regarding the rumored pricing and features of the iPhone 17 Air.

Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45 PM ET: Included information from Front Page Tech’s new video claiming to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build.

Katie Teague contributed to this story.