Apple’s iPhone 17 family: big upgrades from Air to Pro Max

WEB DESK: Apple is gearing up for its biggest iPhone launch in years, as the iPhone 17 range edges closer to its official reveal. Expected to replace the current iPhone 16 family, the new lineup will include four models: the standard iPhone 17, the Pro, the Pro Max, and a brand-new ultra-thin edition that has been unofficially dubbed the “iPhone 17 Air”.

This marks a fresh attempt by Apple to shake up its strategy after the underwhelming reception of the Plus and mini models in past years. The Air is designed to bring something different to the table, and if rumours are to be believed, it may well become the talking point of the event.

Big changes for the standard iPhone 17

The base iPhone 17 is expected to see one of its most notable upgrades in years: the adoption of a 120Hz display. Until now, this smoother panel technology has been exclusive to Pro models since 2021. Bringing it to the base edition will make everyday scrolling feel more fluid and open the door for up to 120 frames per second in supported apps.

The display will also grow to 6.27 inches, matching the size of the iPhone 16 Pro, which suggests Apple has managed to slim down the bezels to create more screen real estate. While titanium frames remain exclusive to the Pro line, the standard model will reportedly feature subtle design tweaks. Renders suggest a new glass area around the MagSafe charger and Apple logo, while the rest of the body keeps its aluminium build for strength.

Perhaps more exciting for casual users is the rumoured leap in selfie quality. For the first time since the iPhone 11, the front-facing camera will get a major upgrade, moving from 12 megapixels to 24. That should deliver sharper, more detailed shots, especially with the six-element lens setup Apple is said to be using.

Charging will also get a boost. Apple is tipped to increase wired charging speeds to 35W, up from the current 20W, while regulatory filings suggest the new Qi 2.2 wireless standard could push wireless speeds as high as 50W.

There’s a catch, though: the standard iPhone 17 might be the only model that sticks with last year’s A18 processor rather than moving to the new A19 chip. That could leave it lagging slightly behind the rest of the lineup in terms of raw performance.

The bold new iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air is Apple’s most daring move this year. At just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, it will reportedly be the slimmest iPhone yet. Despite its size, it’s expected to house a 6.6-inch display, giving it more screen space than the base iPhone 17.

The trade-offs are more noticeable here. The Air is tipped to include a smaller 2,900mAh battery, which some reports suggest may struggle to last a full day. To compensate, Apple is said to be preparing a new smart battery case, designed specifically for the Air.

It won’t match the Pro models for photography either. Rumours point to a single 48MP rear camera lens, leaving out both the ultrawide and telephoto sensors. Still, the Air should carry the same 24MP front camera and 35W fast charging as its siblings.

On the inside, it’s expected to adopt the A19 chip, albeit with slightly reduced graphics power compared to the Pro versions.

Pro and Pro Max get a serious performance lift

As always, the Pro models are set to showcase the very best Apple can offer. Both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to run on the new 3nm A19 Pro chip, paired with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the current generation. This combination should help power Apple’s growing focus on artificial intelligence and demanding applications.

To keep performance stable under heavy loads, Apple is tipped to add vapor chamber cooling for the first time. Another practical change is the expected switch from titanium back to aluminium frames, likely to improve durability.

Photography remains a highlight, with the telephoto lens reportedly upgraded from 12MP to 48MP. This could allow up to 8x zoom, giving users far more flexibility when capturing shots. The Pro models will also share the upgraded selfie camera, faster charging, and may finally introduce reverse wireless charging, letting users top up accessories like AirPods directly from their iPhone.

The only difference between the Pro and Pro Max this time around may simply be size and price. The Pro will feature a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max stretches out to 6.9 inches.

What to expect at launch

Apple is clearly betting big on the iPhone 17 family to reignite consumer excitement. The Pro models bring the power, the standard iPhone 17 closes the gap with long-awaited upgrades, and the Air tries to carve a new niche with its ultra-thin profile.

Whether Apple’s bold choices will pay off remains to be seen, but with the official launch just around the corner, the iPhone 17 lineup is already shaping up to be one of the company’s most ambitious in years.

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