What to expect from the iPhone 17: News, rumours and leaks

The tech giant is weeks away from releasing its latest iPhone, with rumours swirling that it will be dropping one phone in favour of an entirely new one.

Rosalyn Fannin

6 min read

August 13, 2025 - 12:28PM

What to expect from the iPhone 17: News, rumours, release date and leaks. Picture: iStock/Fanliso, iStock/@georgeclerk.

We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content, and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more

For Apple lovers, the most wonderful time of year is upon us: the release of the newest iPhone.

An official announcement about the iPhone 17 range by Apple is expected to come in a matter of weeks.

But recently there’s been increased buzz about the upcoming iPhone line-up, with rumours and leaks coming left, right and centre.

If you’re an Apple fanatic dying to know all the details or are in need of a high quality smartphone upgrade (but can wait an extra couple of weeks), we’re here to help.

We’ve gone through all the details and highlighted all the biggest rumoured changes coming to the new iPhone 17 range.

So buckle up and get ready to splurge on your one of the biggest tech releases of 2025.

Shop iPhone deals at Amazon

Shop iPhone deals at The Good Guys

Apple’s new iPhone 17 range

Apple iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is the base model and standard iPhone coming to the 17 range. While nothing is confirmed, we are expecting to see a change in display size, increasing from the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch screen to a 6.3-inch display.

TechRadar has predicted a significantly faster response time thanks to a new chipset and a 24MP front facing camera, though back camera improvements are expected to be minimal.

The iPhone 17 is believed to offer several bright colours to choose from, including the classic black and white, as well as steel grey, blue, green and purple shades.

These iPhone 16 colours are pretty bright, but the iPhone 17 are predicted to go even brighter. Picture: Amazon Australia.

Apple iPhone 17 Air

WIRED has revealed that recent leaks indicate Apple is cutting their Plus models from their iPhone range. In its place, a new, thin phone is expected to be announced. Some reports have called it the iPhone 17 Slim, though most rumours point it to it being called the iPhone 17 Air.

This phone is rumoured to be significantly slimmer than the others, and is likely to be the thinnest iPhone ever made, measuring 5.5mm thick plus a chassis for the cameras.

This is even slimmer than the proclaimed “world’s slimmest smartphone,” the 5.8mm thick Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

It is also expected to be very light, coming in at less than 150g. While the display size predictions have varied between leaks and sources, it is expected to measure around 6.55 to 6.65-inches. The iPhone 17 Air is likely to come in four colours: black, silver, light gold and light blue.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

Like previous Pro models, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is expected to be the most advanced in the range.

Both models are expected to allow for faster Qi2 wireless charging, have an added cooling feature and have an aluminium frame.

The rear camera set-up boasts the biggest changes. Both the Pro and Pro Max are set to have a mechanical aperture for greater control of the depth of field. They’re also believed to have a unique placement on the phone, sitting horizontally across in a rectangular shape rather than in the traditional square. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is predicted to have an 8x optical zoom camera, increasing from 5x optical zoom for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

These models are expected to come in at least five colours, including grey, black, silver, orange and dark blue.

Biggest rumoured changes coming to the iPhone 17 models

Camera set-up

The biggest change in camera that’s predicted across the four models in the 17 range is an increase from a 12MP front facing camera to 24MP.

For the Pro and Pro Max models, users can expect a 48MP triple-lens camera system and a new camera layout. The three rear cameras are set to be placed horizontally across in a rectangular shape rather than in the usual square layout, and is to be look similar to Google Pixel phones.

Specifically on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, leaks suggest an increase from a 5x optical zoom found on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to an 8x optical zoom camera.

iPhone cameras have come a long way over the years, and the iPhone 17 Pro range is set to change the entire layout. Picture: Apple.

Build and design

All four models in the iPhone 17 range are expected to see a slight increase in display size as well as having an anti-reflective and scratch resistant screen.

The iPhone 17 Pro range is believed to see the biggest shift in design. They are likely to be made with an aluminium frame rather than the titanium frame used in the iPhone 16. This would be a major throwback as Apple has not used aluminium in their iPhone frames since the iPhone X in 2017.

The Pro and Pro Max are also predicted to be built with a vapour chamber system to prevent overheating and have a half glass, half aluminium back rather than all glass. This is to help sturdiness while still remaining compatible for MagSafe charging. As a result, the Apple logo is expected to be lowered to cater for this.

Software and processors

While already a staple on the iPhone 16 range, Apple Intelligence is set to get even more advanced on the iPhone 17. Picture: Apple.

Recent Apple releases have been developed to continue enhancing Apple Intelligence, and the iPhone 17 is set to do the same thing. The iOS 26 software upgrade is set to support Apple Intelligence capabilities as well as more AI features to come.

Each of the four phones are believed to have a 120Hz ‘ProMotion’ refresh rate, which was previously limited to the Pro range. They’re all also predicted to be built with a faster and more efficient A19 processor, with a standard chip for the base model and Air, and a Pro chip for Pro range.

The iPhone 17 Air should see the biggest development in speed and processing as it is one of the first Apple devices to be built with the Apple designed M5 modem chip. The Air, Pro and Pro Max are also set to have 12GB of RAM, increasing from 8GB in the previous models. The original iPhone 17 model is expected to still have 8GB.

When will the iPhone 17 range be officially announced?

Previous iPhone models have been announced at annual keynote Apple events, with last year’s announcement of the iPhone 16 range held in early September. The same is expected for the iPhone 17 range.

At the time of publication, there has been no set date for the announcement. However, multiple reports have pinpointed the first or second week of September, with many looking at Tuesday, September 9 as the date.

How much will the iPhone 17 cost in Australia?

As the iPhone 17 is yet to be announced, we do not have a set cost, however price increases are expected.

According to Forbes US, the starting price for each model will increase approximately US$50 per model, which will likely translate to a price hike of around $100 for Australian models.

With this in mind, here are the expected prices compared to the iPhone 16 range.

iPhone 16: $1399 – iPhone 17: Expected to be $1499
iPhone 16 Plus: $1599 – iPhone 17 Air: Expected to be $1699
iPhone 16 Pro: $1799 – iPhone 17 Pro: Expected to be $1899
iPhone 16 Pro Max: $2149 – iPhone 17 Pro Max: Expected to be $2249

What is the iPhone 17 release date?

At the time of publication, we still don’t know the release date, but based on previous iPhone events and releases, the iPhone 17 range should be made available for pre-order on the first Friday after the announcement, and available for purchase one week following pre-order.

Are there any new Apple devices being released?

iPhones aren’t the only Apple devices that are expected to be announced and released in the coming weeks.

Rumours suggest that there may two new Apple Watches and a new pair of AirPods also being announced.

One Apple Watch is expected to be a top-tier, high tech and health focused watch coming in at quite a high price point. The other is rumoured to be a new entry level Apple Watch. The new AirPods that are thought to be announced are the AirPods Pro 3.

The in-depth specs and new features for these products are yet to come.

Current Apple deals

Looking to upgrade your iPhone, iPad or AirPods now? You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve found all the best Apple deals on offer right now:

Amazon Australia

The Good Guys

More Coverage

Sleep gadget that makes ‘world of difference’

Rosalyn Fannin, Lauren Chaplin

$30 gadget that ‘charges phone super quick’

Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito

More smartphone coverage:

Want more info on all the latest tech releases, as well as huge sales events and first person reviews? Sign up to our free news.com.au checkout newsletter here.

Rosalyn FanninSEO, AI and Generative Search Producer

Rosalyn has been working as a shopping writer and producer since 2022, and joined the team in November 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Communications & Media from The University of Notre Dame in 2020. She is an expert in helping shoppers get the best bang for their buck and make quality investments, covering a wide range of products – from appliances and tech to fashion and beauty. Her previous media experience includes over three years working at Nine Entertainment and writing for 9Product Reviews as well as interning at 2GB and Seven Network. In her downtime, Rosalyn plays The Sims, watches netball and spends time with her nephews, niece and cats.

Read related topics:Amazon