Apple’s best iPhones are getting better

Apple’s best iPhone is about to get even better. With a new design, new colors, and more on the way, here’s what you should be looking forward to from iPhone 17 Pro.

If Apple sticks to its now familiar release cadence, we expect new iPhones to be announced every September. 2025 is unlikely to buck the trend, with an event already set for September 9.

The last year of rumors points to a few big changes this time around, with a bold new design at the top of the pile. This round of iPhones is set to be the best for photographers and gamers yet, so there’s more than a new look to get excited about.

With an iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max set to be joined by the rumored iPhone 17 Air and a new iPhone 17, expectations are high.

Whether you’re upgrading from an iPhone 16-series model, or something a little older, the wait is almost over. Here’s everything we’ve been able to glean from a year of iPhone 17 Pro rumors.

When will the iPhone 17 Pro be announced and ship?

With Apple having already announced its big September 9 event, we can make a calculated guess as to when it will go on sale. If the announcement does happen on September 9, we expect that preorders will begin the following Friday, September 12.

Previously, Apple opened preorders a week before the new iPhones shipped. With that as our guiding star, we expect the iPhone 17 lineup to hit stores on September 19.

iPhone 17 Pro design & display

Just like the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are both set to sport a new look. That’ll include a new, full-width camera bump similar to the Google Pixel lineup, for example.

It’ll also see Apple ditch the titanium construction that made previous Pro iPhones feel so premium. Instead, it’s expected Apple will switch back to using aluminum.

Existing rumors have Apple switching to an aluminum frame. The metal will make its way to the back, too, joining the familiar glass to create a slightly two-tone look.

Rumors also suggest that the new models will sport the same 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max owners have grown accustomed to. Both models will feature 120Hz ProMotion displays, but it’s unclear if a smaller Dynamic Island will make an appearance this time around.

Leakers have also touched upon brightness, a fairly common upgrade to the iPhone. One September leaker post claimed the Pro models will work better in direct sunlight, possibly doing better than the 2,000-nit peak of the iPhone 16 Pro generation

While the new models aren’t expected to be any taller or wider, the iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to be slightly thicker. The move from 8.25mm to 8.75mm is likely to accommodate a larger battery and revamped internals.

In terms of colors, leaks have hinted at a new copper or orange finish joining black, silver, gray, and dark blue options.

iPhone 17 Pro chip, battery, and charging

On the inside, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to undergo something of a rework. Not only is a new chip in store, but rumors claim a new cooling system will be used as well.

Starting with the silicon, both Pro iPhones are expected to jump from 8GB of RAM to 12GB while gaining a new A19 Pro chip. The new chip is set to be based on TSMC’s N3P 3-nm manufacturing process — potentially improving performance and energy efficiency.

While the A19 Pro is unlikely to be a huge upgrade over the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro, it’s still expected to get a new cooling mechanism. Rumors point to a vapor chamber being used to ensure heat is removed from the chip as efficiently as possible.

Keeping the A19 Pro cool will be vital to gaming performance in particular. Thermal throttling can slow chips down as they get warmer, so keeping them cool is hugely beneficial.

Charging the new iPhones will be largely the same as the older models, albeit faster. The new handsets are expected to support MagSafe 2.2 and 25W wireless charging. Wired charging is likely to be around the 30W mark.

Thankfully, buyers might not need to reach for a charger all that often. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to have the biggest battery in the lineup to date at 5,000mAh.

Some reports have hinted at the arrival of reverse wireless charging to allow iPhones to power AirPods and similar accessories. This is a persistent rumor, however, and is far from confirmed at this point.

iPhone 17 Pro camera

A lot of people upgrade their iPhones to get an improved camera, especially towards the premium end of the lineup. To that end, all four 2025 iPhones are expected to get a new 25-megapixel selfie camera.

Around the back, a new 48-megapixel telephoto camera should greatly improve upon the existing 12-megapixel shooter. However, the level of zoom it will offer is up for debate.

Some reports have claimed the new telephoto sensor will be joined by a new 3.5x optical zoom lens. The current models have a 5x zoom, but the change of focal length could improve portrait photography. The extra resolution could also allow digital zoom to compensate for the lack of optical zoom, too.

Moving to the wide camera, users could gain the ability to adjust the aperture. Such a feature would give photographers more control when taking photos.

The new Pro iPhones are expected to gain a new 8K video recording feature, while the ability to record from front and rear cameras simultaneously is also rumored.

It’s unknown whether any of the new features will be limited to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has gone that route. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long, with September 9 just around the corner.

iPhone 17 Pro wireless connectivity

We expect that Apple will continue to use Qualcomm’s modems for the new Pro iPhones. If so, support for fast mmWave 5G will be present.

It’s also likely that Apple will use its in-house Wi-Fi 7 modem with this round of iPhones, as was the case in 2024. Wi-Fi 7 offers support for transmitting data over three bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) simultaneously when using a compatible router.

Finally, Bluetooth 5.3 is also set to be included for reliable connectivity to headphones and Apple Watches, among other things.

iPhone 17 Pro cases

An area that has an unusually high amount of activity this time around is case rumors. Some more believable than others.

Images have been released of cases supposedly replacing the FineWoven range with something called TechWoven. So far, shots have shown fabric-covered cases in a variety of colors.

There has also been a Clear Case leak, which has a transparent bumper but also an opaque or frosted base section, which seems unlikely.

More typical silicone cases have also been dicussed, albeit under the somewhat debatable title of a “Liquid Silicone” case to match the iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” motif.

There’s even been talk about a revival of the backless bumper-only case, bringing back a concept from 2010. While the focus of tthe rumor is the iPhone 17 Air, it woudn’t be out of the realms of expectation for other models to get the same style.

As well as the cases, rumors have also talked about a new Crossbody Strap accessory. However, just like the cases and many other rumors, it has also been called into question due to inconsistencies between leaks.

iPhone 17 Pro pricing

Unfortunately, buying the best iPhones also means spending the most money. The 2025 models are set to be no different, with a price hike also possible.

It’s been suggested that Apple could increase the price of the 2025 iPhones by $50 or more. If so, we expect the iPhone 17 Pro to cost $1,049 for the entry-level model. The iPhone 17 Pro Max could start at $1,249.

Another set of analysts have also forecast that the iPhone 17 Pro line won’t necessarily change price at all, but it may be perceived as doing so in one case.

One September 2 analyst note proposes the 128GB storage level of the iPhone 17 Pro will be skipped so the capacities are in line with the Pro Max model. In effect, the base model of the iPhone 17 Pro with 256GB would be more expensive than the iPhone 16 Pro’s base model, but all other capacities could stay in line with the previous generation.

One potential silver lining is a rumor that the price increase will be sweetened by a doubling of storage. If accurate, the new iPhone 17 Pro models will start at 256GB of storage with a new 2TB model joining the lineup.