The hours are ticking down ahead of Apple's iPhone 17 event today (September 9), with Apple executives set to take the stage at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST. And that means every iPhone 17 detail that's been the subject of a rumor is about ready to come to pass or be debunked.
I've been tracking iPhone 17 rumors for the better part of 2025, and I've seen claims about the new phones come and go. But even if you're not up to date on all the latest rumblings about Apple's new devices, it's not too late to get up to speed on every rumored device, from the standard iPhone to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. And yes, you should probably get the 411 on the iPhone 17 Air, a new version of the iPhone that's likely to debut today.
But if you don't have time to study every last rumored detail about the different iPhone 17 models, don't worry. Consider this a cheat sheet that sums up the biggest rumors about each iPhone likely to arrive today. Whether you want to impress your friends by casually dropping predictions about Apple's iPhone moves just before they happen or you want to get a head start on figuring out whether to upgrade to one of the new phones, here's what you need to know headed into the iPhone 17 launch event.
iPhone 17
What's it going to cost: $799 to $849
How big is the screen: 6.3 inches
What's the biggest rumored change: You might have noticed the iPhone 17's screen is tipped to be slightly bigger than 6.1-inch panel on the iPhone 16, but that's not the biggest change likely to come to Apple's entry-level iPhone flagship. Instead, it's widely expected that Apple will boost the refresh rate of the iPhone 17 display, so that it offers smoother scrolling and more immersive graphics. It's been a long-requested feature for Apple's base model.
Other changes: The iPhone 17 could feature a new A19 chipset (though one rumor claims it will still use the iPhone 16's A18 silicon), and the battery is likely to be larger. The front camera on the iPhone could now use a 24MP sensor instead of the 12MP one that's been in place for years.
What's not changing: We haven't heard about any changes coming to the rear cameras on the iPhone 17, so any improvements will have to come from upgraded algorithms and photo-processing features.
iPhone 17 Pro
What's it going to cost: $999 to $1,199
How big is the screen: 6.3 inches
What's the biggest rumored change: We'll go with the rumor that the telephoto lens on both of Apple's Pro models is going to feature a 48MP sensor, meaning all three rear cameras will offer 48MP resolution. That could impact the optical zoom support — some say it will be 3.5x on the iPhone 17 Pro, while others tout an 8x zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro supports a 5x zoom, for what it's worth.
Apple could also add a reverse charging feature to the Pro models, but we'll tackle that when we address iPhone 17 Pro Max rumors.
Other changes: The same upgraded front camera for the iPhone 17 will make its way to the Pro models, too. We're looking for an A19 Pro chipset to power this phone, which will also get a bigger battery. The titanium frame of the current model could give way to aluminum, and we'll likely see vapor chamber cooling.
What's not changing: After bumping up the screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro, it doesn't sound as if many display changes are planned for the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
What's it going to cost: $1,199 to $1,299
How big is the screen: 6.9 inches
What's the biggest rumored change: Like the iPhone 17 Pro, the Pro Max is tipped to get a 48MP telephoto lens. But let's focus on reverse charging, too, since that feature's never appeared on an iPhone before. Like many Android devices, the new Pro iPhones should be able to provide a charge to other devices that support wireless charging — helpful for topping off the battery of your AirPods, Apple Watch or perhaps even another iPhone.
Other changes: If it's happening to the iPhone 17 Pro, it will happen to the Pro Max, too — a bigger battery, an A19 Pro chip, and a 24MP front camera are all in the cards.
What's not changing: The 6.9-inch screen from the iPhone 16 Pro Max should return.
iPhone 17 Air
What's it going to cost: $899 to $1,099
How big is the screen: 6.6 inches
What's the biggest rumored change: Well, everything about the iPhone 17 Air is new, considering it's a new addition to the iPhone lineup. Replacing the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 17 Air adds a large screen, but a slimmer design, with most of the focus on providing Apple customers with a thin, lightweight option. We're talking 5.5mm thick, which would be the thinnest iPhone ever.
Other changes: Again, it's all new, but a lone 48MP rear camera and a slender battery top the list of distinguishing features for the iPhone 17 Air once you get past the thin design.
What's not changing: The other iPhones are set to get an A19 chipset, and the iPhone 17 Air is likely to as well. And it sounds as if the screen size will be about the same as the iPhone 16 Plus, give or take a faction of an inch.
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More from Tom's Guide
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs 17 Pro Max rumored specs: Here's what you need to know
- iPhone 17 Pro's long-awaited charging upgrade could be a huge embarrassment for Google Pixel 10
- I shot over 1,000 photos with the iPhone 16 Pro Max — and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has its work cut out for itself
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