Apple iPhone 17 brings a brighter 6.3-inch screen, faster A19 performance, and a reimagined front camera that reframes selfies and video.
Pre-orders start September 12, with availability on September 19.
Design and first impressions
Contoured edges and thinner borders make the iPhone 17 feel refreshed, while Ceramic Shield 2 on the front improves scratch resistance up to three times versus the prior generation. Five finishes: black, white, lavender, mist blue, and sage.
Apple says the 6.3-inch display lets you “see and do more,” and the materials boost durability without sacrificing style. The look is familiar yet refined, built for everyday bumps and bright outdoors
Display: brighter, smoother, clearer
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display pushes up to 3000 nits peak brightness and supports ProMotion up to 120Hz. Reflections are reduced by 33% for improved readability in harsh light.
That adaptive refresh rate helps scrolling feel fluid and gaming more responsive, pairing with the larger canvas for videos, photos, and apps. It’s a noticeable quality-of-life upgrade over older models.
Front camera, rethought for selfies and calls
A new Center Stage front camera tops out at 18MP photos and uses a square front-camera design to widen the field of view. Shoot portrait or landscape while holding the phone vertically.
Video gets 4K HDR with powerful stabilization, and Dual Capture records from front and rear at once. Center Stage in calls keeps you framed during FaceTime and third-party chats.
Rear cameras sharpen detail and versatility
Both rear cameras are 48MP, a Fusion Main with 2x optical-quality telephoto and a new Fusion Ultra Wide delivering up to 4x the detail over the previous generation. Rear photos default to 24MP.
Apple Intelligence features add practical tools, including Clean Up to remove distractions in photos, while low-light improvements, Macro, and 4K60 Dolby Vision video round out the kit.
Performance and battery
The A19 chip drives Apple Intelligence features, powers advanced games, and keeps ProMotion smooth. It’s designed for both speed and efficiency so everything feels immediate.
Battery life is rated for all-day use. A quick 10-minute charge can deliver up to eight hours of video playback; hit around 50% in about 20 minutes with a 40W adapter.
Apple Intelligence, built in
Live Translation helps across languages, while creative tools handle image generation and polished writing. These features aim to be helpful throughout everyday tasks on the device.
Visual intelligence can understand what’s on your screen and act, with iOS 26 exposing more privacy-minded smarts for developers and users alike.
iOS 26 experience
Liquid Glass gives apps a fresher look that responds to your content in real time. The Lock Screen keeps subjects in view and adds a subtle 3D effect as you move the phone.
New utilities include Call Screening, Hold Assist to wait on lines, and Polls in Messages for quick group decisions. Small touches; big conveniences.
Connectivity and controls
The phone includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G, and eSIM for fast, flexible connections, plus satellite messaging for emergencies in supported regions.
Action button and the new Camera Control provide quick access to tools, while Dynamic Island surfaces live activities and alerts.
Durability and everyday clarity
Ceramic Shield 2 fronts the device and is billed as tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic, with markedly higher scratch resistance than last year.
Reduced screen reflections further improve outdoor visibility. Combined with the reshaped edges, the phone feels both sturdy and comfortable in hand.
Storage and colors
Entry storage doubles to 256GB, with a 512GB option for creators and heavy downloaders. That change alone will please long-term owners.
Color choices span black, white, lavender, mist blue, and sage, each paired with the same durable front glass and refined finish.
Availability and price
Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12 at 5:00 a.m. PT, and the phone goes on sale Friday, September 19. Mark your calendar if you’re upgrading.
In the U.S., pricing starts at $829 for 256GB and $1,029 for 512GB, with carrier trade-in offers available through Apple’s store.
iPhone 17 Key Specifications
| Category | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR; up to 3000 nits peak; ProMotion up to 120Hz; 33% fewer reflections |
| Chip | A19 with updated display engine, ISP, and Neural Engine; designed for speed and efficiency |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion Main with 2x optical-quality telephoto; 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide; rear photos default to 24MP. 4K60 Dolby Vision video |
| Front camera | Center Stage front camera up to 18MP; 4K HDR video; Dual Capture; strong stabilization; keeps you framed on calls |
| Battery and charging | All-day battery; ~8 hours video playback from a 10-minute quick charge; ~50% in 20 minutes with 40W adapter |
| Storage options | 256GB (start), 512GB |
| Connectivity | 5G; Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 6; eSIM; satellite messaging in supported regions |
| Build and durability | Ceramic Shield 2 front; tougher front cover with 3x better scratch resistance; contoured edges |
| Controls and interface | Action button; Camera Control; Dynamic Island |
| Software | iOS 26 with Liquid Glass, Call Screening, Hold Assist, Polls in Messages; Apple Intelligence including Live Translation and visual intelligence |
| Colors | Black, white, lavender, mist blue, sage |
| Availability and price (US) | Pre-order Sept 12, 2025; available Sept 19, 2025; from $829 (256GB) or $1,029 (512GB) |
