While we typically wait until phones are actually released to compare them, Apple's next iPhone models are so highly anticipated that we'll make an exception. We're basing our comparisons on the most credible rumors of what's coming in the iPhone 17 series, including a potential super-thin iPhone 17 Air, to give readers an early sense of how the new series of phones may look.
Last year's iPhone 16 series added a handful of upgrades over its predecessors, most notably the new Camera Control key. While the basic iPhone 16 and Plus models got a new ultrawide camera and bigger battery, as is typical with Apple's phones, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max got the lion's share of the improvements with upgraded rear cameras, pro video recording modes and thinner bezels.
Last year's iPhone upgrades are a template for what we expect in the iPhone 17 -- here's how we anticipate those comparisons to shake out.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max led the line. James Martin/CNET
iPhone 17 lineup price comparison
Apple will hold its iPhone 17 launch event on Sept. 9, with the tagline "Awe dropping" -- and since its cutesy mantras usually hint at products being released, there's plenty of speculation going around as to its meaning. The iPhone always goes on sale the Friday of the week after it's announced, which should be Friday, Sept. 12, though Apple could always change it.
The iPhone 17 prices are up in the air, mainly due to tariffs. Increased costs of imports mean Apple could raise iPhone price tags, with Jefferies analyst Edison Lee predicting a $50 price hike across the lineup aside from the base iPhone 17 model. If that's the case, then anticipated US starting prices could be as follows:
iPhone 17: $829 -- Rumors suggest the baseline iPhone 17 won't get as aggressive of tariff hikes, but market fluctuations could bump the price up slightly.
-- Rumors suggest the baseline iPhone 17 won't get as aggressive of tariff hikes, but market fluctuations could bump the price up slightly. iPhone 17 Air: $979 -- If the iPhone 17 Air is slotted into the lineup where the iPhone 16 Plus was priced (as the more expensive standard model), and with the rumored tariff hikes, its price could creep to nearly four figures.
-- If the iPhone 17 Air is slotted into the lineup where the iPhone 16 Plus was priced (as the more expensive standard model), and with the rumored tariff hikes, its price could creep to nearly four figures. iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049 -- Rumors suggest the smaller Pro model could get a small price hike to start at $50 above last year's iPhone 16 Pro.
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