Normally, we wait until phones are released to compare them, but Apple's next iPhone models are so eagerly awaited 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 superthin 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 on 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 price and release date
Apple traditionally holds its iPhone announcements the first Tuesday in September after Labor Day. This year, that would be the first Tuesday of the month (Sept. 2), so we'd expect the reveal event on the next day, Sept. 3, or the following Tuesday, Sept. 9. A number of rumors point to Sept. 9 being the day Apple holds its fall event.
The iPhone always goes on sale the Friday of the week after it's announced. Depending on which day it's announced, that could mean the iPhone 17 release date would be either Friday, Sept. 12 or 19.
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. If that's the case, then anticipated US starting prices could be as follows:
iPhone 17: $829
iPhone 17 Air: $979
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