iPhone 17 Series: What’s New Compared to Previous iPhones?

Apple’s iPhone 17 series, launching in September 2025, brings a variety of updates and innovations that differentiate it from the previous iPhone 16 series and other earlier models. From design tweaks to significant performance and camera enhancements, the iPhone 17 lineup, including the new iPhone 17 Air and Pro models, aims to offer users a better overall experience.

Design and Display Upgrades

One of the most notable changes in the iPhone 17 series is the slight increase in display size on the base model. The iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch OLED display, which is larger than the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch screen. More importantly, the iPhone 17 finally supports a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate across all its models, bringing smoother scrolling and improved gaming performance compared to the 60Hz panel on the iPhone 16 base model. The slimmer bezels and a new spliced seamless frame give the device a modern and refined look. The iPhone 17 Air introduces an ultra-thin design at just 5.55mm thickness, making it the thinnest iPhone ever, although this comes with compromises in battery and camera specs.12

Camera Enhancements

Apple has significantly upgraded the camera systems in the iPhone 17 series. All models benefit from a new 24MP TrueDepth front-facing camera, doubling the resolution from previous models, which enhances selfie quality and FaceTime calls. The Pro models receive a remarkable boost with a 48MP telephoto lens capable of up to 8x optical zoom, a major improvement over the 12MP sensor in the iPhone 16 Pro. Other upgrades include the introduction of multi-cam recording capabilities exclusive to the Pro line, as well as the possibility of 8K video recording, catering especially to content creators and photography enthusiasts.34

Performance and Battery Improvements

Under the hood, the iPhone 17 is powered by the new A19 chip, which offers incremental improvements over the A18 chip in the iPhone 16. The Pro models get the A19 Pro chip and an increased RAM of 12GB (up from 8GB), which supports demanding tasks and enhanced AI processing. The cooling system has been updated to maintain consistent performance under load. Battery capacity sees modest improvements; for example, the iPhone 17 base model has a slightly larger battery (~3,600 mAh) compared to the iPhone 16’s 3,561 mAh, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to include Apple’s largest-ever battery at 5,000mAh.4

Charging and Repair

Charging technology also advances with support for faster wired charging at 35W (compared to 20W for iPhone 16) and the adoption of Qi 2.2 wireless charging with potential speeds up to 50W for some models, nearly doubling the previous wireless charging capacity. Additionally, Apple has introduced electrically released adhesive in all iPhone 17 models, which facilitates easier repairs and component replacements.4

New Materials and Colors

The material composition sees changes as well, with the Pro models reportedly switching from titanium to aluminum frames, a departure from last year’s premium build. The iPhone 17 Air offers a new color palette inspired by Apple’s Air product line, including light blue and gold shades, besides traditional blacks and silvers. The redesigned camera bar on the Pro models also offers a fresh aesthetic, extending across the back of the phones for a distinctive appearance.1

Summary

The iPhone 17 series is a meaningful upgrade primarily for users interested in enhanced displays, improved cameras, better performance, and fresh design choices. While the base iPhone 17 incorporates key features like a larger 120Hz screen and upgraded selfie camera, the Pro models push the boundaries further with advanced photography capabilities and boosted processing power. New thin designs and faster charging add to the appeal, promising a comprehensive Apple smartphone experience for 2025.