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Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17, Air, Pro, or Pro Max? 40 Differences Compared

Apple's four new iPhones launch later this month, with more differences between the latest models than ever before.


Instead of the familiar split between standard and Pro models, Apple has introduced the new iPhone Air, expanded the feature gap between tiers, and refined each model to serve a clearer audience. The result is a four-device family that ranges from the affordable and practical iPhone 17 to the feature-packed iPhone 17 Pro Max, with distinct trade-offs in size, materials, camera hardware, and battery life along the way. All models share Apple's latest A19 chip platform, meaning performance is fairly consistent across the board, but their designs, display sizes, and camera features are more specialized than ever before.

This guide offers a detailed look at every difference—dimensions, design, cameras, battery life, and pricing—so you can make an informed choice. Whether you prioritize design, photography, or battery life, this year's iPhones are no longer one-size-fits-all devices, and understanding the lineup is key to choosing the best model for you and your budget.

Sizes and Weights






































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Height 5.89 inches (149.6 mm) 6.15 inches (156.2 mm) 5.91 inches (150.0 mm) 6.43 inches (163.4 mm)
Width 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) 2.94 inches (74.7 mm) 2.83 inches (71.9 mm) 3.07 inches (78.0 mm)
Depth 0.31 inches (7.95 mm) 0.22 inches (5.64 mm) 0.34 inches (8.75 mm) 0.34 inches (8.75 mm)
Weight 6.24 ounces (177 grams) 5.82 ounces (165 grams) 7.27 ounces (206 grams) 8.22 ounces (233 grams)



Designs







































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Anodized aluminum frame Polished titanium frame Anodized aluminum unibody Anodized aluminum unibody
Camera plateau Camera plateau Camera plateau
Ceramic Shield front Ceramic Shield front and back Ceramic Shield front and back Ceramic Shield front and back
6.3-inch display 6.5-inch display 6.3-inch display 6.9-inch display
Available in White, Black, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender Available in Cloud White, Space Black, Sky Blue, and Light Gold Available in Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange Available in Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange



Battery Life and Charging

































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
3,692 mAh battery 3,149 mAh battery 4,252 mAh battery 5,088 mAh battery
Up to 30-hour battery life Up to 27-hour battery life Up to 33-hour battery life Up to 39-hour battery life
MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 20W ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 25W ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 25W
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher, or 30W adapter or higher paired with ‌MagSafe‌ Charger Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher



Camera Hardware













































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Dual rear cameras Single rear camera Triple rear cameras Triple rear cameras
48-megapixel ultra wide camera 48-megapixel ultra wide camera 48-megapixel ultra wide camera
48-megapixel telephoto camera 48-megapixel telephoto camera
0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options 1x and 2x optical zoom options 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom options 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom options
LiDAR Scanner LiDAR Scanner
True Tone flash True Tone flash Adaptive True Tone flash Adaptive True Tone flash



Camera Features











































































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Macro photography Macro photography Macro photography
Spatial photos Spatial photos Spatial photos
ProRAW ProRAW
Cinematic mode Cinematic mode Cinematic mode
ProRes video recording ProRes video recording
ProRes RAW ProRes RAW
Academy Color Encoding System Academy Color Encoding System
Apple Log 2 video recording Apple Log 2 video recording
Genlock support Genlock support
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fps Slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fps Slo‑mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps Slo‑mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps



Other Differences



















































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone‌ Air ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
A19 chip A19 Pro chip A19 Pro chip A19 Pro chip
5-core GPU 5-core GPU 6-core GPU 6-core GPU
8GB memory 12GB memory 12GB memory 12GB memory
Stereo speakers Mono speaker Stereo speakers Stereo speakers
Studio-quality four-mic array Studio-quality four-mic array
USB-C (USB 2) USB-C (USB 2) USB-C (USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers) USB-C (USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers)
256GB or 512GB storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage



Pricing







































256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB
‌iPhone 17‌ $799 $999
‌iPhone‌ Air $999 $1,199 $1,399
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ $1,099 $1,299 $1,499
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max $1,199 $1,399 $1,599 $1,999



Which One Should You Choose?


Apple's latest ‌iPhone‌ lineup is more segmented than ever, with clear distinctions in size, design, and hardware to suit different needs. All four models share the same core performance, so your choice comes down to priorities like design, camera versatility, and price.


  • iPhone 17: Best for those who need a good, practical all-round ‌iPhone‌ at an affordable price.

  • iPhone Air: Best for those who want the thinnest and lightest ‌iPhone‌ in a groundbreaking new premium design with a medium-sized display, but are willing to accept noticeable compromises on camera features, battery life, charging speed, and speakers.

  • iPhone 17 Pro: Best for those who want the versatile new 48-megapixel telephoto camera and a large range of additional camera features and hardware in a smaller package, along with better mics and faster USB speeds.

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: Best for "pro" users who need the rich feature set of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, but with the largest possible display, battery life, and storage.



The ‌iPhone 17‌ should be the default option for most users, with the ability to move up to the Air as a design-led option, the Pro as a creator-focused device, and the Pro Max delivering everything in the largest format.

Pre-orders of the new ‌iPhone‌ lineup open on Friday, September 12, with launch on Friday, September 19.
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iPhone 17 Introduces 'Groundbreaking' New Memory Security Feature

Apple has added a "groundbreaking" new memory security feature to its new iPhone 17 lineup called Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), which the company describes as "the most significant upgrade to memory safety in the history of consumer operating systems."


The new security feature targets spyware tools like Pegasus that exploit vulnerabilities to hack targeted devices. According to Apple, MIE provides comprehensive, always-on memory-safety protection covering the kernel and over 70 userland processes, built on the Enhanced Memory Tagging Extension (EMTE).

The new feature is supported by the new A19 and A19 Pro chips found across the iPhone 17 lineup as well as the iPhone Air. Apple says it has also added memory safety improvements for older hardware that doesn't support the new memory tagging features. In addition, Apple is making EMTE available to all Apple developers in Xcode as part of the new Enhanced Security feature that the company released earlier this year during WWDC.

The approach includes mitigation for Spectre V1 attacks that Apple claims works with "virtually zero CPU cost," addressing performance concerns that have plagued similar security features in the past. Apple says these changes make "mercenary spyware" significantly more expensive to develop, and present a major challenge to the surveillance industry.
Based on our evaluations pitting Memory Integrity Enforcement against exceptionally sophisticated mercenary spyware attacks from the last three years, we believe MIE will make exploit chains significantly more expensive and difficult to develop and maintain, disrupt many of the most effective exploitation techniques from the last 25 years, and completely redefine the landscape of memory safety for Apple products.
For in-depth information about the new MIE security feature, readers should refer to Apple's Security Research blog.
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All iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Battery Capacities Allegedly Leaked

Just ahead of Apple unveiling the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, it appears that battery capacities for the devices have surfaced in a Chinese regulatory database.


The table below lists the alleged battery capacities for each model, which were shared in a post on X today by an account known as ShrimpApplePro.

The database suggests that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available with and without a physical SIM card tray, depending on the country of sale. On the other hand, the base-model iPhone 17 might have only one battery size, as only a single capacity for that device has been discovered so far.

Given the SIM card tray takes up some space inside an iPhone, the models with it appear to have slightly lower battery capacities than eSIM-only variants.































Model With SIM Card Tray Without YoY Increase (Maximum)
iPhone 17 3,692 mAh +3.7%
iPhone 17 Air 3,036 mAh 3,149 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro 3,988 mAh 4,252 mAh +18.7%
iPhone 17 Pro Max 4,823 mAh 5,088 mAh +8.6%



MacRumors has independently confirmed that some of these battery listings are present in the Chinese regulatory database shown in the screenshot, but we cannot explicitly say that they are for the iPhone 17 models, as Apple stopped using obvious "A####" identifiers for iPhone batteries a few years ago. However, we do believe there is a good chance these are in fact the battery capacities for the iPhone 17 series.

Here are the battery capacities for all iPhone 16 models:






















Model With and Without SIM Card Tray
iPhone 16 3,561 mAh
iPhone 16 Plus 4,674 mAh
iPhone 16 Pro 3,582 mAh
iPhone 16 Pro Max 4,685 mAh



Apple removed the SIM card tray in the U.S. starting with the iPhone 14 series, but it has simply put a piece of plastic where the tray used to be inside those devices. As a result, all iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models sold in the U.S. have the same battery capacities as the equivalent models sold in other countries.

It was previously rumored that Apple plans to eliminate the SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries beyond the U.S. this year, but it might continue to exist in some countries, due to limited eSIM availability or other factors. For example, some iPhone 17 models might still have a SIM card slot in China, due to local regulations.

Notably, the iPhone 17 Air is the model that is most expected to lack a physical SIM card slot in many countries, due to its ultra-thin design with limited internal space.

A few takeaways based on these alleged capacities:
  • It looks like the smaller iPhone 17 Pro will be receiving a significant boost in battery life, with a nearly 19% increase in capacity over the iPhone 16 Pro.

  • As rumored, the iPhone 17 Pro Max would become the first iPhone model to cross the 5,000 mAh battery capacity mark. With a 5,088 mAh battery, the device would have a around an 8% larger battery compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

  • Another rumor that appears to be accurate is the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air having around a 3,000 mAh battery capacity, which is on the lower side for an iPhone. However, the device will benefit from Apple's power-efficient C1 modem for cellular connectivity, and Apple reportedly plans to release an iPhone 17 Air battery case.
Given that Apple is now required to show an energy label on its iPhone product pages in the EU, official mAh battery capacities might be published later this week.

As always, you can only directly compare mAh values when the batteries have the same voltage, with Wh a preferred unit of measurement. iPhone batteries typically do have the same voltage, allowing for mAh comparisons.
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iPhone 17 Colors: Every Rumored Option for the Full Lineup

Apple will unveil its new iPhone 17 lineup on September 9 in a range of new colors. Below, we've collated all the rumored colors for the regular iPhone 17, the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, and the larger ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max.



iPhone 17 Models


Last year, Apple chose soft, pastel-inspired finishes for its iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models. They are available in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black. The yellow that the iPhone 15 comes in is notably missing, having been replaced by the darker blue hue of the ultramarine. Together, the iPhone 16 colors appear more saturated and vivid – pink and ultramarine especially show a bolder, more confident hue compared to the pastel washes of the iPhone 15.

Last year's iPhone 16 colorways


Six Colors


For the regular iPhone 17, Apple is rumored to be offering the following colors.
Black and White remain as classic color options, complemented by four new options, including a Steel Gray twist on Space Gray:

  • Black

  • White

  • Steel Gray

  • Green

  • Purple

  • Light Blue
These colors came from an "internal document" obtained by Macworld. Many have also been rumored by leakers "Majin Bu" and Sonny Dickson.

Purple and Green options for iPhone 17


iPhone 17 Air



With the 2025 iPhone launch, Apple will introduce an ultra thin "iPhone 17 Air," marking the first notable redesign to the iPhone's form factor in several years. The device will replace the Plus model in Apple's iPhone 17 lineup. iPhone 17 Air is just a placeholder name, and we don't know what Apple will call the new device, but multiple rumors have confirmed Apple's work on a super thin iPhone.

Four Colors



Apple plans to offer the iPhone 17 Air in four colors, including black, silver, light gold, and light blue, according to leaker Majin Bu. Macworld has also independently corroborated the four colors.

  • Black

  • White

  • Light Blue

  • Light Gold
It's not clear if light gold will be Apple's actual marketing name for this color, but light blue is thought to be a re-emergence of Sky Blue, the same color that debuted on the latest M4 MacBook Air models Apple released in March.

The new lighter blue color option for the device was first mentioned by Weibo leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," who suggests that this blue shade will be central to Apple's marketing for the new device. Described as significantly lighter than any previous blue Apple has released, the color may appear almost white in low-light conditions. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also independently confirmed the light blue color.

The iPhone 13 Pro's "Sierra Blue" finish (2021).

The finish is said to echo Apple's past use of lighter tones, particularly the iPhone 13 Pro's "Sierra Blue." That color marked a shift toward more subtle, pastel-like shades – metallic and icy, it shifted between blue and light gray depending on the lighting. Apple continued this trend with the softer, pastel finishes introduced in the iPhone 15 lineup.

Majin Bu has said that it "looks even more stunning than the much-loved Sierra Blue of the iPhone 13 Pro, with a brightness and refinement that make it irresistible."


M4 MacBook Air in Sky Blue

The Sky Blue finish on the MacBook Air is not very saturated, and the color's appearance can vary based on lighting conditions. Apple describes it as "a beautiful, metallic light blue that creates a dynamic gradient when light reflects off of its surface."

iPhone 17 Pro Models


Apple has stuck with muted colors for its recent iPhone "Pro" models made from titanium. For the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple offered a new Desert Titanium color. The iPhone 16 Pro also comes in Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.

Last year's iPhone 16 Pro colorways


This year, however, iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame instead of titanium. The back of the devices will also reportedly have a new "part-aluminum, part-glass" design. This could potentially usher in all-new color choices for Apple's high-end iPhone 17 models. And so far, we have heard rumors of at least two.

Five Colors



Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models will have a new copper-like orange color option, according to accessory specialist and occasional leaker Sonny Dickson. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also independently confirmed the new color.

Dickson has shared images of alleged lens covers for the rear cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, with five color labels. Macworld has independently corroborated the colors:

  • Black

  • White

  • Gray

  • Dark Blue

  • Orange

iPhone 17 lens protection cover will match the phone color. The orange one for the Pro Max might hint at a new shade, possibly dark gold or copper. pic.twitter.com/BMamZ45now

— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) July 14, 2025

Apple is seemingly sticking with some familiar finishes for the iPhone 16 Pro lineup: the black, gray, and silver colors probably match the current Black Titanium, Natural Titanium, and White Titanium options. However, a dark blue lens cover hints at the possible return of Blue Titanium, last seen with the iPhone 15 Pro.

The standout though is the orange lens cover, which may signal the debut of a completely new copper-like finish – an option Apple has never offered on any iPhone before.

What do you think of the color options in this year's iPhone 17 series? Let us know in the comments.
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iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu."


Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the system." The design eliminates the need for conventional hooks or loops.

Samples of the Crossbody Strap are apparently made from a woven nylon material similar to the Apple Watch's Sport Loop bands. Apple may also introduce a silicone variant.


Production is said to have already begun ahead of immediate availability alongside the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup. While it is designed primarily for Apple's ‌iPhone 17‌ cases, the strap may also be compatible with the AirPods Pro 3.
Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro
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Apple's 'Liquid Silicone' iPhone 17 Case Colors Allegedly Revealed

Apple is designing new "Liquid Silicone" cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with images of the alleged case colors shared by leaker "Majin Bu."


The lineup includes eight variants with a matte finish and soft-touch texture, including deep orange, pale orange, grass green, celadon, fog purple, grey blue, dark blue, and midnight black. The cases also have multiple cutouts for attaching a lanyard, which may be sold separately.

Bu claims Apple initially tested other shades including black, crag gray, carambola, tannin, and lake green, but "these appear to have been discarded." The leaker goes on to suggest that some of these hues may yet appear as seasonal variants that Apple could release at a later date.


Hit-or-miss leaker Bu previously shared images of new so-called "TechWoven" cases for iPhone 17 models that are allegedly replacing the fabric-like FineWoven cases that Apple discontinued with the iPhone 16 launch. Bu describes Apple's Liquid Silicone cases as targeting a broader audience than TechWoven, with an affordable price and a diverse color range.

It's still unclear if these cases are the real deal – if so, the name "Liquid Silicone" is seemingly based on iOS 26's new "Liquid Glass" design. However, Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors. They were most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads. We will find out the accuracy of the rumor in less than a month when Apple unveils the new ‌iPhone 17‌ models.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
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