On September 9, 2025, Apple unveiled its latest array of smartphones, introducing the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. For those eager to dive deeper, our previous Specs Appeal articles cover detailed features of both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max. Let’s now explore how these models stack up against each other.
The iPhone 17: A Stunning Upgrade
This year’s iPhone 17 signifies a remarkable leap forward, particularly with its display enhancements. Sporting a larger screen, it introduces a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate coupled with an always-on mode, marking it as the first non-Pro iPhone to feature this technology. Powering this device is the robust Apple A19 processor, complemented by a standard configuration of 256GB storage. It also boasts two rear-facing 48MP cameras and an 18MP front camera with Center Stage capabilities. Moreover, improved battery life and faster charging options enhance user experience.
Introducing the iPhone Air
Apple’s new iPhone Air replaces the previous Plus model, offering a sleek and stylish alternative. At just 0.22 inches (5.64 mm) thick, it features a polished titanium body and a single 48MP rear camera. Despite its slender profile, Apple has incorporated the powerful A19 Pro chip with a five-core GPU, along with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or even 1TB. The device also sports a vibrant 6.5-inch display with ProMotion technology, always-on functionality, and an impressive peak brightness of 3, 000 nits.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: The Flagship Models
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models stand out with a thicker design, crafted from a specialized aluminum alloy. While the display specifications remain largely the same as the Air, brightness has been enhanced to 3, 000 nits. Key improvements include a new triple-camera system featuring 48MP Fusion lenses, the advanced A19 Pro chip with six-core graphics, and larger battery capacities. Notably, the eSIM variants of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are said to offer up to 39 hours of video playback on a single charge.
Detailed Specifications Overview
Here’s a comparative table detailing the specifications of each device:
| iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size and Weight | 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches, 6.24oz149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm, 177 g | 6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 inches, 5.82oz156.2 x 74.7 x 5.64 mm, 165 g | 5.91 x 2.83 x 0.34 inches, 7.27oz150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm, 206 g |
| 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 inches, 8.22oz163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm, 233 g | |||
| Display | 6.3″2, 622×12063000 nits peak brightness1 nit min brightnessDynamic Island120Hz ProMotionAlways-on displayCeramic Shield 2 | 6.5″2, 736×1, 2603000 nits peak brightness1 nit min brightnessDynamic IslandAlways-on-Display1-120Hz | 6.3″2622×12063000 nits peak brightness1 nit min brightnessDynamic IslandAlways-on-Display1-120Hz |
| 6.9″2868×13201000/1600/3000 nits brightness1 nit min brightnessDynamic IslandAlways-on-Display1-120Hz | |||
| Case | Aluminum frameAction ButtonCamera Control | Polished Titanium frameCeramic Glass 2Ceramic GlassAction ButtonCamera Control | Aluminum UnibodyCeramic Glass 2Ceramic GlassAction ButtonCamera Control |
| Aluminum UnibodyCeramic Glass 2Ceramic GlassAction ButtonCamera Control | |||
| CPU | 6-core A195-core GPU16-core Neural EngineHardware-accelerated ray tracing | 6-core A19 Pro5-core GPU16-core Neural EngineHardware-accelerated ray tracing | 6-core A19 Pro6-core GPU16-core Neural EngineHardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512 GB / 1TB / 2TB (Pro Max only) |
| Main Cameras | 48MP Fusion + 48MP Fusion ultra-wideSensor-shift OISTrue Tone FlashPhotonic EnginePhotographic StylesSmart HDR 5 | 48MP FusionSensor-shift OISTrue Tone FlashPhotonic EnginePhotographic StylesSmart HDR 5 | 48MP Fusion + 48MP Fusion ultra-wide + 48MP Fusion telephoto0.5x / 1x / 8x optical zoomSecond-gen sensor-shift OISAdaptive True Tone FlashPhotonic EngineDeep FusionSmart HDR 5 for photosPhotographic StylesMacro PhotographySpatial photosProRAW |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage cameraCenter Stage for photosDual CaptureUltra-stabilized videoPhotonic EnginePhotographic StylesSmart HDR 5Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | ||
| Video Recording | Cinematic mode with shallow depth of field at 4K HDR 30 fpsDual Capture (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)Slow-mo video at up to 4K 120 fpsLog video recordingAcademy Color Encoding SystemSpatial Video recording4K video at 60 fpsMacro video recordingAction Mode | 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 60 fpsDual Capture (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)Slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fpsSpatial Video recording | 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 120 fps (Fusion Main), up to 60 fps (Fusion Ultra Wide, Fusion Telephoto)Dual Capture (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field, 4K HDR 30 fpsProRes RAWApple Log 2Genlock supportProRes video up to 4K at 120 fps with external recordingSlow-mo video at up to 4K 120 fpsLog video recordingAcademy Color Encoding SystemSpatial Video recording4K video at 60 fpsMacro video recordingAction Mode |
| Connectivity | GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)Wi-Fi 7Second-gen UWB chipThreadBluetooth 6Emergency SOS via satelliteCrash detection | ||
| SIM | No physical SIMDual eSIM support | Dual eSIM support | |
| Battery | TBD mAh30h video playback | TBD mAh33h video playback40h video playback with MagSafe Battery | TBD mAh39h video playback |
| TBD mAh33h video playback | |||
| Ports and Charging | USB-C 2.025W MagSafe wireless charging25W Qi2Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter. | USB-C 2.0Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher20W MagSafe wireless charging | USB-C (10Gb/s), MagSafe and Qi225W MagSafe wireless charging25W Qi2Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter. |
| Colors | Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black | Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black | Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver |
| Price | $799+ | $999+ | $1, 099+$1, 199+ |
Apple’s complete 2025 iPhone lineup is set for preorders starting on Friday, September 12, with shipments scheduled to commence on Friday, September 19.
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