What’s new in iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max? 12 upgrades leaked
Launch expected mid-September with pricing starting above $1,199
DUBAI: The buzz is back – Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have triggered a leak-fest just three months ahead of launch.
Slated for announcement in early to mid-September 2025, the new models bring a reimagined design, camera shake-ups, and pro-level hardware leaps.
Four variants are expected to debut: the standard iPhone 17, a new iPhone 17 Air, and the premium iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Apple is reportedly phasing out the Plus model in favour of these refreshed lineups.
Design overhaul?
One of the standout shifts is in the chassis. The iPhone 17 Pro models are said to adopt an aluminium frame instead of the titanium used in previous Pros. A hybrid aluminium-glass back aims to strike the right balance between durability and heat management. The Pro Max may retain titanium, offering a luxury-tier option.
A bold rectangular camera bump with rounded corners will distinguish the new design further. Though lens placement may remain triangular, the structure is revamped – hinting at heat dissipation improvements and making room for upgraded sensors.
Adding flair to function is a new "Sky Blue" finish, expected to echo the MacBook Air M3’s colour palette.
Feature upgrades?
Apple Hub and other credible leakers have identified 12 major enhancements that are likely to debut with the iPhone 17 Pro series:
- Aluminium + glass body (or titanium for Pro Max)
- Rectangular camera bump
- Sky Blue colour option
- Larger battery, especially for Pro Max
- A19 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s third-gen 3nm process
- Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7, replacing Broadcom’s chip
- 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP
- 48MP telephoto lens, a sharp boost from previous 12MP
- Dual camera video recording, front + rear simultaneously
- 8K video recording, likely across all rear lenses
- 12GB RAM, up from 8GB on the iPhone 16
- Vapour-chamber cooling, especially for Pro models
What we know about the iPhone 17 Pro Max so far ????
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) October 15, 2024
Would you upgrade next year? pic.twitter.com/Mj2sHgD1Rg
When’s it coming?
If history repeats itself, Apple’s keynote is expected between September 9 and 11, with pre-orders starting that Friday and availability within a week. Pro models, including the Max, could go live between September 11 and 13, according to industry trackers.
The timing is crucial – particularly for markets like India and the UAE, where the festive season may influence strategy.
Here’s our best look yet at the new iPhone 17 Pro Max - https://t.co/xHHhbvyz1m pic.twitter.com/iruhAe9rPT
— Unbox Therapy (@UnboxTherapy) April 8, 2025
How much will it cost?
In the US, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to start above $1,199. However, factors like tariffs and supply chain shifts could push prices upwards — with leaks hinting at a possible ceiling of $1,700 to $2,300+, especially in tariff-hit zones.
Here’s a look at potential pricing in major markets:
India:
- iPhone 17 – Rs89,900
- iPhone 17 Air – Rs95,000
- iPhone 17 Pro Max – Rs164,900
UAE:
- Base iPhone 17 could cost around Dh3,799
What else is rumoured?
There are whispers of mechanical variable apertures, a shrunk-down Dynamic Island, and ProMotion (120Hz) across all variants – not just the Pro lineup. That could mark the first time Apple introduces high refresh rate displays across its entire iPhone range, aided by LTPO OLED panels.
AI & iOS 26 ready?
Each model is expected to run iOS 26 out of the box. AI is a focal point – camera enhancements, FaceTime effects, and multitasking may benefit from deeper integration with Apple Intelligence tools.
Whether you’re a vlogger banking on dual recording, a gamer pushing device limits, or someone still holding onto an iPhone 13, the iPhone 17 series looks set to bring a powerful set of changes – at least on paper. But until Tim Cook takes the stage, everything remains speculative. For now, keep your eyes on September.