Apple unveils iPhone 17 lineup, introduces ultra‑thin $999 iPhone 17 Air

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its iPhone 17 family, headlined by the new iPhone 17 Air — a $999 ultra‑thin model that the company says is its slimmest device yet. The Air measures 5.6 millimeters thick, sports a 6.5‑inch ProMotion display and Apple’s latest A19 Pro chip, and will be offered in four colors: space black, cloud white, light gold and sky blue.

Apple presented the new devices at its Cupertino headquarters during an event described by the company as “awe dropping,” where CEO Tim Cook called the releases the "biggest leap ever for iPhone." The iPhone 17 Air is the first new small‑form flagship since the iPhone Mini in 2020 and is thinner than many recent flagship rivals, including Samsung’s S25 Edge.

To achieve the thin profile, Apple said the iPhone 17 Air uses a lightweight titanium frame and a new Ceramic Shield 2 coating on both front and rear that the company described as more durable than prior generations. The device carries a single 48‑megapixel “fusion” rear camera designed to emulate multiple focal lengths and an 18‑megapixel square‑sensor front camera with Apple’s Centre Stage framing and on‑device AI for automatic subject detection. Apple also said the Air supports Dual Capture Video, recording from front and rear cameras simultaneously.

Sacrifices required to reach the slim profile include a reduction in rear camera hardware compared with the standard iPhone 17 and a smaller internal battery. Apple did not disclose a raw battery capacity for the Air but said the device provides “all‑day battery” through more efficient processing. To address user concerns about runtime, Apple introduced a new slim MagSafe battery pack that the company says can extend the Air’s playback life to 40 hours.

The standard iPhone 17, priced from $799, gains several features previously reserved for Pro models. Its display has grown to 6.3 inches and now uses ProMotion technology with a variable 120Hz refresh rate. The rear system combines a 48‑megapixel dual fusion main camera and a 48‑megapixel ultrawide camera. Apple also raised the minimum storage tier across the iPhone 17 lineup to 256GB.

Apple’s higher‑end models, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, received the most extensive redesigns. Prices for the Pro begin at $1,099. Both Pro models use Apple’s A19 Pro chip and a new, widened camera island stretching across the top of the device that Apple calls a “plateau.” The island houses three 48‑megapixel rear cameras, including a telephoto lens capable of up to 8x optical zoom. For the first time, the Pro Max will be offered with up to 2 terabytes of storage.

To manage heat from the faster processors and sustained workloads, Apple said it added a vapor chamber cooling system to the Pro models and switched from prior titanium constructions to aluminum, which the company said improves heat conduction. Apple also introduced a glass insert in the lower two‑thirds of the Pro models’ rear to support wireless charging. Apple claimed the iPhone 17 Pro models have the longest battery life offered in an iPhone, with up to 39 hours of continuous video playback.

Across the lineup, Apple highlighted on‑device AI capabilities that tap the A19 Pro for tasks such as the Centre Stage front‑camera framing and other computational photography features. Apple first moved into broader AI services with 2024’s Apple Intelligence and has continued integrating AI into hardware and software this year.

Apple did not announce carrier‑specific availability or detailed battery‑life numbers for all models during the presentation. The company said color, finish and storage options vary by model. The iPhone 17 is offered in five colors including black, lavender, mist blue, sage and white; the Pro models come in cosmic orange, deep blue and silver.

The iPhone 17 family follows a decades‑long evolution of Apple’s mobile products, from the original iPhone in 2007 through periodic redesigns and feature additions such as Face ID, larger screens, and advanced sensors. Tuesday’s releases emphasize a mix of industrial design shifts, camera upgrades and tighter integration of higher‑performance silicon to support on‑device AI and computational photography features.

Retail pricing announced at the event keeps entry points consistent with recent years for the base and Pro models while introducing the iPhone 17 Air at a midpoint price of $999. Apple said the new phones will ship later this fall, with specific release dates and pre‑order windows to be published on its website and through retail partners.