UK wait times for iPhone 17 extend as Apple delays deliveries; iPhone Air ships earlier

Apple has quietly extended delivery estimates for its iPhone 17 lineup in the United Kingdom, pushing back delivery windows for several models by as much as four weeks. The standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro are now expected to be delivered between 7 and 14 October, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is slated for 14 to 21 October.

The moves come as Apple unveiled its 2025 iPhone range at a September event at its California headquarters, introducing four models—the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max—along with three new Apple Watches and AirPods Pro 3. The devices went on sale on Friday, with eager fans lining up at stores and online shops around the world.

In the United Kingdom, the iPhone Air is positioned as the thinnest option in Apple’s lineup and is set to ship first, with a delivery date of 24 September. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro follow in the 7–14 October window, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected between 14 and 21 October. These timelines come as demand for Apple’s latest devices remains high in major markets.

Pricing for the lineup reflects a stepped approach. The iPhone Air starts at around 999 dollars or pounds, with the standard iPhone 17 beginning at 799 pounds (799 dollars). The iPhone 17 Pro starts at 1,099 pounds, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 1,199 pounds, before taxes and carrier deals are applied. Apple’s push into lighter, more capable devices has been paired with the more premium Pro models, which offer larger displays and enhanced processing power.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a rear camera bump that stretches across the top third of the phone, a design element that drew mixed reactions from fans. The Pro models are available in three colors: Silver, Deep Blue, and a bold Cosmic Orange. By contrast, the Air is marketed as a lighter, more affordable option in a simpler color palette.

Outside of the UK rollout, the launch prompted scenes in other markets as fans queued for hours to purchase the new devices. A video from Mumbai showed a tense scene outside an Apple Store, with police and store staff working to maintain order as customers jostled to be among the first to own the latest devices. The incident underscored the high demand for Apple’s newest products in consumer markets around the world.

Analysts note that the UK delays align with broader global supply chain constraints and high demand for the iPhone 17 family. While some shoppers will welcome the Air’s earlier availability, others may face longer waits for the more premium options. Apple has previously signaled that new products can experience variable fulfillment timelines as manufacturing scales up and distribution channels adapt to strong demand.