iPhone 17 will feature a 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display across all models, matching Pro-level refresh rates for the first time on standard iPhones. Pro models expected to get 12GB RAM, 48MP telephoto lens, and vapor chamber cooling; prices may rise $50 due to tariffs, though base model may stay at $799.
iPhone 17 launches today with 120Hz display, new Air model, and potential price hikes
The standard iPhone finally gets the fast display Pro users have had for years
Mark
So the big story here is that the standard iPhone is finally getting the fast display that Pro users have had for years?
Mimi
That's one part of it, yes. The 120Hz ProMotion display on the base model is significant because it closes a gap that's existed for a while. But it's paired with a larger screen—6.3 inches instead of 6.1—which is also notable.
Luke
How confident are we in that display claim? I see Mark Gurman cited, and ETNews, but are there any conflicting reports?
Mimi
There's one leaker who suggests the standard model's display won't quite match the Pro panel in terms of power efficiency or brightness, even at 120Hz. But that's vague enough that it's hard to know what it means.
Mark
What about the new Air model? That seems like a bigger structural shift than just adding a feature.
Mimi
It does. Apple is retiring the Plus model and introducing an Air instead—thinner, positioned as premium. But the pricing is genuinely unclear. Some reports say $1,199 for the base storage, which would put it at or above the Pro Max.
Luke
That's a huge range of uncertainty. We're talking about a device that could be cheaper or more expensive than the Pro Max, and we don't actually know which.
Mimi
Right. The reporting is divided on this one. Some analysts point to the iPhone 16 Plus at $899 as a guide, others suggest it costs more than the Pro Max. We'll know in hours.
Mark
The battery story is interesting—Apple making its own for the first time. Does that actually mean longer battery life?
Mimi
The stated goal is significantly improved performance compared to existing batteries. But that's a promise, not a guarantee. The new adhesive system is more concrete—it's designed to make replacement easier, which is a real consumer benefit.
Luke
And the battery sizes are increasing, according to Chinese regulatory filings. But those filings reflect physical SIM models, not eSIM, so the actual capacities for eSIM phones would be larger still. It's a detail that matters for anyone trying to compare specs.
Mark
What about the tariff situation? Is that definitely going to mean higher prices?
Mimi
Apple said tariffs will add $1.1 billion in costs during the September quarter. But whether that translates to price increases is still unclear. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to stay at $799, but the Pro models may go up $50.
Luke
May. That's the operative word. We have conflicting reports—some saying prices will rise, others saying they'll hold. And we won't know until today's announcement.
O Pulso
- iPhone 17 expected to launch September 19, ten days after Apple's September 9 event
- All four iPhone 17 models tipped to feature 120Hz ProMotion displays for the first time on standard models
- Pro models expected to include 12GB RAM, 48MP telephoto lens, and vapor chamber cooling
- Apple reportedly building its own batteries for the first time, with improved performance as stated goal
- iPhone 17 Air replaces Plus model; pricing uncertain, ranging from $899 to $1,199 in various reports
iPhone 17 will feature a 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display across all models, matching Pro-level refresh rates for the first time on standard iPhones. Pro models expected to get 12GB RAM, 48MP telephoto lens, and vapor chamber cooling; prices may rise $50 due to tariffs, though base model may stay at $799.
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch September 19 with upgraded displays, improved cameras, and potentially higher prices due to tariff impacts. Key upgrades include 120Hz ProMotion displays, 12GB RAM for Pro models, and Apple's first in-house batteries.
Apple is set to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup today, and the months of leaks and rumors preceding the announcement paint a picture of a company preparing its most significant hardware refresh in years. The new phones are expected to arrive in stores on September 19, ten days after Apple's September 9 launch event, which the company has branded "Awe Dropping."
The standard iPhone 17 represents perhaps the most notable shift in the lineup. For the first time, the base model is expected to receive a 120Hz ProMotion display—a feature that has previously been exclusive to Pro models and that Apple's competitors have offered for years. The screen size is also expected to grow to 6.3 inches, matching the dimensions of the current Pro model. This faster refresh rate, powered by LTPO OLED panels that can drop to 1Hz for the always-on display, should deliver smoother scrolling and gaming performance. Multiple sources, including analyst Mark Gurman and Korean publication ETNews, have confirmed that all four iPhone 17 models will ship with 120Hz displays.
The iPhone 17 lineup itself is undergoing a structural change. Apple is expected to retire the Plus model and introduce an iPhone 17 Air instead—a thinner, premium device positioned between the standard model and the Pro line. Pricing for the Air remains uncertain, with some reports suggesting it could cost $1,199 for a 256GB model, potentially matching or exceeding the Pro Max. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to maintain its $799 starting price, though the Pro and Pro Max models may see increases of around $50 due to tariff pressures. During its July earnings call, Apple disclosed that it expects tariffs to add $1.1 billion in expenses during the September quarter as it shifts production to mitigate costs.
Under the hood, the Pro models are tipped to jump to 12GB of RAM—a significant boost from the current 8GB and a move analysts attribute to Apple's push into on-device artificial intelligence. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to retain 8GB. Both Pro models are rumored to feature a redesigned camera array with a 48MP telephoto lens, though one report suggests this upgrade may come at the cost of optical zoom, dropping from 5x to 3.5x. The selfie camera across all models is expected to upgrade to 24MP, a substantial jump from the 12MP TrueDepth camera that has remained largely unchanged since the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Apple's internal engineering is also shifting. The company is reportedly building its own batteries for the first time, with the goal of delivering significantly improved performance and longevity. A new adhesive system, previously tested on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, is expected to roll out across all four iPhone 17 models, making batteries easier to replace without damaging the device. Battery capacities are expected to increase across the lineup, with the iPhone 17 Air featuring the smallest at 3,036 mAh. Charging speeds may also improve, with regulatory filings suggesting support for the Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard. The Pro models are rumored to finally gain reverse wireless charging—a feature that has circulated in rumors for years.
The Pro models are also expected to incorporate vapor chamber cooling technology to manage heat during intensive tasks. Dummy units and leaked case designs suggest the Pro models may feature a thicker design, with the Pro Max potentially reaching 8.7mm compared to 8.25mm on the current generation. There is some uncertainty about the frame material: while titanium seems likely given its premium positioning, some reports suggest aluminum could be used instead, though this remains disputed.
The processor powering the iPhone 17 is expected to be the A19 chip, built on TSMC's third-generation 3nm process. This represents an incremental improvement over the second-generation 3nm process used in the A18, offering better transistor density and efficiency, though not the dramatic leap that a 2nm process would provide. That jump is now expected to arrive with the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026. One analyst suggests the standard iPhone 17 may continue using the A18 chipset, a strategy Apple attempted with the iPhone 14.
Software will arrive in the form of iOS 26, Apple's new naming convention that drops version numbers in favor of years. The update will emphasize a Liquid Glass redesign across Apple's software ecosystem, along with AI-powered improvements including enhanced call screening, live translation support, and improved Visual Intelligence. More substantial Siri improvements are expected to arrive in 2026. With the launch event now hours away, the months of speculation will soon give way to official specifications and pricing.
Citações Notáveis
Apple expects tariffs to add $1.1 billion in expenses during its September quarter— Apple, July earnings call
The iPhone 17 could feature significantly improved battery performance compared to existing models— Leaker reports on Apple's in-house battery development
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