Apple iPhone 17 Air, Pro Models Leak with Major Upgrades
Apple's iPhone 17 Air and Pro models bring slim design, 48MP cameras, A19 chip, and faster charging. India launch expected soon.
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With Apple’s annual hardware event nearing, fresh reports suggest a comprehensive overhaul for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. The series is expected to include four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. These models are tipped to introduce strategic hardware updates and design changes.
Among the four, the standard iPhone 17 may feature only incremental improvements compared to its predecessor. In contrast, Apple is expected to unveil a new variant named iPhone 17 Air, positioned as a lightweight alternative in the lineup. To achieve a thinner form factor, this model will include a single rear camera and could integrate a 120Hz OLED display, along with the next-generation A19 chip.
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to lead the lineup, targeting premium users. Both models are likely to receive substantial design updates, moving away from the layout that has remained unchanged since 2020. A new rectangular housing for the triple-camera setup and softer edge contours could distinguish these models.
Apple may switch back to stainless steel frames from titanium, aiming to manage production costs while retaining a premium finish. Leaks indicate that the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max will retain a 6.9-inch display. The Pro variants are also expected to feature Apple’s latest A19 Pro chipset, built on an optimized 3nm node, promising faster performance and improved power efficiency.
While the Pro models will continue to offer 120Hz ProMotion OLED panels with Always-On display support, non-Pro variants, including the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air, might finally receive a 120Hz refresh rate—marking a notable upgrade from the previous standard.
Apple is reportedly enhancing the imaging system on the Pro variants by upgrading all three rear cameras to 48MP sensors. This includes the main sensor, ultrawide lens, and a telephoto unit with 5x optical zoom. These improvements are expected to enhance zoom capabilities and overall image quality, placing the devices in competition with flagship Android models such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Support for 8K video recording is also speculated to be included in the Pro series, alongside improvements in low-light photography and video stabilization.
To support power-intensive features, Apple is expected to increase battery capacity on both Pro models. Battery stamina may improve by one to two hours. Charging speed is also tipped to rise to 35W—still slower than many Android flagships but a notable bump over previous iPhones.
Pricing for the Pro models may see a Rs 5,000 increase over last year’s versions. This puts the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in direct competition with foldable smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. Official pricing and availability details are anticipated during Apple’s fall event.
