iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Air Out Now — But Should You Upgrade Today?

Apple on September 9 unveiled its iPhone 17 family of smartphones along with the iPhone Air, which the company says is its thinnest device so far. The lineup replaces the earlier “Plus” variant with this new lightweight model, and introduces a redesigned Pro series with hardware upgrades.

The iPhone 17 series features three versions — iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. In addition, Apple introduced the iPhone Air, a slimmer device aimed at users who prefer lightweight smartphones.

The base iPhone 17 now supports a 120Hz LTPO ProMotion display with peak brightness of 3,000 nits and Always-on Display. A 48-megapixel ultrawide camera has been added, aligning the device with Android rivals that have offered similar features for years.

The Pro and Pro Max variants adopt a new rectangular camera housing that stretches across the back and include a 48-megapixel telephoto sensor. Both run on the A19 Pro chip with a vapor chamber cooling system for improved thermal management.

The iPhone Air, measuring just 5.6mm in thickness and weighing 165 grams, is Apple’s slimmest iPhone. To achieve this design, Apple reduced battery size and camera setup. The Air uses a single 48-megapixel rear camera within an elliptical camera bump. While powered by the A19 Pro, the absence of a vapor chamber could make the device run warmer under demanding use.

The Air sports a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, positioned between the iPhone 17 Pro’s 6.3-inch screen and the Pro Max’s 6.9-inch panel. It also has one less GPU core than the Pro models, resulting in slightly reduced performance.

Apple has started shipping iOS 26 across supported iPhones. The update introduces “Liquid Glass,” a refreshed user interface with translucent design elements. Devices from the iPhone 11 series onward will receive iOS 26, but Apple Intelligence tools are reserved for newer hardware — beginning with the iPhone 15 Pro series, last year’s iPhone 16, the iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17 lineup.

Apple does not disclose battery capacities but provides video playback estimates. The iPhone 17 is rated for 30 hours, the iPhone 17 Pro for 31 hours, and the Pro Max for 37 hours. The thinner iPhone Air manages up to 27 hours but can extend usage with a separate MagSafe battery pack.

Pre-orders are open in India and other markets, with sales beginning September 19. The iPhone 17 is priced at Rs 82,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro costs Rs 1,34,900 and the Pro Max Rs 1,49,900. The iPhone Air is listed at Rs 1,19,900. U.S. pricing remains lower compared to India.

Apple raised prices slightly compared with the iPhone 16 series, but doubled base storage and introduced stronger camera systems. The Pro models now include a 48-megapixel telephoto lens and an 18-megapixel front camera, upgrades from the 12-megapixel sensors in the previous generation.

The iPhone 17 lineup offers higher refresh displays, stronger processors, and better cameras. The iPhone Air appeals mainly to users prioritizing slim design over larger batteries or multi-lens systems. For those with older iPhones, especially pre-iPhone 15 models, the new devices may present a significant step forward.