iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air pre-orders began on Friday in the U.S. and many other countries. iPhone 17 Pro Max delivery estimates quickly slipped beyond the Friday, September 19 launch day for those who had yet to place an order, and now the rest of the new models have started to follow suit.
As of shortly after 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time today, select iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. are facing an additional 1-3 week shipping delay beyond launch day, with delivery estimates pushing into late September to mid-October. However, for some configurations, delivery or in-store pickup at select Apple Store locations on launch day is still an option at the time of writing.
We do not know how much supply Apple has for each new iPhone configuration, but if extended delivery estimates generally align with strong demand, then Cosmic Orange for the Pro models and Cloud White for the iPhone Air are proving to be especially popular color options so far. For the regular iPhone 17, Sage and Black are in demand.
On a related note, there is some good news for customers who placed a pre-order as soon as possible on Friday, as some customers who initially received a September 25 delivery estimate have now seen their orders bumped up to September 19.
Need help with making your pre-order decision? Check out our helpful buyer's guide below:
In case you missed it, Apple's event this week included another heartwarming video about the Apple Watch's genuine life-saving potential.
The video is titled "Dear Apple," in reference to the emails the company receives from Apple Watch customers who were alerted to health conditions, or were helped by features like Emergency SOS and Crash Detection at critical moments.
"Real people share how Apple Watch has changed and even helped save their lives—a fitness story in New York, a teen's struggle with mental health in the UK and powerful health and safety stories from the U.S., Japan, and Canada," said Apple.
The latest iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air models are equipped with Apple's all-new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. However, the chip has a Wi-Fi 7 bandwidth limitation.
According to FCC documents reviewed by MacRumors, the N1 chip in all of the new iPhone models supports up to 160 MHz channel bandwidth for Wi-Fi 7, short of the standard's 320 MHz maximum. This limitation means the devices cannot achieve the peak theoretical speeds possible with Wi-Fi 7, but real-world performance is typically already bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.
For the vast majority of customers, this is a non-issue, but some iPhone users had wantedto know if the N1 chip offered 160 MHz or 320 MHz channel bandwidth for Wi-Fi 7, so we combed through FCC documents to find the answer.
FCC document showing Wi-Fi specs for iPhone 17 Pro Max
Wi-Fi 7 is still very fast. The standard allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and/or 6GHz bands simultaneously, with a compatible router, resulting in faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity.
All of the iPhone 16 models — excluding the iPhone 16e — also support Wi-Fi 7 with up to 160 MHz channel bandwidth. Those devices are equipped with a Broadcom chip for wireless networking, though, leading to hopes that Apple's N1 chip might raise the limit to 320 MHz. Evidently, that is not the case.
There are other benefits, though. Apple said the N1 chip improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop, and it also contributes to power efficiency improvements in the latest iPhone models.
The entry-level iPhone 17 model looks very similar to the equivalent iPhone 16 model, but it is reportedly proving popular in at least one country so far.
On the popular Chinese shopping website JD.com, the standard iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage received the most pre-orders of any of the new iPhone models after pre-orders began on Friday, according to the South China Morning Post.
There is one caveat: Apple delayed pre-orders for the all-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air in China due to eSIM regulatory approval issues in the country. However, on Apple's online store in the U.S., most iPhone Air configurations are still available for September 19 launch day delivery, so it is quite possible that the entry-level iPhone 17 would have proved popular in China even if the iPhone Air had also been available to pre-order.
Why is the regular iPhone 17 proving popular, despite being the "boring" choice? It almost certainly comes down to the device's perceived value, as the device starts at the same $799/5,999 yuan price as the regular iPhone 16 did when it launched, despite featuring a larger 6.3-inch display with thinner bezels, ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, a doubled 256GB of base storage, and many other upgrades. The display improvements in particular finally bring the base iPhone more in line with the Pro models.
So while the iPhone 17 does not have a flashy new design, nor is it the thinnest iPhone ever, it appears to be an unassuming hit so far.
Apple's annual flagship iPhone event has come and gone for 2025, but we're still digesting all of the details from this week's big announcements.
There was lots to unpack with eight major new products plus related accessories and other announcements, so read on below for all the details on this week's debuts!
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Everything Apple Announced at This Week's Event in 13 Minutes
Apple this week held its "Awe Dropping" fall event to debut new iPhone 17 models, the super-thin iPhone Air, three new Apple Watch models, new AirPods Pro 3, and more. It took Apple more than an hour to introduce the new devices, but we've recapped everything in a quick 13-minute video for our readers who want a short but detailed overview of what's new.
We've also rounded up our full event coverage, so make sure to take a look at our articles to avoid missing any key details about Apple's updated devices.
It features a titanium frame with a polished mirror finish, Ceramic Shield 2 with 3x better scratch resistance and 4x better crack resistance on both sides of the device, a 6.5-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion technology, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a new 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera, and more.
Apple Announces iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max With New Design, Larger Battery, and More
Apple's high-end Pro and Pro Max models have gotten significant overhauls for the iPhone 17 lineup, including a new aluminum unibody design with a large camera plateau featuring three 48-megapixel cameras.
Ceramic Shield 2 is included on the front and rear of the devices for greater durability, there's an A19 Pro chip with significant performance improvements, improved thermal management thanks to a vapor chamber cooling system, and more.
Both models are available in Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange color options, with pricing starting at $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro and $1,199 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Apple Announces iPhone 17 Featuring Larger 6.3-Inch Display With ProMotion Support
Apple this week unveiled the iPhone 17, featuring a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display that includes ProMotion technology for the first time on a non-Pro model. It starts at $799 for 256GB of storage.
The iPhone 17 features Ceramic Shield 2, the Center Stage front camera, a pair of 48-megapixel rear cameras, longer battery life, and more.
Apple Announces AirPods Pro 3 With Better Active Noise Cancellation, Heart Rate Monitor, and More
Apple this week announced the AirPods Pro 3 during its "Awe Dropping" event at Apple Park. The new AirPods Pro 3 feature better Active Noise Cancellation, better in-ear fit, upgraded audio, and IP57 sweat and water resistance.
One major new feature is a new custom-built heart rate sensor and integrated workout experience. With just AirPods Pro 3 and an iPhone, users can track their heart rate and calories burned during workouts, and even close their Move ring and earn awards in the Fitness app.
Apple Watch Series 11 Announced With Hypertension Detection, Sleep Score, and More
Apple introduced updates for all three of its Apple Watch lines this week, headlined by the Apple Watch Series 11. It features hypertension detection, improved scratch resistance, 5G connectivity on cellular models, improved battery life, and more.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Hornsby is a suburb of Sydney, on the Upper North Shore. Apple opened its store there in 2011, and it will close for good on October 4, at 5 p.m. local time.
In a statement shared with some Australian media outlets a few months ago, Apple said it had decided not to renew its lease at Westfield Hornsby. Apple said all affected retail employees would be given the opportunity to work at Apple's nearby store at the Chatswood Chase shopping mall, in Chatswood, which is set to reopen in October.
Apple Hornsby
Apple Chatswood Chase has been closed for renovations for many months. Apple said the store will be completely redesigned, and it will offer an Apple Pickup station for collecting online orders, and a dedicated area for Today at Apple sessions. With the Chatswood Chase store set to expand, Apple decided to close its Hornsby store.
The company has six other stores in the Sydney area.
Apple has permanently closed a handful of its stores in 2025, but it has also opened many new locations this year, including in Miami, Shenzhen, Osaka, Bengaluru, and elsewhere. Earlier today, Apple announced that its all-new store in Downtown Detroit will be holding its grand opening on Friday, September 19, at 5 p.m. local time.
iOS 26 is coming in just three days, and it brings a new Liquid Glass design with translucent UI elements, rounded menu bars, simplified navigation, pop out menus, and more.
Liquid Glass has been contentious during the beta testing period. Some people don't feel like there's enough translucency, and others think Apple has gone too far, impacting readability. Where do you fall on the spectrum? Let us know in the comments below.
The new design is the big iOS 26 talking point, but the update also has a bunch of new features, both big and small. Are you looking forward to screening your phone calls? Setting a custom snooze duration? Making Genmoji? Using Live Translation?
For a recap on all of the features that are coming next week, make sure to check out our iOS 26 roundup. We also have overviews of iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, both of which have some exciting new additions.
Following Tuesday's event, new Liquid Glass icons for Apple Store, Clips, GarageBand, iMovie, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages have surfaced on Apple's iPhone tech spec pages. The new icons appear on the iPhone 16 tech specs page despite that model having no hardware changes, and existing users will presumably see the new icons in app updates that will roll out on Monday alongside iOS 26.
iOS 26 icons
These apps come preinstalled on new iPhones but they were not included in the iOS 26 betas and release candidate because they are updated through the App Store. While the spec sheets themselves don't reveal changes beyond the usual pre-installed and downloadable apps, the iconography is unmistakably updated to the latest iOS design set based around Liquid Glass.
Most of the updates are relatively subtle with changes largely limited to the glassiness of the design elements, while a few like Clips and GarageBand have a bit more substantial changes.
iOS 18 icons
Perhaps notably, there is inconsistency across Apple's product pages. While every iPhone model page displays these new icons, all Mac product pages continue to show the current macOS versions of these app icons.
We are not expecting Mac hardware updates until later this year, or more likely early 2026, but with macOS Tahoe being released alongside iOS 26 on Monday, we should see the Liquid Glass app icons coming to Apple's App Store apps for Mac as well.
Apple this week stopped selling its 30W USB-C Power Adapter, despite its online store indicating that the charger is still included with the base 13-inch MacBook Air and the Apple Vision Pro. It is unclear why the adapter is no longer sold separately.
Apple released the 30W USB-C Power Adapter in 2018. It was priced at $39 in the U.S., before being removed from Apple's online store.
In related news, Apple released a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max this week, in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Perhaps this new 40W-60W charger is the successor to the 30W model.
The new charger can dynamically deliver up to 60W of power, despite having a smaller form factor. However, due to the thermal limitations that come with this compact design, the charger can only reach that 60W peak in shorter bursts.
Apple also sells a variety of other USB-C power adapters, including 20W, dual-port 35W (in two sizes), 70W, 96W, and 140W options.
iOS 26 adds a new Hearing Protection setting for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in some countries across Europe and the Middle East, such as Belgium, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.
Specifically, there is a new "EN 352 Protection" setting in these countries. When this setting is turned on, Apple's website says the Hearing Protection feature on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 complies with the European hearing protection standard EN 352, by limiting the maximum volume level of media playback to 82 dBA.
When a set of AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 are paired to an iPhone, this new setting can be turned on or off in the Settings app, by tapping on your AirPods, selecting Hearing Protection, and adjusting the "EN 352 Protection" toggle switch.
It is unclear if Apple was required to introduce this setting, or added it voluntarily.
iOS 26 will be released to the general public on Monday, September 15. AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, and launch on Friday, September 19.
With the overall Hearing Protection feature, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 can help protect your hearing in loud environments, by reducing your exposure to loud sounds.
The new setting was discovered by MacRumors contributors Aaron Perris and Steve Moser.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is now available for pre-order. The latest models feature just four changes over their predecessors–making them perhaps the smallest generational upgrade in the device's history. Here's everything that's new.
Apple's latest Apple Watch models bring a very small selection of specific improvements following last year's design refresh. This guide lists all of the differences between the Series 10 and Series 11 models to help you understand the changes.
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 11
Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)
2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)
LTE and UMTS (cellular models only)
LTE and 5G (cellular models only)
1.118–1.266 watt-hour battery
1.245–1.403 watt-hour battery (7–10% larger)
Silver aluminum option
Space Gray aluminum option
Somewhat surprisingly, there are no other differences between the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Series 11. Notably, for users interested in the titanium model, the only differences are a slightly larger battery and 5G connectivity.
And if you don't enable a cellular plan on your Apple Watch, the 5G connectivity is also a redundant upgrade. In fact, in some countries, the Apple Watch Series 11 is still limited to 4G connectivity. 5G is not listed as a supported feature for the new Apple Watch models in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and several other countries in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
Apple claims that the Apple Watch Series 11 offers 24 hours of battery life, touting it as a significant improvement over the Series 10's 18 hours. However, this marketing tactic has drawn scrutiny as closer examination of Apple's own testing data reveals that the increase from the Series 10's 18-hour rating is largely attributable to changes in testing methodology rather than a major hardware improvement.
Before the Series 11, the smallest generational upgrade arrived with the Series 5. It introduced the always-on Retina display, S5 chip, compass, and 32GB of storage. It also saw the removal of Force Touch and the reintroduction of the Apple Watch Edition. Even this generation-over-generation upgrade was considerably more substantial than the Series 11.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Normally our buyer's guides weigh up generational improvements and conclude that while most users should not upgrade every year, a minority of enthusiasts and power-users may be able to justify a purchase. With the Series 11, it is very clear that virtually no users should upgrade from a Series 10 – especially those with a titanium model, those who do not use cellular connectivity, and individuals in countries where the 5G upgrade isn't available.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models in the U.S. feature an antenna window on the top edge of the devices, for mmWave 5G signals to pass through.
The standard iPhone 17 does not appear to have the antenna window, while the iPhone Air does not support mmWave 5G, so it is not on that device either.
All of the iPhone 12 through iPhone 15 models are outfitted with this antenna window, made of glass. However, it was not present on any of the iPhone 16 models, which were the first devices to feature the Camera Control button on the bottom-right edge, where the mmWave 5G antenna window was previously located.
iPhone 17 Pro models have a new design with an aluminum unibody, but radio signals cannot pass through metal. The reintroduced antenna window, which likely remains made of glass or perhaps a tougher Ceramic Shield material, allows for mmWave 5G signals to better pass through the frame of the devices for cellular connectivity.
While all iPhones sold outside of the U.S. lack mmWave 5G support altogether, the antenna window is present on iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models sold in select other countries, such as Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. These are all countries where the devices are eSIM-only.
mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, which is ideal for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas.
Apple today disclosed its out-of-warranty repair fees for all of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models, ahead of the devices launching next week.
First and foremost, Apple's battery replacement fees did not increase for the latest iPhone models in the U.S., with Apple charging a flat $119 to replace the battery inside an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air. This is the same fee it has always charged to replace the battery in an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Overall, the latest repair fees are not very remarkable, but we do get a look at the costs for the all-new iPhone Air model with an ultra-thin design:
Cracked screen (front only): $329
Back glass damage: $159
Cracked screen and back glass damage: $419
Battery: $119
Rear camera: $169
Other damage: $699
Again, these are out-of-warranty repair fees. If your iPhone has AppleCare+ coverage, the repair fees range from $29 to $99 per incident for all models.
Apple is planning to release the AirPods Pro 3 next week, but MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera was able to get an early look at the new earbuds following Tuesday's keynote event. It's been a few years since the AirPods Pro were refreshed, so there are some useful upgrades to be aware of.
The AirPods Pro 3 have a new shape because Apple redesigned the part that goes in the ear. The difference is subtle, but noticeable when you have the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 side-by-side. The ear tips now have foam on the outside, which is supposed to better shut out ambient sound.
There were rumors that the AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case would get smaller, but that didn't happen. It's actually bigger than before, but it is a little less heavy. There's no button on the back, with Apple swapping to the same hidden capacitive button that's on the AirPods 4 case.
Audio quality is clearly better on the low end, with better balance. Active Noise Cancellation is also 2x better, though Dan wasn't able to test the AirPods long enough to definitively confirm Apple's claims.
Live Translation is available for in-person conversations, and it worked during a test with a Spanish speaking Apple employee. There are limited languages at launch, but Apple plans to add more over time. Heart rate tracking is also new, and now you don't even need an Apple Watch to keep track of your heart rate and calories burned when working out.
Dan was also able to check out the new Apple Watch models, but there's not a whole lot going on there visually. The Series 11 has a 5G chip, a more durable display, and improved battery life, but it's otherwise basically the same as the Series 10.
The Apple Watch SE didn't get an updated design, but it too has 5G and a faster S10 chip. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a bigger display thanks to slimmed down bezels, and it now supports satellite connectivity like the iPhone.
We'll have a more in-depth look at all of Apple's new devices starting next week, so make sure to stay tuned.
Apple is scheduled to release iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on Monday, September 15, bringing a host of new features to existing iPhones and iPads, such as a Liquid Glass design overhaul, new Home Screen customization options, a streamlined Camera app, new Phone app features, and more.
This article covers some of the things you can do to prepare your iPhone or iPad for Apple's latest mobile operating system, including storage maintenance tips, backup advice, and a few other useful tidbits to consider before upgrading. First though, you'll need to make sure your device is compatible with the new software.
Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 26?
iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. In other words, the following models are supported:
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iOS 26 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence. You can learn more about them here.
Note that iOS 26 will come pre-installed on new iPhone 17 models when they launch in September 2025.
Is My iPad Compatible With iPadOS 26?
iPadOS 26 supports the following iPad models:
iPad Pro (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (M2 and later)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (A16)
iPad (8th generation and later)
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)
This means the only iPad model that supports iPadOS 18, but not iPadOS 26, is the lower-cost iPad (7th generation).
Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iPadOS 26 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to devices that support Apple Intelligence: these include iPad models with M1 or later chips, and the 7th generation iPad mini with A17 Pro chip.
Reclaim Device Storage Space
Before you attempt to make the leap to iOS 26/iPadOS 26, you'll first want to make sure your device has adequate space to download and install the new operating system over the air.
With that in mind, it's worth looking at what apps you currently have installed on your devices and whether you really need them. Swipe through your home screen and check inside your folders to root out any long-forgotten apps that are taking up precious storage space.
You can delete apps by holding a finger on them and tapping the X that appears at the corner of their icon. Alternatively, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ iPhone/iPad Storage, tap any apps you don't use, and select Delete App. Note that this action can't be undone, but be ruthless – you can always re-install removed apps at a later date if you change your mind.
Check on the size of any social media or messaging apps you have installed, such as Facebook and WhatsApp. These apps can often balloon in size after long periods of activity because of chat history, media caching and the like, so you might want to delete and reinstall them to start afresh.
Also, be sure to heed any personal recommendations on the iPhone Storage screen, like keeping high-resolution photos in iCloud and smaller-size versions on your device, or letting iOS automatically offload any apps you don't use often.
Make an Archived Backup of Your Device on Mac
It's best practice to have a local backup of your device stored on your computer in case something goes awry, or the worst happens and installation of iOS 26 fails. If you need to downgrade shortly after installing a new iOS/iPadOS update, making an archived local backup beforehand is necessary, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to iOS 18/iPadOS 18 if things go wrong.
Plug your iPhone/iPad into your Mac using the supplied cable.
Allow the accessory to connect by clicking Allow in the dialog prompt.
Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.
If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.
Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.
In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your iPhone/iPad to this Mac.
If you want to encrypt the backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, then enter a password to protect your data.
If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now. When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button.
Lastly, archive the backup: Select Manage Backups ➝ Select Backup, then right-click the backup and choose Archive. This protects it from being overwritten by the next local backup or automatically deleted if your Mac is low on storage space.
Remember that this backup will not be overwritten when you manually or automatically back up your iPhone in the future, so you can restore it at any time by using the Restore Backup... option in the same Finder screen.
Make an Archived Backup of Your Device on Windows
The Apple Devices app is now the main tool for managing a connected iPhone on a Windows PC.
Plug the iPhone/iPad into your Windows PC. (You may also need to tap Trust on your Apple device.)
Go to the Apple Devices app on your PC, then select your Apple device in the sidebar.
Click General in the sidebar.
Use the bullets to select where to back up your data. (If you want to encrypt the data, select the Encrypt local backup option and set a password.)
Click Back Up Now.
After the backup is complete, select Manage Backups to see the backup file.
Right-click the backup you created and choose Archive. This extra step prevents the backup from being overwritten by the next local backup or automatically deleted if the computer runs low on storage space.
Installing iOS 26
When iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 become available on September 15 as an over-the-air update (likely around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, based on past releases), make sure your device is fully charged before you start the process over Wi-Fi, as it may take some time to complete.
To check that the update is available, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, and wait a moment for your device to contact Apple's servers. If you're in no rush, you can wait for iOS 26/iPadOS 26 to be delivered to your iPhone or iPad when you next plug it into your computer.
Apple's new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models are just $100 apart and excel in different areas, creating one of the most difficult buying decisions for customers in years.
Instead of the familiar split between standard and Pro models, Apple this year introduced the new iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is positioned as a design-focused iPhone with an ultra-thin, premium, and minimalist aesthetic, with trade-offs in terms of cameras, speakers, and battery life. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro is now more performance-focused than ever with vapor chamber cooling and a thicker frame that contains an even larger battery.
The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro share a brighter ProMotion display, the A19 Pro chip, 12GB of memory, a 48-megapixel Fusion main rear camera, an all-new front-facing camera with Center Stage, Ceramic Shield 2, and more. This guide offers a detailed look at every difference—dimensions, design, cameras, battery life, and pricing—so you can make an informed choice between the two devices.
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Height
6.15 inches (156.2 mm)
5.91 inches (150.0 mm)
6.43 inches (163.4 mm)
Width
2.94 inches (74.7 mm)
2.83 inches (71.9 mm)
3.07 inches (78.0 mm)
Depth
0.22 inches (5.64 mm)
0.34 inches (8.75 mm)
0.34 inches (8.75 mm)
Weight
5.82 ounces (165 grams)
7.27 ounces (206 grams)
8.22 ounces (233 grams)
The iPhone Air is dramatically thinner and lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro, but to achieve such a radical design Apple had to make some trade-offs with features.
Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Support for Apple MagSafe battery
USB-C (USB 2)
USB-C (USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers)
Mono speaker
Stereo speakers
Built-in mics
Studio-quality four-mic array
eSIM only
eSIM and physical SIM
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage iPhone 17 Pro Max: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
Available in Cloud White, Space Black, Sky Blue, and Light Gold
Available in Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange
At all storage tiers, the iPhone 17 Pro is just $100 more than the equivalent iPhone Air:
256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB
iPhone Air
$999
$1,199
$1,399
iPhone 17 Pro
$1,099
$1,299
$1,499
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$1,199
$1,399
$1,599
$1,999
Which One Should You Choose?
The iPhone Air is clearly the choice for those looking for a more minimal iPhone experience that prioritizes delivery of a lightweight and super-thin design. Due to this and its adoption of a polished titanium frame and a subtle color palette, it is also the most premium-looking iPhone available today. It's also the iPhone of choice for those looking for a display size that sits between the 6.3-inch Pro and the 6.9-inch Pro Max.
With its ProMotion display, A19 Pro chip, 12GB of memory, rear 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, an all-new front-facing camera with Center Stage, and Ceramic Shield 2, there are surprisingly few compromises. Nevertheless, the lack of additional rear cameras, stereo speakers, and better battery life may be a dealbreaker for some.
The iPhone Air is a whole new kind of iPhone, so those looking for a fresh experience should choose it over the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone Air also likely sets the stage for Apple's first foldable next year.
The iPhone 17 Pro, on the other hand, disregards a thin design and minimalism to offer as many features as possible. It should be the model of choice for those who need the most versatile camera system, best performance, and longest battery life.
Pre-orders of the new iPhone lineup are now open, with launch on Friday, September 19.
Many of the improvements will bring the Powerbeats Pro 2 in line with the new AirPods Pro 3, which also feature heart rate monitoring.
Starting with iOS 26, the Powerbeats Pro 2's heart rate monitoring feature will work with Apple's Fitness app on the iPhone, according to a Beats spokesperson. With the earbuds, you will be able to track your heart rate and calories burned across 50 different workout types in the Fitness app, with no Apple Watch required for this.
Apple Fitness+ subscribers with Powerbeats Pro 2 will be able to view real-time performance metrics directly on their iPhone, such as heart rate, calories burned, and the Burn Bar, without wearing an Apple Watch.
Here are more improvements coming to Powerbeats Pro 2 with iOS 26, according to Beats:
A single Powerbeats Pro 2 earbud can be used for heart rate monitoring during workouts.
Powerbeats Pro 2 count steps taken when your iPhone is not on you.
Powerbeats Pro 2 and Apple Watch can simultaneously provide heart rate data.
Siri Interactions on Powerbeats Pro 2 will let you nod your head yes, or shake your head no, when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more.
A new algorithm offers faster heart rate reading.
A notification will prompt you to potentially improve the fit of your Powerbeats Pro 2 to improve heart rate reading.
The latter two improvements will extend to Android.
iOS 26 will be released on Monday, September 15, and a corresponding Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware update with these enhancements will likely be released on the same day. Both the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are regularly priced at $249, with the former offering a more fitness-focused design with earhooks for a secure fit.
The iPhone 17 is finally here. On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of Apple's "awe-dropping" announcements this week, including the iPhone 17 lineup, new Apple Watch models, AirPods Pro 3, and more.
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 were introduced with significant hardware upgrades, including enhanced active noise cancellation, a built-in heart rate monitor, improved sound processing, and foam ear tips. In addition, Apple previewed a new Live Translation feature also coming to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.
The Apple Watch lineup received a refresh, with the Series 11 touting stronger front glass, 5G connectivity, and better battery life. The Apple Watch SE 3 now includes an always-on display and fast charging, while the Ultra 3 gains a new display and satellite connectivity. Apple also introduced hypertension detection and a new sleep scoring feature, which are available on older models.
The iPhone 17 gains a 6.3-inch display, now with ProMotion for the first time in a non-Pro model, and the A19 chip. It features the same new 18-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage and a square sensor introduced across the lineup.
Apple introduced the iPhone Air as its thinnest iPhone yet with a radical new design. It includes a polished titanium frame, the A19 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, a faster and more efficient C1X 5G modem, a single rear camera, and a 6.5-inch display with ProMotion, but loses out on a physical SIM card slot and stereo speakers.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were unveiled with a new design that abandons titanium in favor of an aluminum unibody structure, with a new full-width camera plateau and vapor chamber cooling. There is now a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical zoom options. Both devices include larger batteries that deliver over six hours more battery life than their predecessors, with storage starting at 256GB and reaching a new 2TB maximum on the Pro Max.
There were also a range of new accessories, including TechWoven cases for the Pro models, a crossbody strap, and a bumper case and MagSafe battery for the iPhone Air. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our final expectations for Apple's event to see what we got right and wrong, along with a bonus interview with director Kayci Lacob about her new Steve Jobs-focused movie, "Everything to Me."
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FCC document showing Wi-Fi specs for iPhone 17 Pro Max
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