iPhone 17 & 17 Pro Max Review 2025: Release Date, Price, Design, Colour & Camera.

The iPhone 17 series, which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, will be released in September 2025. However, based on speculations and leaks from multiple sources, here’s an in-depth look at the devices’ planned release date, iOS version, and camera specifications. All information is theoretical and based on unsubstantiated reports, as Apple has not officially disclosed these details.

Release Date

Expected Announcement: The iPhone 17 series is expected to be released in September 2025, following Apple’s usual launch timetable for flagship iPhones. Most sources predict an announcement in the first or second week of September, presumably between September 8 and 10, 2025, with pre-orders beginning immediately after and devices hitting shops around September 19-20, 2025.

IPhone 17 pro max 

iOS

Operating System: The iPhone 17 series is scheduled to be released with iOS 26, which was showcased at WWDC 2025. iOS 26 debuts a “Liquid Glass” design, regarded as Apple’s most major visual redesign in a decade, along with an optional “Clear Look” transparent style. The key features include:

• A streamlined Camera app with photo and video modes by default for simplicity.

• Call Screening to combat telemarketers and Live Translate for calls, potentially useful for travel.
• Polls in group chats and custom backgrounds for Messages.
• Enhanced Apple Intelligence features, such as Visual Intelligence for screen content search, though major Siri improvements may not arrive until 2026.
  
  

Compatibility: iOS 26 is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models, meaning older devices like the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR will not receive this update but will continue to get security patches.

Camera

The iPhone 17 series is expected to include major camera advancements, especially for the Pro models, with some improvements extending to the regular model. This is a breakdown based on leaks.

iPhone 17

• Front Camera: The front-facing camera is expected to be 24-megapixels with a six-element lens, double the resolution of the 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera used in the iPhone 16 series. This upgrade should enhance selfie quality, low-light performance, and cropping options.
• Rear Camera: Likely to keep the dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel primary (Wide) sensor and a 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide camera, similar to the iPhone 16. The 5x telephoto zoom is believed to be unique to Pro models.
  
  
• Design: The basic iPhone 17 is not likely to feature the new camera bump design rumored for the Pro models and iPhone 17 Air, instead keeping with a vertical, pill-shaped camera configuration similar to the iPhone 16.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

Front Camera: Both Pro variants, like the normal model, are expected to have a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, which is a major advance from prior generations’ 12-megapixel TrueDepth cameras. This should improve selfie quality and video-call performance.

• Rear Camera:
  
  
  • Configuration: Both models are expected to use a triple-camera system with 48-megapixel lenses: primary (wide), ultra-wide, and telephoto. This is a significant improvement over the 12-megapixel Telephoto lens in the iPhone 16 Pro versions.
  • Telephoto: The 48-megapixel Tetraprism Telephoto lens is expected to provide 5x optical zoom (up to 35x hybrid zoom via in-sensor cropping) and better low-light performance. The main camera could feature a bigger 1/1.14″ IMX903 sensor with a stacked architecture, 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion, and Digital Gain Control to improve dynamic range and reduce noise.
    
    
  • New Features:
    
    
    • Dual Video Recording: A native feature that allows for simultaneous filming with both front and rear cameras, making it ideal for vloggers and other video creators. This was previously only available via third-party apps such as DoubleTake.
    • 8K Video Recording: The all-48-megapixel rear camera system may support 8K video recording, a first for iPhones, and was tested but not deployed on the iPhone 16 Pro versions.
      
      
      

Design: The Pro models are rumored to include a new rectangular camera hump that runs the width of the phone, with rounded corners and a triangular lens configuration. The flash, microphone, and LiDAR sensor will all be located to the right of the camera bar. This design, similar to Google’s Pixel phones, has elicited mixed comments, with some describing it as a departure from Apple’s style.

Additional Notes

• Design Changes:
  
  
  
  • The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max may convert from a titanium frame to an aluminum frame with a glass-and-aluminum back for increased durability and wireless charging capabilities. A new Sky Blue color option is rumored, inspired by the most recent MacBook Air.
    
    
  • The iPhone 17 Pro Max could be somewhat thicker (8.75mm vs. 8.25mm for the iPhone 16 Pro Max) to allow a larger battery, possibly 4,700 mAh.

• Performance: The iPhone 17 is believed to use an A19 chip, while the Pro models will have the A19 Pro chip, which is constructed on TSMC’s 3nm process for small performance and efficiency advantages. The Pro versions may contain 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB in the iPhone 16 series), with others questioning if this pertains to both Pro models or just the Pro Max.
  
  
• Display: All versions are likely to have 120Hz ProMotion displays, which is a first for non-Pro models like the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro will feature 6.3-inch displays, while the Pro Max will keep its 6.9-inch display. A smaller Dynamic Island is said to use a “metalens” for facial recognition.
  
  

Price Concerns: Analysts predict a price increase due to rising production costs and likely taxes, with the iPhone 17 Pro starting at $1,099-$1,199 (up from $999) and the Pro Max potentially reaching $1,649 in select areas, such as India.

Lack of Reviews

There are no hands-on reviews for the iPhone 17 series because it has yet to be released. Current information is derived from leaks, dummy units, and analyst reports, which are subject to change. Some sources are skeptical about the design, particularly the camera bump on the Pro versions, with comparisons to Google’s Pixel series generating criticism for lacking Apple’s distinctive look. Others see the camera enhancements as a big advancement for photographers and videographers.

Conclusion

The iPhone 17 series, which is anticipated in September 2025, promises significant improvements, particularly in camera technology, with the Pro models potentially including three 48-megapixel rear cameras, 8K video, and dual video recording. iOS 26 will include a new design and useful features such as Call Screening. However, the revised camera bump and probable price increases have elicited mixed responses. Wait for Apple’s official announcement for the most up-to-date information, as leaks may not accurately represent the final product.