The iPhone 17 is less than a month away, and early rumors are already stirring excitement. It may be Apple’s basic model, but it’s still expected to get a better, larger screen, enhanced selfie camera, as well as a faster processor and a new range of color options.
Those interested in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max should read our roundup of rumors describing those premium models. And we have an iPhone 17 Air rumor roundup, too. Plus one for the budget iPhone 17e.
Don’t wait: Get your iPhone 17 rumors now
The big official reveal for Apple’s new iOS models will reportedly come September 8. But there’s no reason to wait until then. iPhone 17 rumors point to multiple improvements to the screen, bringing it more into parity with the Pro models. There’ll be a faster chip , which should help running the AI-powered Apple Intelligence features expected in the next year. And did we mention colors? So many colors.
Here’s what to expect next month.
Table of contents: iPhone 17 rumors
- Larger ProMotion screen
- 2X better selfie camera
- iPhone 17 rumors include new color options
- Apple A19 processor, RAM and iOS 26
- iPhone 17 rumors: Price and release day
Larger ProMotion screen
Current Apple Pro handsets have 120Hz, ProMotion displays, but other models do not. That might be about to change, with the basic model going Pro Motion, also. But a conflicting rumor indicates that while the basic iPhone 17 will have a 120Hz display, this will lack the full ProMotion technology that brings adaptive refresh capabilities. If true, that means it won‘t be an “always on” screen.
Still, the display is expected to grow to 6.3 inches, up from the 6.1-inch LCD in the iPhone 16. This will supposedly come about thanks to slimmer bezels.
2X better selfie camera
Apple will reportedly put 24MP selfie cameras across its entire iPhone 17 lineup. Expect sharper selfies, better cropping flexibility, and improved image quality overall.
However, big changes are not expected to the rear-facing camera on the basic iPhone 17. But at least that means it’ll escape the extra-wide camera bar supposedly coming to the two Pro models.
With the basic model allegedly staying with the small camera hump, and its larger screen coming about by shrinking the current bezels, there’ll be few visible changes to the exterior of the handset. That’s what the new color options are for. Speaking of which…
iPhone 17 rumors include new color options
As useful as iPhones are, they’re also a fashion statement. That’s why Apple makes them in so many colors. The iPhone 17 will supposedly include more options than before. The list includes: steel gray, green, purple, and light blue, plus black and white (of course).
This will be more colors than the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will be available in.
Apple A19 processor, RAM and iOS 26
The 2025 iOS handsets are expected to run on an Apple A19 processor, a jump up from the A18 in the 2024 handsets. Early reports indicate it’s made by Apple’s chip partner TSMC with a third-generation 3 nm process, and should bring a 15% to 20% performance improvement, and an approximately 25% improvement in graphics performance. At the same time, it’s rumored to be 15% to 30% more energy efficient.
That said, the version of the chip going into the basic iPhone 17 is rumored to have five GPU cores, not the six cores that’ll go into the Pro variants. Also, the basic model will supposedly include 8GB RAM, while pricier versions will include 12GB.
Apple’s newest handsets will, of course, usher in a new iOS version. iOS 26 marks a major evolution of Apple’s mobile operating system, distinguished by its striking Liquid Glass design — a translucent, fluid aesthetic that brings expressive, glass-like refractions to the Unlock screen, Control Center, and more.
Plus, Apple redesigned the Camera app and the Phone app. And there’s a new Games app. In addition, iOS 26 also brings in new AI features such as live translations in a variety of applications.
iPhone 17 rumors: Price and release day
To pay for tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the price of some of the iPhone 17 models might go up, but the basic iPhone 17 supposedly isn’t one of them. It’s expected to stay at $799.
With the big reveal allegedly happening at an event on September 8, Apple will begin taking preorders for the models in the iPhone 17 on Friday, September 12. And the new handset reportedly will begin reaching customers’ hands on Friday, September 19.
Until the launch, expect this article to be updated with the latest iPhone 17 rumors as they emerge.
