Apple reveals the new iPhone 17 line-up – here’s everything you need to know

The latest iPhone device is going to knock your socks off – and selfie skills! (Picture: Metro/Apple/Getty)

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Tech giant Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 line-up this week, with four models making their debut, including the iPhone Air, the thinnest smartphone Apple’s ever made. 

All four phones: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air, boast longer battery life, better cameras and more storage, along with a host of other improvements. 

The new models also come with the new A19 chip to power Apple’s AI features and look sleeker, faster and smarter than ever but surprisingly, it’s not the skinny iPhone Air that’s got everyone talking, it’s the iPhone 17 Pro.

Available as 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, costing from £1,099 and £1,199 respectively, the latest Pro models pack in Apple’s most advanced features yet setting them apart from the rest of the iPhone 17 line-up.

What’s the buzz about, then? Well, here’s five of the biggest changes Apple has made to the new Pro models that we’re seriously impressed with. 

The new A19 Chip

It might sound like tech genius speak but simply put, the new A19 chip acts like the iPhone’s brain. It’s Apple’s most powerful processor yet meaning your phone is able to take on even the most demanding tasks with ease.

It also makes the Pro compatible with Apple’s AI features so users can ask their phone to do lots of tasks like reply to emails and retouch photos, all while staying fast and efficient. 

Just when we loved the 16, here comes the 17! (Picture: Metro/Apple)

Aluminium Unibody design

Apple has moved away from the titanium frame used on the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro (but still found on the new iPhone Air) and introduced a new aluminium unibody design for both Pro models. 

It means improved durability and, according to Apple, improved thermal performance by helping the phone manage heat more efficiently. 

Inside the Pros is also a vapour chamber where sealed water works to move heat away from the A19 chip, so your phone won’t overheat as easily – cool, huh? 

Improved battery life

Sick of charging your phone every couple of hours? Apple claims the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers up to 37 hours of video playback – the longest battery life ever offered on an iPhone. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro is rated for 31 hours, the standard iPhone 17 for 30 hours, and the slim iPhone Air for 27 hours.

According to Apple, the improvement is thanks to the unibody aluminium design, which allows for a larger battery, combined with the efficiency of the new A19 Pro chip and the advanced power management features in iOS 26.

Both Pro models also support fast charging, reaching up to 50% charge in just 20 minutes when using a high-wattage USB-C adapter. 

Wow! Now that’s an impressive piece of kit! (Picture: Metro/Apple)

Better camera quality

The iPhone 17 Pro’s main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses all get bumped to 48MP, with Apple calling it like having ‘eight pro lenses in your pocket.’

However, not everything is a clear improvement. The telephoto lens now offers 4x optical zoom, a slight step down from the 5x optical zoom found in the iPhone 16 Pro. While Apple promotes the 17 Pro as offering “optical-quality” 8x zoom, this is achieved through digital cropping beyond the 4x range, rather than true optical zoom.

The new front camera is also seeing upgrades and now features a square sensor, letting you switch between portrait and landscape without turning the phone making it perfect for selfies and videos.

Plus, Centre Stage smart tracking now works on the iPhone, keeping you centred during FaceTime calls just like on iPads and Macs.

Brighter, clearer screen

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, now protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims offers 3x better scratch resistance than before.

Both screens also feature a new anti-reflective coating to help cut down on glare which should make the display easier to see in bright light.

Whether you’re due an upgrade or simply want the best iPhone Apple has ever made, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max really deliver.

Pre-orders open on the 12 September and hitting stores from 19 September, these models are expected to be in high demand. So, if you want cutting-edge tech with a premium feel, this is the iPhone to get.

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