A “Camera Plateau” for the Pro models, an all-new ultra-thin “Air” model, and advanced features powered by Apple Intelligence.
It’s that time of the year again: Apple has just launched its next-generation of flagship phones, the iPhone 17 series, that pack a slew of neat upgrades and a brand-new model called “Air.”
As expected from predictions and leaks The POST reported earlier, the new lineup features an entirely new camera layout for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Then there’s the all-new iPhone 17 Air which the company announced after ditching the less-popular “Plus” model. Like the lineup’s premium models, the iPhone 17 Air features a new look and is the thinnest phone Apple has ever made.
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The changes on the standard iPhone 17, on the other hand, isn’t as radical but still worth taking note of if you’re planning to upgrade your device this year. Apple announced the new devices alongside new Apple watches—Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE—and the refreshed AirPods Pro 3 during its “Awe Dropping” event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California today, Sept. 10 (Manila time).
If you’re planning to get your hands on the newest iPhone, or just plain curious, read on for the features coming with Apple’s most advanced handset by far.
Related story: iPhone 17 and what else to expect from Apple’s ‘awe dropping’ event on Sept. 10
iPhone 17
Photo from Apple
First up, the iPhone 17, is a “fantastic choice for customers looking for the latest features and the confidence in knowing their iPhone is built to last,” according to Kaiann Drance, Apple’s VP of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.
Like its predecessor, the standard iPhone 17 features a rounded-edge design and an aluminium frame designed to be lightweight, thermally conductive, and maximizes performance. With the new model, Apple introduced a new Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back, which has “3x better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare.”
It also sports a larger, 6.3-inch Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology of up to 120Hz and 3000 nits peak brightness—the highest ever on iPhone—that makes it easier to use even under direct sunlight.
Those eyeing this new phone can expect to capture sharper images with its 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 2x optical-quality telephoto, which is paired with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera with 4x the resolution of the equivalent camera type on iPhone 16. What’s more, Apple designed Ultra Wide photos to be 24MP by default, which it said is the “perfect file size for high‑quality storing and sharing.” The robust camera system is paired with an all-new 18MP Center Stage camera, which allows users to switch from landscape to portrait view, or vice versa, without having to move their phone.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 is built with a A19 chip that boasts six CPU cores that “delivers powerful performance, efficiency, and a huge boost in speed.” Its 5-core GPU, in addition, delivers twice the speed of the A15 Bionic chip, making it ideal for next-level mobile gaming. The beefy processor is boosted by a 3,692mAh battery, which Apple built to last all day and deliver up to 30 hours of video playback—eight more hours than the iPhone 16.
Like each phone in the iPhone 17 series, the standard model runs iOS 26, which comes with a new “Liquid Glass” design, new features including live translation and Apple Games that are powered by Apple Intelligence, plus improved security and privacy controls like its new Call Screening feature.
iPhone 17 will now be available starting with 256GB of storage — double the entry storage from the previous generation — and a 512GB option, in five colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.
iPhone 17 Air
Meet the thinnest iPhone ever made—the iPhone 17 Air. It debuted as the newest member of the iPhone family after Apple decided to discontinue the Plus models reportedly due to low sales. It features a breakthrough design with a built that’s 5.6mm thin, made durable with a grade 5 titanium frame boosted by Ceramic Shield. The thin design also features the Action button, so users can easily access a variety of functions with just a press, and Camera Control, to quickly launch the camera or enable visual intelligence
The front boasts a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR Display which, like the standard iPhone 17, has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz and peak brightness of 3000 nits for smooth scrolling and stunning graphics wherever, whenever. It is likewise protected by Ceramic Shield2 with 3x scratch resistance.
At the back, there is a single 48MP Fusion Main camera which, according to Apple, acts like four lenses in one. This is coupled by an 18MP Centre Stage front camera equipped with 2x optical-quality telephoto technology for next-level selfies.
The device is powered by a more robust set of chip—the A19 Pro, N1, and C1X—which, according to the tech giant, makes it one of the most power-efficient iPhones ever made. Its performance is further boosted with all-day battery life from its 3,036mAh power cell. The device is rolling out in four finishes: Space Black, Cloud White, light gold, and sky blue.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
As with every iPhone launch, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max with “the best-ever performance, camera systems, and battery life in an iPhone.” This year, the tech giant aimed to “redefine the Pro,” and today’s launch shows that they delivered. The first thing that you’ll notice about the two models is the redesigned camera bump at the back, which Apple now calls the “Camera Plateau.” For the first time ever, the iPhone’s Pro models come with a long, horizontal camera bar at the back that spans the phones’ width, unlike previous models that have a square-shaped module.
The larger camera island houses sensors that are also bigger, both in size and resolution, than the phone’s predecessors. It now packs a trio of 48MP telephoto, ultrawide, and main cameras that promises more detailed photographs, especially with its new 4X optical zoom. While it’s technically a downgrade from the 5X optical zoom on prior models, Apple says the new camera system can achieve 8X optical-like zoom and up to 40X digital zoom.
The main camera’s sensor is also 56% larger than before, enabling users to capture brighter and sharper images even in low-light scenarios. What’s more, the iPhone 17 Pro models can now shoot in ProRes RAW, which is especially useful for filmmakers. And like the rest of the lineup, the Pro models are also equipped with a square-shaped 18MP Centre Stage camera.
These phones are powered by an A19 Pro Chip that, unlike the iPhone 17 Air, has one extra GPU core for faster performance. This is boosted by a longer battery life of up to four more hours on full charge compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Coming in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max features an aluminium frame instead of yesteryear’s titanium build. Aluminum, according to CNET, is cheaper, lighter, and has a better carbon footprint. The front, like the rest the phones in the lineup, is protected by Ceramic Shield2 for 3X better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are available in three new finishes: deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver.
Prices and availability
If you’re thinking to upgrade to the latest iPhone, prepare to spend at least P57,990 for the standard iPhone 17 model and at least P72,990 for the all-new iPhone 17 Air. Meanwhile the iPhone 17 Pro will retail starting at P79,990, while the Pro Max will roll out with a price tag of at least P86,990. Power Mac, the official distributor of Apple products in the Philippines, has yet to announce the lineup’s availability in the country.
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