Apple’s 2025 iPhone family is live for preorder, and yes — there’s a lot to unpack. The new lineup (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and the ultraslim iPhone Air) will land in customers’ hands on Friday, September 19 — preorders opened this week — and ordering now is the surest way to be among the first to get one.
If you’re the sort of person who wants to skim for the essentials, prices start at $799 (iPhone 17), $1,099 (17 Pro), $1,199 (17 Pro Max) and $999 (iPhone Air), and every model now begins at 256GB of storage out of the gate. You can preorder directly from Apple or from major retailers like Best Buy; carrier offers and trade-in promos are available too (more on those below).
What’s actually different this year
Apple pushed a few things forward that matter in day-to-day use: ProMotion 120Hz displays have spread across the lineup, Apple’s new A19 and A19 Pro chips power the phones, the front-facing camera got a notable upgrade with an 18-MP “Center Stage” sensor, and Apple redesigned the Pro models’ rear into a wide “plateau” that holds three 48-MP Fusion cameras — a change that freed up internal space for bigger batteries. The iPhone Air is the headline grabber on design: at 5.6mm it’s Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, and Apple says it still manages “all-day” battery life.
Related /
- Apple unveils iPhone 17 with bigger 6.3-inch 120Hz display and no Plus model
- Apple unveils iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm
- iPhone 17 Pro debuts with full‑width camera plateau and massive battery
- All new iPhones now feature Center Stage selfie cameras
- Apple’s new MagSafe battery works only with the iPhone Air
- Apple’s new iPhone Air case lineup includes translucent, bumper, and TechWoven
A quick tour of each model (so you can choose)
iPhone Air — the thin one
If you liked the rumors about an “Air” iPhone, this is it. The Air is astonishingly slim at 5.6mm and weighs about 165g, but it still packs a 6.5-inch ProMotion 120Hz OLED and an A19 Pro. It keeps a single 48-MP fusion main camera and an 18-MP Center Stage selfie camera. Apple claims up to 27 hours of video playback on a charge, and the runtime can be extended with an optional $99 MagSafe battery accessory. Preorders: Apple and Best Buy. Price: starts at $999 (256GB).
iPhone 17 — the value pick
Apple quietly repositioned the base iPhone as a stronger value this year. The 17 borrows the Pro’s 6.3-inch 120Hz panel, runs on the A19, and packs dual 48-MP fusion rear cameras plus that upgraded 18-MP Center Stage front cam. It comes in five colors (black, lavender, mist blue, sage and white) and starts at $799 (256GB). If you’re upgrading from a phone a few generations old, this one is an obvious pick. Preorders are live at Apple and Best Buy.
iPhone 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max — the big hitters
The Pro pair is where Apple made its boldest physical and thermal tradeoffs: Apple swapped the recent titanium frame for a forged aluminum unibody (Apple says this helps sustained performance and thermal dissipation) and introduced a full-width “camera plateau” that gives room for larger internals and the triple 48-MP Fusion cameras (including a much improved telephoto; Apple advertises up to 8× equivalent zoom modes depending on model). The Pro models run the A19 Pro with vapor-chamber cooling in the chassis and — Apple says — the best battery life ever in an iPhone for the Pro Max. The 17 Pro starts at $1,099, the 17 Pro Max at $1,199, and for the first time, Apple sells a 2TB 17 Pro Max for $1,999.
Preordering the iPhone 17 Pro Max now secures the best battery life iPhone has ever offered with options up to 2TB storage and new color finishes.
Carrier deals
Carrier promos can make the new phones look effectively free, but read the fine print. Most of these offers are structured as monthly bill credits spread over 24–36 months and require an eligible trade-in plus a qualifying plan or new line:
- Verizon: up to roughly $1,099–$1,100 back on qualifying trade-ins applied over 36 months on select unlimited plans, with other bundling incentives.
- T-Mobile: “iPhone on us” style promotions offer up to $1,100 in 24 monthly bill credits with trade-in and qualifying service; there are also switcher credits with no trade-in required in certain promos.
- AT&T: up to $1,100 in bill credits for Pro models and up to $830 for base models/Air, again tied to trade-ins and a qualifying postpaid unlimited plan.
Takeaway: carrier credits are real money, but they usually require you to keep service for the length of the credit schedule and to actually trade in your old device (or meet other conditions). If you cancel service early, the remaining credits may vanish. Read the terms before you sign.
A few pre-order tips (because launch days are messy)
- If you want an unlocked model to keep your options open, buy direct from Apple.
- If using a carrier promo, check the exact trade-in values (and whether your phone must be in working condition).
- Expect shipping estimates to slip if demand is high — preordering early increases your odds of an earlier delivery window.
- If you live outside the U.S., check local Apple pages and major authorized resellers — launch timing and availability can vary by market.
One more important note about the Air (and regions)
Apple’s iPhone Air is the design conversation starter of the year, but it isn’t available everywhere immediately: Apple temporarily removed the Air preorder link from China and delayed its launch there while it works with regulators on eSIM and other compliance matters, according to reporting — so availability can be region-specific. If you’re ordering from abroad, double-check local Apple channels.
Disclaimer: Prices and promotions mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change based on the retailers’ discretion. Please verify the current offer before making a purchase.
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