Apple has announced the iPhone 17 during the ‘Awe dropping’ event. With a Center Stage front camera for better selfies, an improved rear camera and a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, the latest iPhone is a significant step up from the iPhone 16. Unlike previous years when the entry-level iPhone was equipped with a previous generation system chip, the iPhone 17 gets the latest-generation A19 chip.
One of the criticisms some people level at the iPhone (and smartphones in general) is their durability. Apple has toughened the front of the iPhone 17 with the new Ceramic Shield 2. The company says this is tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic, with 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.
Entry level storage gets a boost as well with the 128GB option dropped. 256GB is the new entry point with 512GB now an option.
The iPhone 17 comes in five colours: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.
Front camera is massively improved
The iPhone 17’s new Center Stage front camera features the first square front camera sensor on iPhone with a wider field of view and higher resolution, up to 18MP for photos. Landscape selfies no longer require having to hold the iPhone awkwardly as the front camera can take landscape photos even when the phone is held vertically. Centre Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame.
The Center Stage front camera enables ultra-stabilised video in 4K HDR and users can now record on the front and rear cameras simultaneously with Dual Capture so you can shoot a selfie and everything around you at the same time. During calls over FaceTime or third-party apps, Centre Stage for video calls keeps users stable and positioned in frame.
The iPhone 17 rear camera gets upgraded tech
Both rear cameras on the iPhone 17 now capture images in 48MP. The 48MP Fusion Main camera has an integrated optical-quality 2x Telephoto. The new 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera captures up to 4x the resolution compared to the previous generation. Next-generation Photographic Styles help users customise their photos by adjusting colour, highlights, and shadows in real time with a better understanding of skin tones, and a new Bright style will be available with iOS 26 to brighten skin tones and apply a pop of vibrance across the image.
The iPhone 17 can record video in 4K60 fps Dolby Vision with features such as Cinematic mode and Action mode. Video is captured with Spatial Audio for immersive listening and Audio Mix lets users adjust sound after capture to boost voices and reduce ambient noise; and wind noise reduction minimises unwanted noise.
iPhone 17 can also take spatial photos and videos to help users relive memories with remarkable depth on Apple Vision Pro.
Premium display comes to the entry level
The 6.3-inch display on the iPhone 17 has thinner borders than the previous generation and a Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion. ProMotion dynamically adapts the refresh rate, to up to 120Hz, depending on how the phone is being used, balancing the need for a faster refresh rate with energy efficiency.
The Always-On display shows the time, widgets, and Live Activities at a glance, and when not in use, the display efficiently adjusts down to 1Hz. Peak outdoor brightness is 3000 nits peak outdoor brightness, the highest ever on iPhone, with 2x better outdoor contrast.
A19: Next-level performance and all-day battery life
As is Apple’s tradition, it compares performance of the A19 chip with a chip that is several generations behind in order to make its numbers look better. In this case, Apple says the 6-core CPU is 1.5x faster than the A15 Bionic chip in iPhone 13, and the 5-core GPU is more than twice as fast than A15 Bionic.
Apple says the efficiency of A19 and the advanced power management of iOS 26 deliver all-day battery life, and with ProMotion, iPhone 17 gets up to 30 hours of video playback — eight more hours than the previous generation. The new Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 also gets to know a user’s typical battery consumption and anticipates when they might run low, intelligently conserving power to help get them through the day.
Another new chip from Apple – the N1
The N1 is a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. In addition to the latest generation of wireless technologies, N1 improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
New accessories
After the debacle of the FineWoven cases which we’re found to be not nearly as durable as the market demanded, Apple has announced the iPhone 17 Clear Case with MagSafe and a Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available in black, neon yellow, light moss, anchor blue, and purple fog.
The Silicone Case with MagSafe can be paired with the new Crossbody Strap, giving users a hands-free way to wear iPhone. Made from 100 per cent recycled yarns, the strap drapes comfortably, with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms to easily adjust the length and keep both straps securely aligned. The Crossbody Strap will be available in 10 colours: black, light grey, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.
Pricing and availability for the iPhone 17 and accessories
iPhone 17 will be available in lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities. iPhone 17 starts at RRP A$1,399 inc. GST.
Pre-orders for iPhone 17 begin at 10pm AEST on 12 September 2025 with availability beginning Friday, 19 September.
The iPhone 17 Clear Case will retail for A$79 inc. GST, a Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available for RRP A$79 inc. GST and a Crossbody Strap will be available for RRP A$99 inc. GST.
FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe will be available for RRP A$99 inc. GST in black, navy, midnight, purple, fox orange, and moss.
The Qi2 25W-certified MagSafe Charger will be available in a 1-metre length for RRP A$69 inc. GST or a 2-metre length for RRP A$89 inc. GST.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.