Each generation of iPhone introduces new technology. Some of those changes are predictable. Each year, we see a new processor that offers faster performance. The camera tech is improved with better hardware and software. And this year, Apple made changes to how it assembles the 2025 iPhones.
A boost to minimum storage
Apple has increased the minimum storage for the entire range of new iPhones from 128GB to 256GB.
This is a welcome change. Apple Intelligence uses about 7GB of space. That boost is definitely needed as iOS consumes another 10-15GB.
The 2025 iPhones introduced several new chips
The iPhone 17 debuted the new A19 Pro system chip. This has a 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a 5‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators and 16‑core Neural Engine.
The iPhone 17 Pro gets the new A19 Pro with a 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 6‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators and 16‑core Neural Engine.
The iPhone Air also gets a new A19 Pro with a 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 5‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators and 16‑core Neural Engine.
The new iPhone Air get a new C1X modem. This is an update to the C1 Modem Apple introduced in February 2025, for cellular communications. It performs at least as well as the previous modems that Apple sourced from a third party.
According to a report about a teardown of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the other iPhones are equipped with a Snapdragon X80 5G modem.
Apple also debuted an all-new N1 chip that delivers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread wireless networking.
The investment Apple has made in Apple Silicon gives Apple significant benefits over competitors. It can optimise how each piece works with the others to maximise efficiency. And, as it has greater control over the design, it can reduce its costs.
Teardowns of various iPhones are already appearing. REWA Technologies has published one on YouTube.
Designed for a longer life
Apple’s internal and external design reflects a need for longer-lasting devices.
The iPhone Air is super thin. And while thinner usually equates with harder to repair, Apple has managed to pack most of the key components into the rear plateau. This should make battery replacements easier.
The fronts of all three new iPhones are coated with Ceramic Shield 2. Apple says this will minimise surface scratches and be more resilient to drops. The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro have the same coating on the back as well.
iPhone battery specs
Apple has published battery specifications for regulatory approval in the EU.
iFixIt’s has conducted some analysis that compares the battery life of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro. Here’s what Apple says:
| iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 17 | |
| Battery capacity | 3149 mAh | 4252 mAh | 5088 mAh | 3692 mAh |
| Display size | 6.5-inch | 6.5-inch | 6.9-inch | 6.3-inch |
| Rated battery life | 27 hours | 31 hours | 37 hours | 30 hours |
Although the iPhone Air has almost 25% less battery capacity, battery life is only 20% lower. A battery thatl needs to be charged more often may have a decreased life.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the largest battery and offers the longest rated battery life by a significant margin.
The 2025 iPhone camera range
DPReview has looked at the 2025 iPhone camera sensors.
The 2025 iPhones, the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro have different numbers of camera lenses.
- The iPhone Air has a single wide-angle camera.
- The iPhone 17 has the same camera but adds an ultra-wide camera.
- The iPhone 17 Pro adds an additional telephoto camera for more range and flexibility.
The key things to note are
- The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have the same camera technologies. This is a change from some past iPhone Pro Max models where the camera tech different between the regular and plus-sized models.
- The iPhone Air’s single camera performs the same as the iPhone 17 main camera. The iPhone 17 offers more options through its second lens.
- The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max offer more zoom options through their third camera and larger sensors.
All three new iPhones have the same front camera with higher resolution than previous models and a square sensor.
Vapour chamber cooling
As processors have become smaller, the amount of heat they generate has increased. To counter this, Apple has introduced vapour chamber cooling to keep the iPhone 17 Pro cool.
Vapour chamber cooling uses sealed container filled with a small amount of liquid. The liquid evaporates when it gets hot. Heat in the vapour is transferred to the body of the sealed chamber and out through the device’s outer casing.
All the new iPhones get the same display technology
The iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 all get Apple’s Super Retina XDR display. Each new models has a different screen size and resolution.
| Size | Resolution | |
| iPhone 17 | 6.3-inch | 2622 x 1206 at 460 ppi |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 6.3-inch | 2622 x 1206 at 460 ppi |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.9-inch | 2868 x 1320 at 460 ppi |
| iPhone Air | 6.5-inch | 2736 x 1260 at 460 ppi |
In the past, Apple only offered its best display technology in its Pro range. This year, every new iPhone gets the same display technology. That includes ProMotion. This enables a refresh rate of up to 120Hz which can be throttled back to conserve power when a fast refresh rate is not needed.
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.