iPhone 17 Cheat Sheet: Features, Price & AI Upgrades. Everything You Need to Know

iPhone 17 Cheat Sheet: Features, Price, and Everything You Need to Know

Apple has done it again. On September 9, during its keynote event boldly titled “Awe dropping,” the tech giant pulled the curtain back on the highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup. And this time, it’s not just another yearly refresh, Apple has loaded these devices with powerful new chips, AI features, and game-changing camera tech that will make both casual users and professionals raise their eyebrows.

Three models hit the stage: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. If you’re wondering which one fits your lifestyle or work needs, here’s a breakdown that will help you decide.

First Impressions: The Lineup at a Glance

iPhone 17: The “standard” model, packed with advanced features for everyday users.
iPhone 17 Pro: Geared toward power users, creators, and gamers, thanks to the upgraded chip and camera system.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: The ultimate beast with massive storage (up to 2TB!) and Apple’s best battery life yet.

All three share Apple’s Super Retina XDR display, scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2, and sleek designs that emphasize durability and sustainability.

The iPhone 17 keeps its familiar 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max stretches things out to a 6.9-inch immersive screen. Apple has refined the build with a new brushed-aluminum unibody design on the Pro models, and to accommodate the large battery, the cameras now sit on a raised “plateau.” And yes, Apple continues to keep things minimal: USB-C only, one port, zero fuss.

Color choices? The base iPhone 17 comes in black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white, while the Pro models flaunt more dramatic finishes like deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver.

iPhone 17	iPhone 17 Pro	iPhone 17 Pro Max
Capacity	256 GB 512 GB	256 GB 512 GB 1 TB	256 GB 512 GB 1 TB 2 TB
Size	Height 5.89 inches (149.6 mm) Width 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) Depth 0.31 inch (7.95 mm)	Height 5.91 inches (150.0 mm) Width 2.83 inches (71.9 mm) Depth 0.34 inch (8.75 mm)	Height 6.43 inches (163.4 mm) Width 3.07 inches (78.0 mm) Depth 0.34 inch (8.75 mm)
Weight	Weight 6.24 ounces (177 grams)	Weight 7.27 ounces (206 grams)	Weight 8.22 ounces (233 grams)
Display	Super Retina XDR display 6.3-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display 2622-by-1206-pixel resolution at 460 ppi 1000 nits max brightness (typical) 3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)	Super Retina XDR display 6.3-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display 2622-by-1206-pixel resolution at 460 ppi 1000 nits max brightness (typical) 3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)	Super Retina XDR display 6.9-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display1 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi 1000 nits max brightness (typical) 3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
Always-on Display?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chip	A19 6-core CPU 5-Core GPU with Neural Accelerators	A19 Pro 6-core CPU 6-Core GPU with Neural Accelerators	A19 Pro 6-core CPU 6-Core GPU with Neural Accelerators
Camera	48MP Fusion Main 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide 48MP Dual Fusion camera system with optical Zoom up to 2x 18MP Center Stage front camera Center Stage for photos Ultra-stabilized video Dual Capture video Spatial photos	48MP Fusion Main 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto 48MP Pro Fusion camera system with optical Zoom up to 8x 18MP Center Stage front camera Center Stage for photos Ultra-stabilized video Dual Capture video Macro photography Spatial photos ProRAW	48MP Fusion Main 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto 48MP Pro Fusion camera system with optical Zoom up to 8x Macro photography Spatial photos ProRAW
Battery	Up to 30 hours of video playback Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes	Up to 33 hours of video playback Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes	Up to 39 hours of video playback Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes

Price & Availability: Mark Your Calendars

Here’s how the lineup shakes out:

iPhone 17:
- $799 (256GB)
- $999 (512GB)
iPhone 17 Pro:
- $1,099 (256GB)
- $1,299 (512GB)
- $1,499 (1TB)
iPhone 17 Pro Max:
- $1,199 (256GB)
- $1,399 (512GB)
- $1,599 (1TB)
- $1,999 (2TB)

Should You Upgrade?

If you’re rocking an iPhone 13 or earlier, the iPhone 17 will feel like stepping into the future — speed, cameras, AI, everything is leagues ahead. But if you’re holding an iPhone 16 or a 15 Pro/Pro Max, the differences may feel less dramatic unless you’re a creator or power user who needs the Pro Max’s camera and battery life.

The iPhone 17 lineup isn’t just about faster chips or prettier colors, it’s Apple doubling down on AI, sustainability, and professional-grade tools inside a device that fits in your pocket. Whether you’re a casual user, gamer, or content creator, there’s something here for you.

So, the big question is: which iPhone 17 will you preorder?