iPhone 17 Series 

What models are coming?

Apple is expected to introduce four new models:

• iPhone 17 (standard model) – black, white, steel grey, green, purple, light blue

• iPhone 17 Air (new ultra-thin design replacing the Plus model) – black, white, light blue, light gold

• iPhone 17 Pro

• iPhone 17 Pro Max – black, white, grey, dark blue, fluorescent orange

The highlight is the new “Air” variant, which is the thinnest iPhone ever. It is designed for users who want sleek, lightweight devices with large displays.

What’s new?

1. Design and display

The iPhone 17 Air features a 6.6-inch OLED ProMotion screen and a very slim 5.5 mm body. All models will support 120Hz refresh rates, which will ensure smoother browsing and gaming. This is a great upgrade for younger users who are active on TikTok, YouTube, and mobile games like PUBG or FIFA Mobile.

2. Camera upgrades for creators

Each iPhone 17 model will have a 24MP front camera. The Pro models will include a 48MP triple-lens system with periscope zoom and 8K video capability. This is a significant advance for Kenyan content creators and influencers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Photographers in Nairobi’s creative scenes, as well as travel vloggers and reviewers, will find the improved optics particularly useful.

3. Performance and software

The standard iPhone 17 will be powered by the new A19 chip. The Pro and Pro Max will feature the more powerful A19 Pro chip, allowing for faster performance and smoother multitasking.

Running on iOS 26, these devices are expected to include AI-powered tools and an upgraded Siri with better voice functionality. These updates may boost local productivity and assist with app integration for mobile banking, M-Pesa, and agriculture-related tools.

iPhone 17 Models and Features

1.iPhone 17

    - 6.3-inch screen with 120Hz ProMotion display

    - A19 chip with incremental improvements

    - 24MP front-facing TrueDepth camera

    - Dual-lens rear camera system (Wide and Ultra Wide)

    - 8GB RAM (expected)

    - Refreshed color lineup: Purple, Green, Blue, Black, and White

    - $799 price expected (same as last year's iPhone 16)

2.iPhone 17 Air

    - Ultra-thin design (5.55mm thick)

    - 6.6-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion

    - A19 Pro chip with reduced GPU count (five GPU cores)

    - Single 48MP rear camera (Main camera only)

    - 24MP front-facing TrueDepth camera

    - 12GB RAM

    - Apple's first in-house 5G modem (C1)

    - Colors: Light Blue, Light Gold, Black, and Silver

    - $949 price expected ($50 price increase over last year's Plus model)

3.iPhone 17 Pro

    - 6.3-inch screen with 120Hz ProMotion display

    - A19 Pro chip

    - 48MP triple-lens rear camera system (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto)

    - 24MP front-facing TrueDepth camera

    - 12GB RAM

    - Anti-reflective, more scratch-resistant display

    - New design with full-width camera bar and aluminum replacing titanium

    - $1,049 price expected ($50 price increase over last year)

4.iPhone 17 Pro Max

    - 6.9-inch screen with 120Hz ProMotion display

    - A19 Pro chip

    - 48MP triple-lens rear camera system (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto)

    - Larger battery for extended battery life

    - 24MP front-facing TrueDepth camera

    - 12GB RAM

    - Anti-reflective, more scratch-resistant display

    - $1,249 price expected ($50 price increase over last year)

Video: Apple's iPhone 17 Series Launch

Should you upgrade?

For users currently on the iPhone 13 or earlier, the iPhone 17 Air or Pro models offer major upgrades in camera quality, AI tools, and performance.

However, if you have an iPhone 15 or 16, the choice to upgrade may depend on whether features like a slimmer design, vapor chamber cooling, or 8K video matter to you.

The iPhone 17 lineup, thanks largely to the addition of the 17 Air, might make it harder than usual to choose the best model for you. iPhone 17 Air will feel the most futuristic, but also come with some compromises. And while iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sound as strong as ever, they don’t have the same “brand new” appeal that the Air might.