New Apple iPhones are here, featuring significant upgrades in design, camera technology, and performance. This year’s lineup includes the standard iPhone 17 and the all-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air. The new A19 chip powers both models and boasts a revamped camera system, better durability, and improved battery life.
IPHONE 17: A SOLID UPGRADE FOR EVERYDAY USERS
The iPhone 17 is built with a focus on durability and user experience. It features a larger and brighter 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, which offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more efficient power use. The display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, providing three times better scratch resistance.
For photography, the iPhone 17 introduces an all-new camera system. The front-facing Centre Stage camera features a square sensor and AI, automatically adjusting the field of view to keep you and others centred in both photos and video calls. The rear camera system features a 48MP Fusion Main camera with an integrated 2x optical-quality telephoto lens and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera for expansive shots. The phone also supports 4K60 fps Dolby Vision video recording.
Under the hood, the A19 chip delivers a substantial boost in performance and efficiency. Apple says the A19’s 6-core CPU is 1.5 times faster than the A15 Bionic chip. The iPhone 17 also gets a significant battery life upgrade, offering up to 30 hours of video playback. Storage starts at 256GB, double the previous generation, and goes up to 512GB.
IPHONE AIR: THE THINNEST IPHONE EVER
Apple’s new iPhone Air stands out with its incredibly thin and light 5.6mm titanium design. This breakthrough form factor is made possible by a new internal architecture and the power-efficient A19 Pro chip. Despite its slim profile, the iPhone Air is more durable, with Ceramic Shield 2 protecting both the front and, for the first time, the back of the device.
The iPhone Air features a beautiful 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion and an always-on display. The camera system includes the same innovative Centre Stage front camera as the iPhone 17. The rear features a versatile 48MP Fusion camera system that acts as four lenses in one, with a custom main lens and a 2x optical-quality telephoto.
To achieve its ultra-thin design, the iPhone Air uses an eSIM-only model, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. It’s powered by a trio of Apple-designed chips—the A19 Pro, N1, and C1X—making it the most power-efficient iPhone ever. Storage options range from 256GB to 1TB, and while there are claims of all-day battery life, with such a thin device, it’s going to be interesting to see how well the iPhone Air battery holds up in real-world use.
IOS 26 AND APPLE INTELLIGENCE
The new iPhones debut with iOS 26, bringing a host of intelligent and design-focused improvements. The software features a new “Liquid Glass” design, which adds a beautiful and expressive layer to the user interface, making apps and system experiences more fluid and delightful. This update is also heavily focused on Apple Intelligence, with new capabilities like “Live Translation” for real-time translation during calls and in messages, helping to break down language barriers.
With Apple Intelligence, the new iPhones are more than just powerful—they’re intuitively smart. This personal intelligence system is deeply integrated into iOS 26, combining on-device processing with the power of generative models to understand your personal context while protecting your privacy. Imagine being able to refine your writing with “Writing Tools” that can proofread, rewrite, and summarise text for you in almost any app. Or effortlessly finding a specific photo by simply describing what’s in it, like “my daughter skateboarding in a red shirt.” The enhanced Siri can now take actions based on what’s on your screen, like adding a new address to a contact card directly from a text message. Apple Intelligence also introduces creative features like “Genmoji,” allowing you to create custom emojis on the fly, and “Image Playground” for generating fun, unique images within your favourite apps. It’s designed to anticipate your needs and simplify your daily life, all while keeping your data private and secure.
Additionally, “Visual Intelligence” allows you to take a screenshot and easily search or act on anything you’re viewing on your screen. New screening tools for calls and messages help reduce distractions, while the new “Apple Games” app provides a single destination for all your games.
KEY FEATURES ACROSS MODELS
Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air run on iOS 26, which includes new Apple Intelligence capabilities, such as on-the-go live translation for text and audio, and enhanced visual intelligence for screenshots. The new N1 wireless networking chip enables next-generation connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The devices also come with an extended free trial for Apple’s satellite features, including Roadside Assistance via satellite in Australia.
ACCESSORIES
To complement the new devices, Apple is introducing a range of new accessories. The star of the show is the Crossbody Strap, a hands-free solution crafted from 100% recycled yarns. It pairs with a selection of new cases, featuring embedded magnets and stainless steel sliders to adjust the length and keep the strap securely aligned. This accessory is a first for Apple and is available in a variety of vibrant colours.
For protection, Apple is releasing a new TechWoven Case with a dimensional fabric texture, as well as updated Silicone Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. The ultrathin iPhone Air also has a dedicated MagSafe Battery with a slim design that seamlessly attaches to the back of the device, extending battery life to help get you through the day. The new Qi2-certified MagSafe Charger is also available in both 1-metre and 2-metre lengths, offering faster wireless charging.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Pre-orders for both the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air begin on September 12, with availability starting on September 19. The iPhone 17 starts at AU$1,399.00, while the iPhone Air starts at AU$1,799.00
