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iPhone 17 Rumors, From a Slim ‘Air’ Model to a 25% Tariff Threat

Apple couldn’t keep the iPhone out of the tariff wars forever, it seems.

We’re still months away from Apple’s anticipated reveal of the newest iPhone, which we expect to happen in the company’s usual September window for launching the next edition of its popular line of smartphones. In the meantime, plenty of rumors are swirling about what the upcoming device, likely called the iPhone 17, could look like. 

From a redesigned camera module to a slimmer «Air» version of the iPhone 17, there’s been lots of buzz about what Apple’s next lineup will bring. We might even see a fresh blue color option for the Pro models. 

But the biggest news could be that iPhones get pricier thanks to tariffs. President Donald Trump threatened that Apple phones made outside the US would be subject to a 25% tariff, which could tack $200 or more on to the prices of the iPhone 17 series if all that extra cost was passed along to the consumer. We’ll have to wait and see how Apple and CEO Tim Cook respond to this proclamation.

And the rumors aren’t just about external appearances; reports suggest Apple will overhaul the look and feel of its software with the launch of iOS 19 as well. There are also rumors about increased RAM across all four expected devices.

Here’s what analysts and leakers predict about the iPhone 17 lineup. 

A slimmer iPhone 17 ‘Air’ 

One of the biggest rumors surrounds a possible iPhone «Air,» a thinner version of Apple’s flagship device that would replace the iPhone Plus option. 

The Air could feature a 6.6-inch screen, making it slightly smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max but still bigger than the baseline model, according to analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. A Bloomberg report from March supports those rumors, and notes that the iPhone Air could measure 5.5mm thick. The report also suggests the phone will cost around $900, putting it on par with the iPhone 16 Plus and maintaining its place in the iPhone hierarchy. 

For Apple to slim down a device, it would need to make hardware trade-offs, and that might include the phone’s camera. According to both Kuo and Bloomberg, it’s possible this version of the iPhone 17 would have only one main camera, doing without the ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses that have been staples of Apple’s premium iPhones for years. This would place the slim iPhone in the same camp as the $600 iPhone 16E when it comes to cameras, as that phone has only one rear lens. The good news, though, is that the selfie camera on the iPhone Air could get a boost; more on that later. 

One key challenge will be maintaining a high battery capacity, since a slimmer build typically means less space for the battery and thus a potential compromise on battery life. Bloomberg suggests Apple is focused on tackling that shortcoming. The report also notes that the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have superslim bezels, a Camera Control button and the Dynamic Island.

The phone will likely feature an A18 or A19-branded chip, Pu suggests. This would reportedly match the chip in the baseline iPhone 17. It could also include the Apple-developed 5G modem, called the C1 chip, which debuted on the iPhone 16E.

A higher refresh rate across the board

Rumor has it all models of the iPhone 17 will feature a 120Hz display, bumping the non-Pro models up from their current 60Hz refresh rate. That could be a welcome change, as the discrepancy between the Pro and non-Pro refresh rate is surprising; when Apple debuted the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with a 60Hz display, there was a bit of an outcry from folks who expected more in 2024. This rumored update could remedy that — and possibly bring the always-on display to the baseline model. 

What we likely won’t see is a new anti-reflective display that Apple was reportedly working on, according to MacRumors. A source reportedly told the publication that Apple scrapped plans for a more scratch-resistant display coating which could have appeared on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. This would have made them the first iPhones with an anti-reflective screen, giving them a feature that CNET’s Patrick Holland deemed one of the best attributes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. According to MacRumors, «Apple ran into problems scaling up the display coating process, and it is currently no longer a planned feature for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models.»

Camera upgrades 

It’s not an iPhone release without a camera upgrade, and there have been plenty of rumors about what the camera module could look like on Apple’s upcoming phones. In January, a leaked image from Majin Bu on X suggested the phone could feature a pill-shaped camera bar, essentially resembling what you’d find on Google’s Pixel 9 phone. In February, Bu followed up with CAD renders of what’s said to be the iPhone 17 lineup, featuring horizontal camera bars, as well as larger rectangular bars on the iPhone 17 Pro models. 

Front Page Tech also shared iPhone 17 Pro renders in a video in February, depicting a larger camera bar that maintains the lens’ stacked layout. A separate video on the iPhone 17 Air shows a smaller camera bar, with one lens on the left. 

In April, Bloomberg reported the «iPhone 17 Pro will look a lot more like the 16 Pro than anticipated,» adding, «From the front, the 17 Pro will appear quite similar to the 16 Pro. It’s the back camera that will look meaningfully different.» The latest rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro’s three-lens camera arrangement will be maintained, but will sit on a new panel that stretches across the phone’s width.

Later in April, Bu again posted an image of the purported iPhone 17 lineup, showing those wider camera bars with the stacked lenses still configured to the left. 

Not until next year, for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, will Apple be «preparing a major shake-up» for the phone’s design, Bloomberg says. That includes a (long-rumored) foldable version and a «bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.»

Another camera-related rumor is that the selfie camera on all iPhone 17 models, including the Air, will be upgraded to 24 megapixels, according to Pu. That’s a decent bump from the current 12-megapixel front-facing camera on the iPhone 16 lineup, though it’s important to remember that more megapixels don’t automatically mean better photos. Still, given how much people increasingly rely on their front cameras to snap selfies and record videos for TikTok and Instagram, this will surely be a welcome advancement.

A sky blue iPhone 17 Pro

It’s not clear what colors will be included in the iPhone 17’s lineup. But in April, Bu said the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could include a sky blue option. In an article, Bu wrote that «sources close to the supply chain confirm that several iPhone 17 Pro prototypes have been made in various colors, with Sky Blue currently the frontrunner.» 

Bu describes the sky blue color as being «even more stunning than the much-loved Sierra Blue of the iPhone 13 Pro, with a brightness and refinement that make it irresistible.» (My colleague Jeff Carlson isn’t so thrilled about this rumor.)

iOS 19 could bring a fresh look

Regarding what’s on the inside, Apple is reportedly looking to revamp its mobile operating system with the release of iOS 19. According to Bloomberg, this «includes updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons.» Sources reportedly told the publication that Apple is «working to simplify the way users navigate and control their devices,» and that the design borrows from the Vision Pro’s operating system. For instance, VisionOS features more circular app icons and translucent navigation panels. It’s possible what you’ll see on your future iPhone could more closely mirror this aesthetic.

The software revamp would reportedly extend to iPad and Mac, therefore bringing consistency across Apple’s devices. Bloomberg notes this would be the biggest software shakeup since macOS Big Sur’s release in 2020 and iOS 7’s release in 2013.

Other possible features

The rumors on what frames the iPhone 17 lineup will feature have gone back and forth, but Pu recently suggested the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all have aluminum frames. He noted that the iPhone 17 Air could be the outlier with a titanium frame. 

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a narrower Dynamic Island, thanks to a smaller Face ID sensor. Pu has said the Dynamic Island on other iPhone 17 models would reportedly stay the same size. 

In February, Kuo noted Apple will swap out Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips for in-house chips across the iPhone 17 lineup, stating this would «enhance connectivity across Apple devices.» It’s not yet clear what exactly this would mean, but it would be interesting if Apple’s C1 chip were accompanied by its own Wi-Fi chip, too.

In April, tipster Digital Chat Station noted that given the use of Apple Intelligence and AI on a «large scale,» all the phones will come with 12GB of RAM. Digital Trends notes this aligns with previous suggestions from Kuo, which gives the rumor some added weight. The iPhone 16 lineup tops out at 8GB of RAM, so this would be a notable leap. 

We’ll continue to update this piece as more rumors surface, so be sure to follow along. 

Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Cameras, Display and Colors

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Tariffs Explained: I Have Everything You Need to Know as Trump Spars With Apple, Walmart

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How Much Will the iPhone 17 Cost?

Tariffs could hike the price of the new iPhone, but other factors play a role, too. What to look for as the release day approaches.

The rumored iPhone 17 is getting plenty of attention for potential new features and upgrades, like more memory and a camera upgrade. And the prospect of an ultrathin iPhone just adds to the excitement as the expected release date approaches.

But of all the rumors about the new iPhone, one of the most persistent may be: How much will it cost?

There are a lot of factors that could affect the pricing for the rumored iPhone 17, including tariffs, production costs and the overall health of the US economy. 

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

We won’t know the exact price for the next iPhone until its release, which is expected to be in September. But we’ve pored over all the leaks, rumors and predictions about prices, and we found ways to help you save if a new iPhone is in your future.

How tariffs could affect the cost of the next iPhone

Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff bender, higher reciprocal tariffs are currently on pause. However, Trump took to social media on Friday, threatening Apple with a 25% tariff on all iPhones made outside the US. While there’s no timeline for this tariff rollout, there’s currently a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and a 30% tariff on goods from China, where Apple still manufactures most of its products. Those rates may also start to rise in July when the initial tariff pause expires, which could lead to higher prices on everything — including the rumored iPhone 17.

Apple appears to have dodged a lot of the initial tariff impact. It stockpiled phones before tariffs took effect, and Trump’s exemption list included many phones, laptops and other electronics that Apple produces.

The tech giant has also moved some US iPhone production from China to India, which currently has a lower tariff rate. However, Trump called out Apple CEO Tim Cook to instead move iPhone production to the US. Most experts consider this an unrealistic demand, especially in the short term, because of higher labor and production costs in the US. Estimates have suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500.

That leaves prices for the next iPhone in limbo. Trump’s administration called the exemption list «temporary» in early April, saying that exemptions would end in «a month or two.» Around the same time, Trump said that semiconductors, which power tech products, will eventually be placed in a different «tariff bucket.» However, no details have been shared about the timeline or expected tariff percentages.

With all the reprieves appearing to be temporary, tariffs could still potentially affect prices by the time the rumored iPhone 17 is expected to be released.

If the original reciprocal tariff pause expires, for instance, taxes on imports from India would rise from 10% to 26% starting in July. If the 90-day pause for China expires, tariffs on that country would jump from 30% to 145% in August. Experts point out that a tariff rate hike doesn’t necessarily mean an iPhone’s price would increase at the same rate, but most expect at least some impact.

And where the phone is assembled is only part of the tariff equation. Apple sources components for the iPhone from dozens of other countries, which could also potentially affect the price.

Based on where tariffs stand now, here’s how much you could potentially pay for the next iPhone based on current iPhone 16 prices. These are estimates and not pricing from Apple:

How much could tariffs affect the price of an iPhone 17?*

Current price Current 10% tariff on goods from India Potential 26% tariff for India Current 30% tariff on goods from China Potential 145% tariff for China
iPhone 16E (128GB) $599 $659 $830 $779 $1,614
iPhone 16 (128GB) $799 $879 $1,107 $1,039 $2,153
iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) $899 $989 $1,246 $1,169 $2,423
iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) $999 $1,099 $1,385 $1,299 $2,692
iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) $1,199 $1,319 $1,662 $1,559 $3,231
iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) $1,599 $1,759 $2,216 $2,079 $4,309

*Trump’s newly proposed 25% Apple tariff on iPhones manufactured outside the US could further increase the price of the next iPhone. We’ll keep this story up to date with the latest pricing information as we receive it.

What else could cause the new iPhone’s price to increase?

Trump immediately criticized retailers like Walmart and Amazon when they suggested that tariffs could result in higher prices, so it stands to reason that Apple won’t directly blame tariffs for potential price hikes to avoid a Trump tirade. 

Rather, Apple could attribute the price increase to improved features and design costs. Regardless of tariffs, Apple has plans to raise iPhone prices this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

Experts say Apple may be overdue for a price increase anyways. It’s been five years since the basic iPhone model increased in price, and each iteration of the iPhone generally improves on features from the last version. 

My colleague Patrick Holland, CNET’s managing editor, has been reviewing phones for CNET since 2016 and tracking prices over the years. He notes that the base iPhone model hasn’t gone up in price since 2020.

His research points to the standard iPhone model’s price increasing approximately every five years, typically between $50 and $150. Based on this evidence and the iPhone 16’s current price of $799, we could expect the new iPhone to cost somewhere between $850 and $950.

What will the iPhone 17 Air cost?

Early rumors had the iPhone 17 Air topping the iPhone Pro in price. However, a March Bloomberg report suggested the phone could cost around $900, similar to the current iPhone 16 Plus’s price tag. Those estimates are based on the current costs and may not include the potential impact tariffs could have on an ultrathin iPhone’s price.

How the economy could affect iPhone prices

Uncertainty in the US economy — in part due to the aforementioned tariff turmoil — has left many wary about what’s to come. While the recent agreement with China to pause tariffs helped the stock market to mostly recover from the dive it took after Trump’s Liberation Day, that reprieve offers only temporary relief. 

Concerns about the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have left the Federal Reserve in wait-and-see mode for lowering interest rates. Higher interest rates can cause companies like Apple to pull back on spending and investment. Combined with higher tariffs, that pullback could potentially lead to global supply chain disruptions. Fewer iPhones available in the market could lead to higher prices.

If inflation resurges, rising costs could force Apple to increase the next iPhone’s price.

One tiny bright side, in theory, is that a weakening economy could force Apple to hold off on raising prices so it can stay competitive. But that may not offer much consolation if you’re worried about spending money because of a potential recession. 

Will older iPhones cost more, too?

One way to save on Apple products is to buy last year’s model instead of the newest release. However, if the new iPhone is dramatically more expensive when it’s released, demand could increase for the older models. That could lead to price hikes on older models, too. 

The flip side of this is that if the new iPhone’s prices rise and you have an older iPhone, your old iPhone would also likely increase in value, Holland said.

Trading or selling a used iPhone can help offset the cost if you do decide to buy the new iPhone.

Other ways Apple could raise prices

Even if Apple decides to hold the next iPhone’s price steady, there are other ways for the tech giant to recoup increased costs.

Apple could potentially offset the impact of tariffs by raising the price on its services — including its music, news and data plans — according to supply chain expert Joe Hudicka.

«We’ll see those markups in the subscription services first because they’ll appear smaller,» he said. «Consumers will still pay, just not all at once.»

Should we believe rumors and speculation about iPhone prices?

So seriously, how much is a new iPhone going to cost? The truth is, we can’t say with any certainty what the final numbers will be. Our assessments are based on ever-changing tariff policies, past pricing trends, rumors and leaks that are sometimes based on insider knowledge. But until Apple releases the rumored iPhone 17, we can only offer our best estimates for how much the final price tag will be.

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Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, May 24

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for May 24.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

No matter how many NYT Mini Crossword puzzles I’ve done, those double-meaning clues always trip me up. So I see 8-Across, «army shirt,» and am trying to make «khaki» or «camo» fit. And I see 10-across, «wand-waving org,» and my mind goes to Harry Potter. I was wrong on both. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: «Get a load of ___!»
Answer: THIS

5A clue: Ability to keep one’s balance on a ship
Answer: SEALEGS

8A clue: Army shirt?
Answer: TANKTOP

9A clue: Chicago trains
Answer: ELS

10A clue: Wand-waving org.
Answer: TSA

11A clue: Flowers depicted in classical Chinese art
Answer: PEONIES

13A clue: By oneself
Answer: ALONE

14A clue: Phileas ___, «Around the World in Eighty Days» protagonist
Answer: FOGG

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Something «read» in the divination method of tasseography
Answer: TEALEAF

2D clue: Sci-fi hero with the line «Never tell me the odds»
Answer: HANSOLO

3D clue: Kind
Answer: ILK

4D clue: Where a story takes place
Answer: SETTING

5D clue: Lather, rinse or repeat
Answer: STEP

6D clue: «Take a look for yourself!»
Answer: GOSEE

7D clue: Places to get pampered
Answer: SPAS

12D clue: Eggy holiday drink
Answer: NOG

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

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