When is iPhone 17 Coming Out, and Should You Wait?

Every September, Apple does this thing where they announce a shiny new iPhone and I immediately tell myself, “Nope. Not this year. I’m holding out.”

And then about 20 minutes later, I’m on the Apple Store app trying to justify trading in my perfectly good phone for something that looks the same but comes in a new shade of blue.

Sound familiar?

This year, the whispers have been circling about the iPhone 17. And the big question is: should you buy the iPhone 16 today, or hang on a few months (and survive with your cracked battery-draining iPhone 12) until the 17 drops?

In this post, I’m covering:

When we can actually expect Apple to launch the iPhone 17.
What the rumours say about new features.
Whether it’s worth waiting for, or if you should just grab a 16 now and save the stress.

Let’s get to it!

The Release Window: When the iPhone 17 Is Coming Out

Here’s the good news: Apple is nothing if not predictable. For over a decade, new iPhones have dropped in September like clockwork. The usual pattern looks like this:

Early to mid-September, Apple hosts its keynote event.
That same Friday, pre-orders go live.
The following Friday, devices start shipping and hitting stores.

If history repeats itself, the iPhone 17 should be announced mid-September 2025, with deliveries arriving around a week later.

The only wildcards are:

Popular colours and higher storage models tend to sell out quickly, meaning shipping dates slip by weeks.
Global rollout sometimes staggers, but major markets (US, UK, EU) usually get day-one availability.

So, if you’re the type who wants the new iPhone in hand before your mates, mark your calendar now: Mid-September 2025 is when the 17 will land.

Naming & Lineup: 17, 17 Plus, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max… or Something Spicier?

Apple’s naming scheme is about as predictable as the weather in the UK. Most years, it’s safe to assume we’ll get:

iPhone 17 (the standard model)
iPhone 17 Plus (the bigger, non-Pro option)
iPhone 17 Pro (the bigger Pro option)
iPhone 17 Pro Max (the kitchen sink edition)

That’s four models, neatly filling the same slots Apple’s kept for years.

But here’s where it gets messy: Apple loves throwing in little curveballs. Last year, exclusive features were only on the Pro Max, which annoyed the life out of anyone who prefers smaller phones.

This year, with the 16, they evened things out a bit.

So for the 17, will Apple finally give us feature parity across all sizes, or will they keep forcing people into the larger, more expensive Max model for the best camera setup?

There’s also been the occasional rumour about Apple ditching “Plus” and just going with “iPhone 17” and “iPhone 17 XL”... but let’s be honest, Apple loves the Pro/Pro Max branding far too much to shake it up now.

What’s Rumoured vs What’s Realistic

As expected, the rumour mills have kicked into overdrive. Some of it’s solid leaks from the supply chain, some of it pure fantasy (looking at you, foldable iPhone rumours that pop up every six months.)

So let’s separate what might actually land on the iPhone 17 from the wild guesses.

iPhone 17 Rumors vs What’s Realistic

Design Tweaks	Expect titanium, smaller bezels, and maybe a new colour option. Don’t hold your breath for a radical redesign, though. Apple tends to stick with the same shape for at least 3-4 years.
Display	Rumours keep floating that ProMotion (120Hz refresh) might come to the non-Pro iPhones. Realistically? Apple loves keeping that as a “Pro-only” perk. Maybe we’ll see 90Hz, but 120Hz across the board feels unlikely.
Cameras	The big bet is that Apple will finally bring the periscope-style zoom lens to all Pro models, not just the Max. Sensor upgrades are also likely, as Apple loves subtle camera improvements year after year.
Chip and Performance	Expect the new A19 chip (or whatever Apple names it). It’ll be faster, cooler, and better for on-device AI. Will you notice the difference when opening Instagram? Not really. But it’ll keep the phone relevant for longer.
Battery and Thermals	Expect marginal gains. If your iPhone currently dies at 9 pm, the 17 might push that to 10:30. Good, but not groundbreaking.
USB-C Speeds	Pro models already get USB 3 speeds, so that should continue. Don’t expect Apple to suddenly boost the base models; they’ll keep those slower.
Satellite and Safety Features	More global support is likely for SOS and roadside assistance via satellite. Still worth checking the fine print, though, coverage is patchy depending on the country.

In short, expect meaningful but modest improvements. The iPhone 17 will refine the 16, not reinvent it.

Apple Intelligence in 2025 and Beyond: The Real Reason to Wait?

Let’s be honest, Apple’s biggest play with the iPhone 17 is its AI. Or, as Apple insists on calling it, Apple Intelligence.

Here’s why it matters: the iPhone 16 technically “launched” with Apple Intelligence, but most of the features are still rolling out in betas and are limited by region and language. By the time the iPhone 17 ships, Apple should (in theory) have its AI ecosystem in much better shape.

What Apple Intelligence promises:

A smarter, more conversational Siri that won’t cut you off mid-sentence.
On-device understanding of your messages, emails, and notifications to surface what’s important.
Summarized notifications and emails so you can skim instead of scroll.
Smart replies, text rewriting, and even call recording with transcriptions.
AI-powered photo and video editing that actually feels integrated, not bolted on.

The catch:

Right now, features are inconsistent and buggy, especially outside the US.
Apple has been slow with rollouts; even iPhone 16 owners aren’t seeing the full promise yet.
First-gen features often feel like half steps. It’s usually the second year (iPhone 17 in this case) where Apple gets it right.

So if Apple Intelligence is what excites you most, waiting for iPhone 17 makes sense. That’ll likely be the first iPhone where these tools feel polished, reliable, and baked into your daily routine.

Trade-In, Resale & Carrier Deals: The Hidden Math

When you buy a new iPhone, you’ve got to think about the upfront price and how much you can squeeze back out of your old one. Here’s where timing matters.

If you list your old iPhone before Apple’s September keynote, you’ll usually get a higher resale price. As soon as the new models are announced, values drop like a rock. Carriers and Apple’s own trade-in program are safe and convenient, but they rarely give you top dollar. Private resale (eBay, Swappa, Facebook Marketplace) is more hassle, but you’ll often pocket £100–£200 more.

Watch out for the classic “free upgrade” marketing. Nothing’s free; you’re usually locking into a 24–36 month plan with interest quietly baked into the monthly fee. The trick is to compare the total cost over the contract vs buying outright and going SIM-only. Nine times out of ten, SIM-only + outright iPhone wins long-term.

Pro models hold value longer. Titanium is trendy, but really, it’s the bigger storage options that resell the easiest. Nobody wants to buy your 128GB Pro Max once it’s half full of baby videos. Surprisingly, some colours tank resale faster. Apple’s “fun” colours don’t age as well as black, white, or silver. Remember that weird green from the 11? Exactly.

My advice? If you’re planning ahead, list your old phone before the iPhone 17 release, consider private resale if you can stomach it, and pick storage/colours that will hold value for your next trade-in. Future You will thank you.

Accessories Worth Sorting Now (So You’re Not Panic-Buying on Launch Day)

There’s nothing worse than getting a brand-new iPhone, and then realizing you don’t have the right charger, your old case doesn’t fit, and you’re suddenly panic-buying overpriced accessories at checkout. Let’s not do that this year.

iPhone Accessories to Purchase Before Launch Day

Chargers	Apple still doesn’t include a charger in the box. A good 20W brick is enough for most, but a 30W+ option is future-proof if you’ve got iPads or MacBooks too.
Cables	All new iPhones use USB-C now, but not all cables are created equal. The regular 16 (and likely the 17) is stuck with USB 2 speeds, while the Pro models support USB 3. If you care about fast transfers, buy a proper USB 3 cable now.
Cases & Screen Protectors	If you’re clumsy (like me), get a case before day one. MagSafe-compatible ones are worth it, as they stick to wallets, car mounts, and wireless chargers. Screen protectors are also like cheap insurance. The trick is buying a pack so you’re not left crying when you crack the first one while installing it.
MagSafe Extras	Portable battery packs are lifesavers on travel days. Just check the wattage to avoid the endless trickle-charge. Another pro tip: make sure your car mounts/chargers can hold the bigger Pro Max if you’re going that route.

One of the best things you can do for your future self is to get your accessories sorted asap from brands you trust (and at prices that don’t make you weep). Otherwise, Apple will happily upsell you their £69 “official” charger at checkout.

The Best Time to Upgrade Is When Your Life Needs It

The iPhone 17 will almost certainly launch in September 2025. It’ll be faster, shinier, and sprinkled with new Apple Intelligence tricks. But none of that changes one simple fact: the best time to upgrade is when your life actually needs it.

If your current iPhone is cracked, dying by lunchtime, or running so slowly that even WhatsApp takes 10 seconds to open, then yes, buy the iPhone 16 today and enjoy it. You’ll still be getting one of the best phones on the market (and you’ll save a fair few pennies).

If your older phone is holding strong and you’re curious about Apple Intelligence finally maturing, then waiting for the iPhone 17 is the smarter play. You’ll get longer support, better resale value, and maybe that camera upgrade you’ve been wishing for.