Apple Debuts iPhone 17 Series, Featuring 5.6mm Thinnest iPhone Air

Apple officially unveiled its latest smartphone lineup, the iPhone 17 series, at its "Awe-Dropping" event on September 9, 2025. The launch introduced four new models, including the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the entirely new iPhone 17 Air, marking a significant update to the company's flagship devices. CEO Tim Cook stated the company is "raising the bar again" with these new offerings, which aim to redefine user experience and performance.

A standout addition to the series is the iPhone 17 Air, touted as Apple's thinnest iPhone to date, measuring just 5.6mm. This new model is powered by the same A19 Pro chip found in the Pro lineup, alongside the N1 networking chip and C1X modem, and notably supports eSIM-only connectivity. The iPhone 17 Air will be available from Rs 1,19,900, starting September 19, in four distinct shades: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models feature a design shift back to aluminum, incorporating a heat-forged aluminum unibody enclosure for enhanced performance, battery capacity, and durability. These premium devices boast Apple's largest batteries ever and an advanced camera system with three 48MP rear lenses and an AI-powered "Center Stage" selfie camera. The Pro Max variant can now be configured with up to 2TB of storage, offering unprecedented storage capabilities.

The base iPhone 17 also receives a notable upgrade, now featuring a larger 6.3-inch display and, for the first time in a non-Pro model, Apple's silky-smooth 120Hz ProMotion technology. Pricing for the iPhone 17 Pro begins at Rs 1,34,900, while the Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900 for the 256GB model. The new lineup aims to cater to a broad spectrum of users with varying needs and budgets, offering five color options for the standard model.

Following the announcement, social media platforms, particularly X and Reddit, were inundated with reactions ranging from "kidney jokes" to memes humorously commenting on Apple's pricing and incremental upgrades. Popular commentator Trung Phan captured this sentiment, tweeting a humorous comparison:

“Tell your Lord that iPhone 17 has a thermally-conductive aluminum unibody, dual-side Ceramic Shield, ProRes Raw, A19 chip and 48MP fusion camera equal to 8 lenses.” “The Anjin says iPhone 17 is exactly like the iPhone 16 with slightly better camera and comes in cosmic orange.” This highlights the ongoing public debate regarding the perceived value of each new iPhone generation, despite the significant technological advancements.