Apple Debuts iPhone 17: 48MP Cameras, A19 Chip, Pre-Order Sept. 12

Apple announced the iPhone 17 on September 9, 2025. Pre-orders opened Friday, September 12, with general availability on Friday, September 19. The new lineup brings a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, Ceramic Shield 2 with improved scratch resistance, and for the first time 48MP sensors across all rear cameras.

The main camera is a 48MP Fusion unit with an integrated optical-quality 2x telephoto. The ultra-wide is also 48MP—four times the resolution of the previous generation. The front camera uses a square sensor (up to 18MP) so users can shoot landscape photos while holding the phone in portrait, and it supports 4K HDR video and Dual Capture for simultaneous front and rear recording. The phone comes in five colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.

Performance and Storage

The iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chip. Base storage doubles to 256GB, with a 512GB option. iOS 26 shipped as a free update on September 15, 2025. The combination of the new chip and storage bump targets better performance and longer usable life.

Market Context

The iPhone 17 launch was one of the most searched consumer tech events of the year. Competing flagships from Samsung and Google continue to push higher-resolution sensors and AI features. Apple's move to 48MP across the rear cameras and the new front camera layout differentiates the 17 from earlier iPhones and aligns with trends in social and video content.

What's Next

Expect ongoing software updates to iOS 26 and possible mid-cycle variants or Pro models. The 17 sets the baseline for the 2025–2026 iPhone lineup.