Apple Revolution: Apple just unveiled the iPhone 17 lineup, we know all the new features and Czech prices!

A few minutes ago, Apple’s “Awe dropping” conference concluded, bringing the most significant iPhone redesign since 2020. While last year’s lineup disappointed with half-hearted novelties, this year’s generation finally delivers what users have been asking for – longer battery life, a radical redesign, and better cameras. The main star was the iPhone 17 Air with a thickness of 5.5 mm, proving that Apple is not afraid to take risks.

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Quick comparison of all models

Model Display Chip RAM Battery Cameras Weight iPhone 17 6.3″ 120Hz A19 8 GB 3,692 mAh 2× rear 183 g iPhone 17 Air 6.6″ 120Hz A19 12 GB 3,149 mAh 1× rear 145 g iPhone 17 Pro 6.3″ 120Hz A19 Pro 12 GB 4,252 mAh 3× 48Mpx 205 g iPhone 17 Pro Max 6.9″ 120Hz A19 Pro 12 GB 5,088 mAh 3× 48Mpx + 8× zoom 235 g

iPhone 17 Air: A bold experiment that makes sense

If I had to summarize the iPhone 17 Air in one sentence, it would be: Apple finally understood that not everyone wants a paperweight in their pocket. With a thickness of 5.5 mm, it is the thinnest iPhone ever.

However, Apple had to make compromises. It only has one 48Mpx camera, whose size was not specified, and I’m a little worried it will be the same sensor as in the iPhone 16e, which is tiny for a main camera (1/2.55″). The battery has a capacity of 3,149 mAh (the company never officially communicates capacity, but leaks have been talking about this capacity for several months), but thanks to the efficiency of the A19 Pro chip and its own 5G modem, it might not be such a tragedy. Apple claims that thanks to optimizations, the Air has the same battery life as last year’s iPhone 16, which in practice would mean approximately 22 hours of video playback.

The biggest surprise? 12 GB RAM, just like the Pro models. Apple clearly doesn’t want the Air to be just a fashion accessory – it’s meant to be a full-fledged flagship phone for those who prioritize elegance over raw power. The 6.6″ OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion is larger than that of the base model.

The proprietary C1X 5G modem is an interesting move – Apple is slowly shedding its dependence on Qualcomm and has already tested it in practice with the iPhone 16e. In practice, this means lower power consumption for mobile connectivity, even though mmWave support is missing (which no one uses in Europe anyway). The model will be available in black, white, light blue, and gold.

iPhone 17 Pro: Apple finally listened

After two years of titanium experiments, Apple is returning to aluminum frames, and for the first time ever, the iPhone is unibody – and that’s a good thing. Titanium looked premium but was unnecessarily expensive and, more importantly, poor at dissipating heat. The new design with a horizontal camera module spanning the entire width of the phone may not be as iconic as the triangular arrangement, but it has a practical reason – there’s more space inside for a new cooling system.

A vapor chamber is something Android phones have had for years, but Apple waited until last year and is improving its system this year.

The battery with a capacity of 4,252 mAh represents an 18.6% increase compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. In practice, this means that the smaller Pro model finally lasts virtually as long as last year’s Pro Max. This year’s Pro Max, with 5,088 mAh, sets a new record, as the Cupertino giant has never before introduced a phone with a battery exceeding 5,000 mAh.

The Dynamic Island is smaller – Apple reduced the cutout by 15%, which is noticeable at first glance. The displays still feature 120Hz ProMotion and an always-on mode, but the maximum brightness has increased to 2,500 nits for HDR content (2,000 nits for typical use).

A19 Pro Chipset: TSMC N3P and emphasis on AI

The new Apple A19 Pro is the first chip manufactured with TSMC’s 3nm N3P process (second generation), promising 5% higher performance and 10% lower power consumption than the N3E used in the A18 Pro. The CPU still has 6 cores (2 high-performance Avalanche + 4 efficiency Blizzard), but the performance cores run at 4.04 GHz – the highest frequency Apple has ever had in a phone.

In initial Geekbench 6 tests, the A19 Pro achieves scores over 4,200 points in single-core and 11,000 in multi-core.

The GPU has 6 cores (the base A19 has 5) and supports second-generation hardware ray tracing. The Neural Engine has 20 cores (compared to 16 in the A18) and handles 45 TOPS.

All models feature LPDDR5X RAM – the base iPhone 17 has 8 GB, while Air and Pro models have 12 GB. This is the first time Apple has put more than 6 GB of RAM into a base model.

Cameras: 48Mpx revolution and mechanical aperture

Apple called this year’s upgrade “the biggest in history” – and frankly, it’s not far from the truth. All three rear lenses of the Pro models have 48 Mpx, which is a fourfold leap for the telephoto lens. What does this mean in practice? You can crop into the telephoto lens and still have a 12Mpx image, or shoot in full resolution and adjust the crop in post-production.

Video is a chapter unto itself. 4K at 120 fps in ProRes, dual-cam recording allows simultaneous recording with the front and rear cameras, with both streams saved as separate files for easier editing. Stabilization uses a combination of optical and electronic, as is customary.

All models, including the base one, also feature a new 24Mpx selfie camera – an upgrade from 12 Mpx means sharper details and better low-light performance. However, the Pro models have an 18Mpx selfie camera, which should have a larger sensor.

Base iPhone 17: Finally without compromises

The biggest upgrade to the base model? The 120Hz ProMotion display. After years, Apple has stopped punishing customers for not buying a Pro model. Always-on display, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate – everything that used to be exclusive to Pro is now finally standard.

The display has grown to 6.3″ (the same as the Pro), but thanks to thinner bezels, the phone is only 2 mm taller than the iPhone 16. The third-generation Ceramic Shield has 50% better crack resistance than the previous version. Apple claims it is the most durable glass on a phone ever.

The cameras stick with the proven duo – a 48Mpx main (f/1.6), but the 12Mpx ultrawide has been replaced by a telephoto lens with 2x zoom. Thanks to the new ISP in the A19 chip, photo quality should be somewhat better.

Two buttons that surprisingly make sense

Last year’s Camera Control was a failed attempt – complex controls that no one used. Apple learned its lesson, and the new camera button is purely mechanical. A two-stage shutter button like on cameras, placed where you expect it. Light press = focus, full press = capture. No gestures, no complexities.

We already know the Action Button. You can set up 10 different actions or shortcuts – from turning on the flashlight to launching ChatGPT to controlling smart home devices.

Apple Watch and AirPods: Evolution, not revolution

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a minor upgrade – faster S11 chip, slightly better battery life, 5G modem, blood pressure monitoring (which won’t be available in the EU at launch anyway).

The Apple Watch SE 3rd generation is based on the Apple Watch 7, featuring Always-On for the first time and supporting touchless gestures, similar to newer Apple watches.

The Ultra 3 finally gets satellite communication for SOS messages – Garmin has had it for years, but better late than never. The display has 3% higher resolution thanks to thinner bezels. It features LTPO 3.0 technology, which should be more battery-efficient, and Always-On will also be smoother. Battery life has also been slightly improved, but generally, it’s more of a minor upgrade.

The AirPods Pro 3 are more interesting – the H3 chip promises 2x better ANC compared to Pro 2, and we can also look forward to live translation, but given that the mobile app doesn’t support Czech, I would rule out its support for the headphones as well. Apple now promises IP58 certification.

Thanks to new sensors, heart rate measurement during sports can also be expected, and the headphones are capable of recognizing up to 50 different modes. Battery life has increased from 6 hours to 8 hours with ANC enabled and up to 10 hours in transparency mode.

Accessories: The end of the FineWoven disaster

FineWoven cases were a disgrace – ugly, quickly damaged, and expensive. TechWoven is a mix of polyester and recycled nylon that looks like premium fabric but is as durable as leather. All cases have eyelets for a strap – because Apple is selling a Crossbody Strap. Yes, a phone strap.

For the Air, there are special covers – either an ultra-thin bumper that adds only 0.8 mm, or a 2,000 mAh Battery Case that extends battery life by 60%. MagSafe charging has accelerated to 25W (from 15W), but you’ll need a new adapter. Qi2 works at 15W with old chargers.

Prices: Surprisingly no price increase

Model 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB iPhone 17 23,990 CZK 26,990 CZK 32,990 CZK – iPhone 17 Air – 27,990 CZK 33,990 CZK – iPhone 17 Pro – 32,990 CZK 38,990 CZK 44,990 CZK iPhone 17 Pro Max – 35,990 CZK 41,990 CZK 47,990 CZK

Pre-orders start on Friday, September 12th, with first deliveries planned for September 19th. Apple surprisingly didn’t raise prices by a single crown – there were speculations about a $50-100 increase. In the Czech Republic, prices are the same as last year. The iPhone 17 Air does not have a 128GB version – Apple correctly concluded that those who want a premium design won’t skimp on storage.

Verdict: Apple is back in form

After years of boring updates, Apple finally delivered. The iPhone 17 Air is a bold experiment that shows the company can still take risks. Pro models address real problems – battery life, overheating, cameras. The base model is finally not stripped down – the 120Hz display should have arrived three years ago, but better late than never.

The biggest question mark hangs over the iPhone 17 Air. For 28 thousand, you get a beautiful phone with compromises, or for 33 thousand, an iPhone 17 Pro without compromises. I bet the Air will be a sales hit – design sells, and Apple knows it. For photographers and power users, the Pro is the clear choice; for the rest, it depends on whether you prefer a thin phone or a large battery.

What do you think of the new iPhones?

Source: Apple conference