iPhone 17 release date in Australia + all the latest rumours

Apple has finally locked in a date to unveil the new iPhone 17 lineup, which we're betting includes a super-slim 'Air' model.

The invites are out for Apple's next big event, just as we're catching our breath after Google's Pixel 10 series reveal and Samsung's announcement of the new Galaxy S25 FE.

Here's everything you need to know, including the release date for the iPhone 17 series and the latest rumours buzzing around.

When is the iPhone 17 launching in Australia?

Whether you're an Apple loyalist or simply curious about the new iPhone 17 models, you might be in for a late night or a very early wakeup call.

Apple's event is set for 10 September 2025 at 3am AEST, but there's very little to go beyond expecting an 'Awe dropping' spectacle.

You will be able to stream the event live on Apple's website.

Based on previous timelines, pre-orders are expected to go live the same week, on a late Friday evening (12 September).

We can expect the usual slew of retailers to be running pre-orders, hopefully with some great trade-in deals at the very least.

This includes the likes of Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone if you want the iPhone 17 on a plan, or Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, and Officeworks, to name a few, if you want to buy outright.

How much will the iPhone 17 series cost?

It's expected that we'll be seeing a price bump across the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple's justification will likely be new features and design changes, which we'll chat about in just a bit. There are also the US tariffs to consider.

According to MacRumours, Jeffries analyst Edison Lee believes it could be around a USD$50 price hike across the board.

It remains to be seen how this will translate to Australian prices, but here's a look at how much the iPhone 16 lineup costs to use as a benchmark.

Keep in mind, the iPhone 16 Plus will likely be phased out in favour of the iPhone 17 Air, which we believe will be priced higher than the base model but lower than the Pro models.

iPhone 17 rumours and leaks

The online rumour mill is absolutely buzzing, especially with the iPhone 17 launch just around the corner.

Here are some of the highlights of what we've heard so far:

1. 1. The iPhone lineup will look a bit different this year: As mentioned, we're expecting Apple to launch the new iPhone 17 Air, with leaks suggesting it could measure between 5-6mm in thickness. It's going to be its slimmest phone to date and will put it in direct competition with Samsung's S25 Edge, which is 5.8mm thick. This might come at the cost of battery life, but that's to be determined. You may also only see a single rear camera lens, based on renders that you can check out on Macworld.

   2. 120Hz displays for the iPhone 17 and 17 Air: This might be a big one, as per MacRumors! A 120Hz refresh rate means your screen updates 120 times per second. It's been a sticking point for Apple users on the base model, especially since other phones at this price have offered it for a while. Apple has stuck to 60Hz for years, but hopefully that changes this time around.

   3. Camera panel changes on the Pro models: Based on the Powering On newsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max don't have wildly different designs from last year's models unless you consider the revamped camera system (more on that in a sec) and the 'updated industrial design on the back of the phone'. Instead of the camera panel being a square, it'll stretch the width of the phone.

   4. Upgraded camera specs: According to Mashable, the selfie camera may be upgraded from 12 megapixels (MP) to a 24MP selfie lens. It's also expected that the Pro models will have a trio of 48MP lenses. The telephoto lens has only ever been 12MP before, so this should be a noticeable lift in specs.

   5. iPhone 17 colours: This one's always a favourite topic for rumours. Based on a report from Macworld, Apple's been experimenting with purple and green versions of the iPhone 17 base model. The iPhone 17 Air will likely come in a shade of light blue, and the iPhone 17 Pro models will have two new colours: dark blue and copper (almost orange-like). Lastly, instead of Space Grey, it appears Apple will launch a new Steel Grey colour.

   6. Larger screen for the iPhone 17 base model: There's a good chance it'll receive a screen size boost to 6.3 inches, up from the iPhone 16's 6.1 inches. It should then be similar in size to the current iPhone 16 Pro model.

   7. Reverse wireless charging: According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max could feature a new reverse wireless charging capability, which could allow you to charge your AirPods, Apple Watch or even another iPhone using either of the to-be-launched Pro models.

Those are some of the key rumours around the iPhone 17 series, and we'll keep updating as more leaks come in. Oh, and if you're curious about Apple's foldable, it's likely not arriving until September 2026.