Apple iPhone buying guide for 2025: iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro — Which new iPhone model should you buy and why

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup marks one of the most significant shake-ups in recent iPhone history. Gone is the Plus model, replaced by something entirely new: the ultra-thin iPhone Air. Combined with refreshed standard and Pro models, you've got four distinct options, each with its own personality and purpose.The big question isn't whether you should upgrade—these phones pack serious improvements across the board. It's which one matches your lifestyle, budget, and priorities. Let's break down each model to help you make the right choice.

iPhone 17: Starts at Rs 82,900

Who it's for: Most people looking for a reliable, feature-rich iPhone without breaking the bank.The base iPhone 17 is more compelling than ever, finally bringing ProMotion's silky-smooth 120Hz display to the non-Pro crowd.

That alone makes scrolling through social media, gaming, and general use feel noticeably more premium. The 6.3-inch screen hits the sweet spot for one-handed use while still giving you plenty of real estate.Camera-wise, you're getting the new Center Stage front camera that can shoot landscape selfies without rotating your phone—perfect for group shots and video calls. The dual 48MP rear system (Main and Ultra Wide) captures sharp photos with impressive detail, especially in good lighting.

While it lacks the telephoto zoom of the Pro models, the 2x optical quality zoom from the main sensor covers most casual photography needs.Battery life clocks in at 30 hours of video playback, which should easily get you through a full day of typical use. The A19 chip provides snappy performance that'll stay relevant for years to come.The price has gone up from last year, but you're now getting 256GB as the base storage—something that would have cost you significantly more in the previous generation.The iPhone 17 comes in five colours—black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.Skip if: You need multiple zoom options, want the absolute best camera system, or crave cutting-edge design.

iPhone Air: Starts at Rs 1,19,900

Who it's for: Design-conscious users who want something genuinely different and don't mind some trade-offs.The iPhone Air is Apple's boldest design move in years. At just 5.6mm thick, it's impossibly thin—the kind of device that makes people do double-takes.

The titanium build feels premium while keeping weight down, and the larger 6.5-inch display offers more screen space than the standard iPhone 17.Here's where it gets interesting: Apple packed three custom chips inside this ultra-thin frame. The A19 Pro delivers flagship performance, the N1 chip handles Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the C1X cellular modem is both faster and more power-efficient. It's a technical marvel that proves Apple's engineering prowess.The trade-offs are real, though. You get just one rear camera (albeit a versatile 48MP Fusion lens), and it's eSIM-only—no physical SIM card slot. Battery life drops to 27 hours, though that's still solid for such a thin device.Rs 1,19,900 might seem a lot for what Air has on offer, but it’s the price you pay for this experience. iPhone Air comes in four finishes - sky blue, light gold, cloud white, and space black.Skip if: You frequently use multiple cameras for photography, travel internationally with local SIM cards, or need maximum battery life.

iPhone 17 Pro: Starts at Rs 1,34,900

Who it's for: Photography enthusiasts, content creators, and power users who want flagship features in a manageable size.The iPhone 17 Pro gets a dramatic redesign centred around performance and cameras. The new aluminium unibody with an internal vapor chamber keeps the A19 Pro chip running cool under heavy loads—crucial for sustained video recording and gaming. The raised plateau on the back houses improved components while making room for a larger battery.Camera capabilities are where this phone truly shines. The triple 48MP system includes a new telephoto with 8x optical zoom—the longest reach ever on an iPhone. The updated Photonic Engine uses machine learning for better detail preservation and colour accuracy. Professional video features like ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock support make this a legitimate tool for serious content creation.The 6.3-inch display maintains the Pro series' premium feel while being easier to handle than the Max.

Despite the compact size, battery life stretches to an impressive 39 hours thanks to the internal redesign and efficient A19 Pro.Sure, it costs more than last year's model, but the 256GB starting storage means you're actually getting better value than if you'd upgraded to higher storage on the iPhone 16 Pro.The hero colour for the Pro iPhone this year is the cosmic orange. Then, there are two other colours as well: deep blue, and silver.

Sadly, no black colour for the Pro iPhone this year. Skip if: You rarely use advanced camera features, prefer the largest possible screen, or want to save money on a still-excellent iPhone 17.

iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starts at Rs 1,49,900

Who it's for: Users who want the absolute best iPhone experience and don't mind the size and price premium.The Pro Max shares most features with the regular Pro but supersizes them. The massive 6.9-inch display is perfect for media consumption, productivity, and gaming.

Peak brightness hits 3,000 nits—bright enough to see clearly even in direct sunlight—with 2x better outdoor contrast than previous generations.Performance matches the Pro thanks to the same A19 Pro chip and vapor chamber cooling system. The identical camera system captures the same stunning photos and professional-grade video. Battery life remains at 39 hours despite the larger screen, showing how efficient Apple's new design really is.For the first time, you can get 2TB of storage—serious overkill for most users but perfect for professionals shooting loads of ProRes video or keeping massive photo libraries locally.This is where the price is really up. You should see price for the 2TB storage option.The colour options for the Pro Max are the same as the Pro one.Skip if: You find large phones unwieldy, want to save $100 over the Pro, or don't need the extra screen real estate.

Which new iPhone should you buy this year?

The iPhone 17 series offers something for everyone, with each model having a clear purpose and target audience. Consider how you actually use your phone, what features matter most, and whether the premium models' advantages justify their higher prices. Any of these four phones will serve you well for years to come—the question is which one fits your life best. And if the iPhone 17 lineup or the Air feels too premium, don't overlook the iPhone 16 ( Rs 69,900) or iPhone 16e (Rs 59,900), which still offer excellent performance and cameras at more accessible price points.