Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series is already creating a lot of buzz, and for many reasons. From sleek design upgrades to new naming changes and potential price increases, there’s a lot happening in the world of Apple right now. Let’s start with the rumoured name change. leaks suggest the latest model might be called the iPhone 17 Air. How do you feel about that? While Apple hasn’t confirmed this, more leaks and rumours has fuelled excitement among Apple fans for what’s to come. So, keep reading to find out some possible new iPhone 17 features and if prices will increase because of recent US tariff updates.

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Ready To Turn Heads With The iPhone 17 Air

Among the four iPhones expected to released this September, the standout is likely to be the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. According to leaks, a prototype image has surfaced, showing off a slim profile, around 5.5mm thick, making it one of the thinnest iPhones yet. Despite the ultra-thin design, it will still feature the familiar MagSafe ring on the back, a side Action Button, volume buttons, and a separate Side Button.

Under The Hood: Power, Memory & Battery Life

The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is expected to run on Apple’s A19 Pro chip, built on a more advanced 3nm process. It may not be the next-gen 2nm chip yet, but it’s still a solid performance and efficiency boost from the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16. Apple is also rumoured to bump up RAM on the Pro models to 12GB, compared to the current 8GB. That means better multitasking and smoother app performance. The regular iPhone 17 and 17 Air may stick with 8GB, though. When it comes to battery life, Apple could be including a larger battery and using easier-to-remove adhesive to make future battery replacements a breeze. Charging speeds, however, might stay the same, capped at 35W wired charging.

Lights, Camera, Action

Interestingly, the new iPhone model may only have one camera – but with the camera island is expected to stretch across the entire width of the phone. All iPhone 17 models may come with a 24MP front camera, a huge step up from the 12MP selfie cam on the iPhone 16 Pro. On the rear, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be the first iPhone to sport three 48MP cameras – including a wide, ultra-wide, and a special periscope-style telephoto lens. These Pro models might also come with a mechanical aperture, letting users tweak light intake for better low-light photos. If true, this would bring smartphone photography even closer to what we see in professional cameras.

Will iPhone Prices Go Up? Here’s What The New Tariffs Could Mean

Now, here’s where things get a bit tricky. Recent tariff decisions from President Trump mean that nearly all imports into the US will face at least a 10% tax, with much steeper rates for countries like China (34%) and India (26%) – both of which are major production hubs for Apple. Starting as of yesterday, Wednesday, April 9, these higher “reciprocal tariffs” will take effect. And what does that mean for Apple customers, you ask? Prices are likely to go up, but by how much is still unclear.

Breaking Down The Potential Price Hikes

Most Apple products, like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and even AirPods, will potentially get more expensive. But the key word to remember here is ‘potentially.’ Apple has suppliers across Asia, including 35 in Vietnam, where many smaller devices like AirPods and Watches are made. Vietnam is facing a whopping 46% tariff, which could seriously impact prices. Some analysts predict dramatic jumps. According to one source, iPhones and Apple Watches might need to cost 43% more just to cover the tariff impact. That would take the $799 iPhone 16 to $1,142, the $999 iPhone 16 Pro up to $1,429, and the Apple Watch Series 10 to $570 from $399.

However, don’t expect Apple to pass the entire cost onto buyers. The company has high profit margins, giving it some breathing room to absorb part of the increase. Experts believe modest price jumps are more likely – think $50 to $100 per device, not $300+. I’ll definitely be keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

What’s Next?

So, should you expect higher price tags for the iPhone 17? Most likely, yes. But Apple might focus the increases on brand-new models like upcoming Macs, while keeping older models affordable.

Be sure to stay tuned to Gulf Buzz, as we’ll keep updated when the iPhone 17 is ready to drop.