Apple has launched the iPhone 17, introducing a redesigned front camera system, upgraded display, and the latest A19 processor. The new smartphone will be available in Singapore and more than 60 countries from September 19, with pre-orders opening on September 12.

Focus on cameras and display

The iPhone 17 debuts Apple’s new Centre Stage front camera, a square sensor designed to capture both portrait and landscape selfies without rotating the phone. The 18-megapixel camera uses artificial intelligence to automatically expand the frame for group shots and stabilises video calls.

At the rear, the iPhone 17 features an all-48MP camera system for the first time. The main camera includes an optical-quality 2x telephoto function, while the ultra-wide lens promises four times the resolution of the previous model, allowing for improved wide-angle and macro photography.

The handset also supports 4K HDR video recording at 60 frames per second, Dolby Vision, and spatial audio. Apple confirmed that users can capture spatial photos and videos for playback on its mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro.

On the display front, the iPhone 17 offers a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen with ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling and gaming. With peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits and reduced glare, Apple says the display is its most readable yet. A new Ceramic Shield 2 coating promises three times better scratch resistance.

Powered by A19 chip and iOS 26

The iPhone 17 runs on Apple’s A19 chip, built on a 3-nanometre process. The processor features a six-core CPU and a five-core GPU, delivering up to twice the graphics performance compared with the iPhone 13’s A15 chip. The A19 also integrates neural accelerators to support Apple’s new on-device artificial intelligence features.

Apple claims the iPhone 17 offers up to 30 hours of video playback, eight more than its predecessor, and can charge to 50 per cent in 20 minutes using a new 40W USB-C power adapter.

The device ships with iOS 26, which introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of generative AI tools for translation, visual search, and call screening. Apple Intelligence will launch in beta, initially supporting nine languages including English, French, Chinese, and Japanese, with more to follow later this year.

Availability and pricing

The iPhone 17 will be available in five colours — lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black — with storage options of 256GB and 512GB. Prices in Singapore start at S$1,299.

Apple’s trade-in programme will offer up to S$1,240 in credits for eligible devices. Accessories such as silicone cases (S$75), a crossbody strap (S$89), and the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (S$59) will also be available.

Pre-orders

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 open on September 12, with general availability from September 19. A wider rollout to 22 additional countries is scheduled for September 26. iOS 26 will be released as a free software update on September 15.