Happy new iPhone day to all who celebrate. After months of anticipation and rumours swirling around, Apple has finally unveiled its new smartphone series with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air.
Pre-orders for each model are now live at retailers including Sky Mobile[1], EE, Mobiles.co.uk[2], Vodafone[3], Three[4], Amazon[5] and Apple[6] ahead of their release on Friday, September 19. Technology Editor Dave Snelling was at Apple’s launch event in California earlier this week and got his hands on arguably the most striking member of the iPhone 17 family, the iPhone Air[7].
He said: “This is Apple’s thinnest ever smartphone and it really has the wow factor. Along with a wafer-thin design, the Air is supremely powerful thanks to the A19 Pro chip, and it’s made of very tough stuff thanks to its Titanium design. There’s sure to be a lot of excitement when it arrives in stores next week.”
The iPhone 17 range launches alongside the new Apple Watch Series 11[8] and AirPods Pro 3[9], which are available to pre-order ahead of next week’s launch. Our team of tech writers are covering the iPhone 17 launch live and will have all the key information shoppers need to find the best deal on each model.
Apple’s switch to eSIM
Apple[10] has done away with the traditional SIM card for the iPhone Air and replaced it with an eSIM. Essentially, the phone doesn’t use a physical SIM, rather a digital one.
While UK models of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max[11] are compatible with both a physical SIM and eSIM, Apple has removed the Air’s SIM slot in place of a larger battery. This is said to offer ‘greater flexibility, better security, and seamless connectivity compared to physical SIM cards’.
On its eSIM iPhones, Apple said: “These feature an even larger battery, taking advantage of the space formerly occupied by the physical SIM to provide two additional hours of video playback. eSIM also makes staying connected while traveling even more convenient, allowing continued connectivity through affordable international roaming plans.”
Limited availability at Amazon
It’s looking like Amazon[12] has limited stock of the iPhone 17 series, with several variants listed as ‘currently unavailable’. While shoppers can pre-order models such as the Space Black Apple iPhone Air 256GB[13] (£999) and Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro 256GB[14] (£1,099), there’s currently no option to buy the Silver iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB[15] (£1,199) or the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max 1TB[16] (£1,599).
EE unveils iPhone 17 Pro deals and major network upgrade
As well as offering the iPhone 17 Pro at competitive prices, EE also has extensive network coverage, perfect for those who need to stay connected wherever they are. Prices start at £69.29 a month with a £30 upfront cost[17] for the iPhone 17 Pro, which is significantly more expensive than other carriers on our list.
However, this comes with unlimited data, texts and data[18] with the Unlimited Essentials plan with speeds of up to 100mbps when it comes to data speed. EE is also rolling out some major upgrades, with millions of people set to benefit from faster, more reliable 5G connectivity thanks to the ‘world-first launch’ of Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC) technology.
This allows nearby mobile sites to pair remotely and share capacity, resulting in faster, more consistent performance.
Three Mobile pre-order contract deals are in
Three Mobile has unveiled its pre-order contract tariffs[19] for the iPhone 17 launch. There are four contracts to choose from, with prices beginning from £42.13 per month (there are upfront phone costs for all of them).
iPhone 17 256GB, from £42.13 per month:
Unlimited data, calls and texts for £30 upfront cost
Save up to £400 when a customer trades in an iPhone 15 Pro 512GB
iPhone Air 256GB, from £47.87 per month:
Unlimited data, calls and texts for £40 upfront cost
Save up to £400 when a customer trades in an iPhone 15 Pro 512GB
iPhone 17 Pro 256GB, from £50.89 per month:
Unlimited data, calls and texts for £40 upfront cost
Save up to £400 when a customer trades in an iPhone 15 Pro 512GB
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB, from £53.64 per month:
Unlimited data, calls and texts for £50 upfront cost
Save up to £400 when a customer trades in an iPhone 15 Pro 512GB
Sky Mobile prices are in
Sky Mobile’s iPhone 17 prices are in, starting with the iPhone 17 from £25[20], iPhone 17 Pro from £35[21], iPhone 17 Pro Max from £38[22], as well as the iPhone Air from £32[23]. There’s also nothing to pay upfront on any of the 256GB variants.
Keep in mind these prices cover the phone and a 100MB data allowance, so shoppers may want to upgrade to options such as 1GB for £1, 10GB for £10 or 60GB for £14. This means a new iPhone 17 with 10GB of data costs £35 per month.
Sky customers can also get up to £560 when trading in an old phone[24], depending on the make, model and condition.
Join the queue
Pre-orders may be live, but thousands of Sky Mobile[25] shoppers are being held in a queue to secure their iPhone 17 order.
Pre-orders are open!
Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 are open!
Apple has pre-orders open right here[26] to jump on if you’re buying directly. We’ll let you know of other stores and where to buy very soon.
Less than 10 minutes before pre-orders open
Excited?
Because we are!
Pre-orders for the new iPhone 17 will open soon (1 p.m.) on Apple’s website and other retailers. We expect there to be some technical hitches but don’t give up!
Choosing the best contract
In just a short time we’re going to be inundated with iPhone 17 prices, with shoppers spoiled for choice with pre-order options. So what key things should you consider when committing to a contract?
According to Catherine Hiley, gadget expert at Go.Compare Mobile, it’s about much more than just the model.
“You also need to consider how much data you need,” she said. “While unlimited data sounds like a great idea, it’s almost always the priciest option and the vast majority of users simply don’t need it. Check your current network usage to see how much data you get through each month before signing up for your new contract to ensure you’re not paying for more than you’ll use.”
What can we expect from the iPhone 17 Pro?
This year, the iPhone 17 Pro has a lot of changes on the device which might tempt buyers to rush out and pre-order.
Apple is now offering an orange iPhone Pro model, compared to the usual boring black and grey. Apple also claims it has the best battery ever on an iPhone.
It also has three unique-looking cameras with a design that pulls away from the usual iPhone design we’ve come to love.
Pre-orders will open at 1pm and we’ll let you know where and how to buy.
iPhone 17 prices we know so far
We’re still waiting for networks like EE, Sky Mobile and Vodafone to confirm their contract prices, but what we do know is that buying the iPhone 17 outright from Apple[27] costs £799, rising to £1,099 for the Pro and £1,199 for the Pro Max.
The new iPhone Air comes in at £999. We’d expect these prices to be the same across the board at major retailers including Amazon[28].
Register your interest for a £20 gift card
We’re almost 30 minutes away from pre-orders going live, but shoppers can still register their interest at Mobiles.co.uk and get a £20 Currys gift card[29]. While the retailer is yet to reveal it’s prices, anyone who registers their interest and then secures a pre-order on the site will receive the £20 bonus.
The iPhone 17, ‘a solid smartphone at a reasonable price’
More from our Technology Editor Dave Snelling, who was at the iPhone 17 launch in California earlier this week. He said that, while the iPhone Air has grabbed the headlines this week, his money is on the standard iPhone 17.
“This is now a feature-packed device that fixes many of the gripes I’ve had with previous Apple smartphones,” Dave said. “It finally gets a ProMotion 120Hz screen for speedy scrolling (something only available on Pro models before), there’s a better front and rear camera system, it has faster charging and a more robust design that is covered in the latest Ceramic Shield Glass 2.
“There’s now 256GB of storage as standard – double the amount in the entry-level iPhone 16 and it has the improved A19 processor. You get all this for £799 – that’s £200 less than the Air.”
“The iPhone Air will get everyone talking, but if you want a solid smartphone at a reasonable price, my money is firmly on the iPhone 17. “
Catch up on all the newest features
If you missed the launch event, then here are all the newest features, from a brand new iPhone 17 Air – which is thinner than ever – to translation updates on the new AirPods Pro3.
Where to buy the new Apple iPhone 17?
It’s iPhone 17 launch day, UK retailers are adding Apple’s newest range of smartphones to their stock. In a little less than an hour, at 1pm, fans will be able to pre-order the new devices.
Where can I buy the new device?
References
- ^ Sky Mobile (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Mobiles.co.uk (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Vodafone (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Three (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Amazon (amzn.to)
- ^ Apple (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ iPhone Air (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Apple Watch Series 11 (amzn.to)
- ^ AirPods Pro 3 (amzn.to)
- ^ Apple (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Amazon (amzn.to)
- ^ Space Black Apple iPhone Air 256GB (amzn.to)
- ^ Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro 256GB (amzn.to)
- ^ Silver iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (amzn.to)
- ^ Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max 1TB (amzn.to)
- ^ £69.29 a month with a £30 upfront cost (www.awin1.com)
- ^ this comes with unlimited data, texts and data (www.awin1.com)
- ^ pre-order contract tariffs (www.awin1.com)
- ^ iPhone 17 from £25 (www.awin1.com)
- ^ iPhone 17 Pro from £35 (www.awin1.com)
- ^ iPhone 17 Pro Max from £38 (www.awin1.com)
- ^ iPhone Air from £32 (www.awin1.com)
- ^ £560 when trading in an old phone (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Sky Mobile (www.awin1.com)
- ^ pre-orders open right here (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Apple (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Amazon (amzn.to)
- ^ register their interest at Mobiles.co.uk and get a £20 Currys gift card (www.awin1.com)