Apple’s 2025 Lineup: iPhone 17 Series and iPhone Air Take the Spotlight

Apple’s 2025 keynote introduced some of the most exciting updates to its smartphone lineup yet. The company unveiled the iPhone 17 series along with the slimmest iPhone in history, the iPhone Air. Both arrivals bring new design upgrades, modern colors, and significant performance jumps thanks to the latest processors.

As part of this refresh, Apple has also reshuffled its online store offerings. Some older iPhone models have quietly disappeared, signaling the company’s focus on its newest generation of devices.

Which iPhones Did Apple Remove From the Store?

Shortly after the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air launch, three models were delisted from Apple’s online store worldwide, including India:

• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 (base model)

These phones are no longer available directly from Apple, but they haven’t been fully discontinued. Consumers can still purchase them through authorized Apple resellers, e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart, and partner retail stores until stocks run out.

Apple Intelligence and Its Role in the Lineup

One of the biggest talking points from this launch cycle is Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI-powered system that blends generative models with personal context.

Interestingly, among the removed devices, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max were the only ones to include Apple Intelligence. With their removal, Apple Intelligence now remains available only on:

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone Air

This shift further highlights Apple’s intention to tie its AI features closely with the latest generation, encouraging customers to adopt newer models for a more advanced experience.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone Air: Key Highlights

The latest lineup introduces both performance and design changes across the board:

• iPhone 17 (base model)
  Powered by the A19 chipset
  Offers a 20% performance boost over the previous A18
  Positioned as the flagship choice for most users
• iPhone 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max
  Run on the more powerful A19 Pro processor
  Deliver up to 40% faster performance
  Come with premium features and improved camera systems
• iPhone Air
  The thinnest iPhone ever released
  Lightweight and stylish with fresh color finishes
  Also powered by the A19 Pro processor, making it as fast as the Pro models
  Aimed at users who want portability without compromising on performance

Why Apple Phases Out Older Models

Every year, Apple carefully curates its lineup after launching new devices. Removing older models serves a few purposes:

1. Streamlined product range – prevents confusion for customers browsing the store.
2. Push toward innovation – ensures features like Apple Intelligence are tied to the latest hardware.
3. Boosts demand – focuses attention on new products, especially those with unique selling points like the A19 Pro chip and slimmer designs.

For buyers who still want an older iPhone at a lower price, this period right after a launch is usually the best time to grab one from retailers before stocks deplete.