iPhone 17 could debut in Vietnam on Sept. 19

By Hoai Anh August 12, 2025 | 03:41 pm PT

Vietnam could be among the first batch of countries to get the iPhone 17 starting Sept. 19 alongside major markets such as the U.S. and Singapore.

Some retail chains reported they have been asked to prepare for both scenarios: selling in the first batch or the second like last year. "No final decision has been made, but the first-wave launch plan has been getting more attention recently," one retailer said.

Germany’s iPhone Ticker reports that local carriers expect the new iPhone to launch on Sept. 9. Apple typically starts sales on the Friday following the launch, which will be the 19th.

First owners of the iPhone 16 in Vietnam, September 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quang Anh

Apple Insider said the company is likely to avoid Sept. 11, making the 9th the most probable date. iPhones are usually launched first in markets with physical Apple Stores, and Vietnam only has an online store.

But distributors said this is not a strict rule and believe Apple could prioritize Vietnam for the iPhone 17 following its strong sales performance in recent years. In 2023 and 2024 the iPhone 15 and 16 launched in Vietnam just one week after the earliest global markets.

Vietnam is now among the fastest growing iPhone markets, with launch-day revenues topping VND1 trillion (US$38 million).

iPhone 17 Pro concept design. Photo from Instagram

Ming-chi Kuo, an analyst at TF Securities, said this could be the last year Apple unveils all of its models at the same time, which this will include the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the ultra-thin 17 Air.

Starting next year the launch would be split into two phases, with the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and 18 Air coming in September and the iPhone 18 and 18e in early 2027, he said.

According to insiders, the 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a change back to the old aluminum body. Besides, the square camera module will be replaced by a rectangular one that spans the entire width of the phone like in the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

This large camera bar will keep the triangular layout with three lenses on the left. The LED flash, microphone and Lidar sensor will move to the right in a vertical arrangement.

The phones will be equipped with the A19 Pro chip, 12 GB of RAM, a 48-megapixel telephoto lens and a 24-megapixel front camera.