Apple iPhone 17 Launch: Slimmer Design, A19 Chip, New Air Model, and More Unveiled
Apple is set to unveil its latest lineup of devices at the highly anticipated “Awe dropping” event on September 9th. While the iPhone 17 series will be the centerpiece, the company may introduce several new products, including a thinner iPhone model, updated smartwatches, and possibly new AirPods and Vision Pro accessories. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a distinctive design with prominent camera bars on the back, housing three 48-megapixel sensors. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts these models will include an upgraded 24MP front camera, a more powerful A19 Pro chip, and 12GB of RAM—up from 8GB on the iPhone 16. The Pro Max may also have a slightly thicker profile to accommodate a larger battery, according to leaker Ice Universe. There are rumors that Apple could shift from titanium to a lighter aluminum chassis for the Pro models, which could also come in silver, black, navy blue, and orange. One of the most anticipated new entries is the iPhone 17 Air—a slimmed-down, ultra-thin model rumored to be as thin as 5.5mm with a 6.6-inch ProMotion display and Dynamic Island. It’s expected to feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera in a Pixel-style bump, the A19 chip, and Apple’s first in-house modem. However, this modem may not support mmWave 5G. The iPhone 17 Air likely won’t have a physical SIM slot, but it could include the Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16. Despite its thin profile, Apple is said to have maintained battery life comparable to current models. Pricing is expected around $900, with color options including black, silver, gold, and light blue. The base iPhone 17 is expected to see internal upgrades rather than major design changes. It may feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and the same A19 processor. The iPhone 17 Plus may not return this year, with the iPhone 17 Air potentially replacing it. The base model could launch at $800 and be available in multiple colors, including pink, green, blue, white, and black. Apple is also expected to introduce three new Apple Watches. The Watch Ultra 3 may feature a larger display and support for satellite texting, allowing messages without Wi-Fi or cellular. Both the Ultra 3 and the new Watch Series 11 are expected to include 5G RedCap support and a new health feature that alerts users to potential high blood pressure. The Apple Watch SE 3 will get a refreshed design but likely retain its aluminum casing, as Apple’s design team reportedly finds plastic alternatives unappealing and difficult to produce affordably. The AirPods Pro 3 may debut with a new H3 chip and a smaller, simplified charging case without a pairing button. A redesigned earbud shape is also rumored, though details remain uncertain. Other potential announcements include a second-generation Vision Pro headset with an M4 or M5 chip and a new ergonomic strap to reduce neck strain. An M5-powered iPad Pro could also arrive this year with front and rear cameras in both portrait and landscape orientations. Finally, Apple may provide updates on Apple Intelligence, including the long-delayed AI-powered Siri, possibly powered by an external model from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google. The full details of these features are still under wraps, but the September 9th event promises to deliver a range of exciting new technology.
