We’re now just two weeks away from the Apple iPhone 17 event. Themed “Awe dropping” this year, it’ll be livestreamed on YouTube at 1PM ET from Cupertino. We’ll also have Engadget staff reporting and liveblogging from the event. This year is shaking up to be a departure from recent events, with the strong possibility of an all-new superthin iPhone expected to join the company’s lineup. Also on tap could be new Apple Watch models — including the first truly new Ultra model in two years — and (maybe) the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3.
But toggling back to phones: Apple’s iPhone family will likely welcome a new member this year. The iPhone Air is expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. That bests the thinnest model so far, which was 2014’s iPhone 6, at 6.9 mm. And they’ve only gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) So, the Air would stand out from its peers in that respect. It would also give Apple a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which we found to be more than a gimmick.
But the iPhone Air’s thin design will likely lead to some compromises. It’s rumored to have only a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery. So, expect a stylish phone that… won’t be for everyone.
This is the image that accompanied Apple’s event invitations this year.
(Apple)
The Pro lineup could offer some design tweaks and performance improvements. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to switch from titanium to aluminum. They could also see the rear camera array expand to an entire “island” that extends across most of the phone’s backside. It’s expected to house three cameras (as before), but multiple rumors have suggested it will have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens could jump to 48MP, which would strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The phones may also add an anti-glare coating, similar to those found on iPads.
The standard iPhone 17 could see some welcome display upgrades. At least one supply chain source claimed it will add a 120Hz variable refresh rate (ProMotion) display, which the Pro series has used since 2021.
One thing we know without a doubt is that the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s biggest design refresh in years. It’s easy to imagine the company highlighting the new model’s displays as the best way to experience the new Liquid Glass visual language. As for the naming scheme, there haven’t been any leaks pointing to a similar hardware rebranding (“iPhone 26,” “iPhone 26 Pro,” etc.). But hey, Apple does like surprises.
Engadget’s iPhone 17 rumor roundup gives you a deeper dive into what to expect from the new models.
Apple’s fall event isn’t just for iPhones. The company is also expected to roll out new Apple Watch models. 5G and a processor upgrade are expected for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It may also let you send texts via satellite, handy for those who use it out in the wilderness. Regardless of the details, Apple hasn’t launched a new rugged and premium model since 2023 (apart from a new color), so it’s due for an upgrade.
The Series 11 model is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Series 10. After all, that model introduced a new design, with a thinner body and larger screen. (And Apple has historically kept those around in three-year cycles.). But a faster chip also seems logical. Perhaps we’ll see 5G arrive on the standard wearable, too.
We may also see the AirPods Pro 3 at the event. It’s been about three years since Apple last upgraded its premium earbuds. The new model could also bring some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (maybe) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, although that may not be exclusive to the third-gen model.
Will there be other announcements? Time will tell, but now we know we won’t have to wait long to find out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the answers are just days away.
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