What to anticipate at Apple’s iPhone 17 occasion

We’re doubtless solely round a month away (give or take) from Apple’s next iPhone launch event. This 12 months’s shindig might see the thinnest iPhone up to now becoming a member of the iPhone 17 lineup. Additionally on faucet may very well be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary Extremely mannequin in two years — and (perhaps) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.

Apple’s iPhone household will doubtless welcome a brand new member this 12 months. The iPhone Air is expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. The thinnest mannequin thus far has been 2014’s iPhone 6, at 6.9 mm. And so they’ve solely gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) So, the Air would stand out from its friends in that respect. It could additionally give Apple a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which we discovered to be more than a gimmick.

However the iPhone Air’s skinny design will doubtless result in some compromises. It is rumored to have solely a single 48 MP digital camera and a smaller battery. So, anticipate a classy cellphone that… will not be for everybody.

The Professional lineup might supply some design tweaks and efficiency enhancements. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max are rumored to change from titanium to aluminum. They may additionally see the rear digital camera array increase to a whole “island” that extends throughout many of the cellphone’s bottom. It is anticipated to accommodate three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have urged it can have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might jump to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones may additionally add an anti-glare coating, much like these found on iPads.

The usual iPhone 17 might see some welcome show upgrades. At the very least one provide chain supply claimed it can add a 120Hz variable refresh charge (ProMotion) show, which the Professional collection has used since 2021.

One factor we all know surely is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s biggest design refresh in years. It is simple to think about the corporate highlighting the brand new mannequin’s shows as the easiest way to expertise the brand new Liquid Glass visible language. As for the naming scheme, there have not been any leaks pointing to an analogous {hardware} rebranding (“iPhone 26,” “iPhone 26 Professional,” and many others.). However hey, Apple does like surprises.

Engadget’s iPhone 17 rumor roundup provides you a deeper dive into what to anticipate from the brand new fashions.

Apple’s fall occasion is not only for iPhones. The corporate can also be anticipated to roll out new Apple Watch fashions. 5G and a processor improve are expected for the Apple Watch Extremely 3. It could additionally allow you to ship texts through satellite tv for pc, useful for individuals who use it out within the wilderness. Whatever the particulars, Apple hasn’t launched a brand new rugged and premium mannequin since 2023 (aside from a new color), so it is due for an improve.

The Collection 11 mannequin is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Collection 10. In spite of everything, that mannequin launched a brand new design, with a thinner body and larger screen. (And Apple has traditionally stored these round in three-year cycles.). However a sooner chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.

We may additionally see the AirPods Professional 3 on the occasion. It has been about three years since Apple final upgraded its premium earbuds. The brand new mannequin might additionally convey some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (perhaps) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, though that is probably not unique to the third-gen mannequin.