What to anticipate at Apple’s iPhone 17 occasion

We’re possible solely round a month away (give or take) from Apple’s next iPhone launch event. This yr’s shindig might see the thinnest iPhone up to now becoming a member of the iPhone 17 lineup. Additionally on faucet could possibly 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 possible welcome a brand new member this yr. The iPhone Air is expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. The thinnest mannequin to date has been 2014’s iPhone 6, at 6.9 mm. They usually’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 possible result in some compromises. It is rumored to have solely a single 48 MP digicam and a smaller battery. So, count on a classy telephone 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 digicam array increase to a whole “island” that extends throughout a lot of the telephone’s bottom. It is anticipated to accommodate three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have recommended it can have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might jump to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones can also add an anti-glare coating, just like these found on iPads.

The usual iPhone 17 might see some welcome show upgrades. At the 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 for sure 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 the same {hardware} rebranding (“iPhone 26,” “iPhone 26 Professional,” and so forth.). However hey, Apple does like surprises.

Engadget’s iPhone 17 rumor roundup offers 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 might additionally allow you to ship texts through satellite tv for pc, useful for many 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 saved these round in three-year cycles.). However a quicker chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.

We can also 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 will not be unique to the third-gen mannequin.