Apple is now only a few short days away from unveiling its newest generation of iPhones at the company’s highly anticipated “Awe dropping” showcase scheduled for September 9th. Unlike previous releases that occasionally leaned toward modest updates in raw specifications, this year’s launch appears set to present more dramatic advancements. Industry whispers and persistent leaks indicate that Apple may be preparing to introduce an extraordinarily slim addition to its smartphone lineup—potentially one of the thinnest devices the company has ever engineered—alongside the more traditional members of the upgraded iPhone 17 family.
Although the spotlight of the event will almost certainly be centered on the iPhone 17 series—and especially the Pro iterations—Apple is also expected to intersperse the presentation with other noteworthy product announcements. In addition to the standard next-generation flagship handsets, the unveiling may extend to other categories within Apple’s hardware ecosystem, reinforcing the company’s reputation for weaving multiple innovations together at a single launch.
### Enhanced Cameras and Hardware for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
Leaked prototypes and design renderings attributed to industry insiders such as Majin Bu immediately showcase one of the most visible differences in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. These prototypes reveal prominent camera bars, drawing aesthetic comparisons to Google’s Pixel series. Embedded within these pronounced housings will reportedly be three 48-megapixel sensors, a significant and unified leap in imaging capability, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Such a hardware arrangement underscores Apple’s continued emphasis on professional-grade photography, with improved low-light performance, broader dynamic range, and higher resolution promising to be at the core of the experience.
Apart from the rear cameras, the front-facing photographic suite is rumored to receive a major upgrade as well. The iPhone 17 Pro family may ship with an enhanced 24-megapixel selfie camera, targeted at users who increasingly rely on iPhones for not only photography but videography and livestreaming. Driving these capabilities will be the introduction of the powerful A19 Pro silicon, paired with up to 12GB of memory—an appreciable boost over the 8GB ceiling of the iPhone 16. Together, these advancements suggest heightened multitasking headroom, improved graphics rendering, and a smoother overall user experience.
Another intriguing rumor from Ice Universe suggests the iPhone 17 Pro Max may carry a slightly thicker chassis, deliberately designed to accommodate an expanded battery. This could answer one of the most enduring demands from power users: longer endurance without compromise. Meanwhile, material choices may evolve as well. Where recent Pro models have showcased titanium builds, Apple may now shift towards aluminum. This transition could provide a lighter in-hand feel while retaining durability. Supporting mock-ups circulated by leaker Sonny Dickson highlight a potential color roster of silver, black, navy blue, and a striking orange, broadening both classic and bold aesthetic options.
### The Ultra-Slim iPhone Air Concept
Perhaps the most radical development in this cycle is the purported arrival of an entirely new model line—the iPhone 17 Air. Historically, Apple reserved the “Air” label for ultra-portable MacBooks and tablets distinguished by thinness and minimal weight. Reports now hint that the defining design philosophy is being transposed to the smartphone category. According to Bloomberg, this model may measure an astonishingly slim 5.5 millimeters in thickness while carrying a 6.6-inch display equipped with high-refresh-rate ProMotion technology and a Dynamic Island interface.
Maintaining a minimalist composition, the iPhone 17 Air apparently opts for a single 48-megapixel rear camera contained within a Pixel-like bar. Powered by the A19 processor and Apple’s first in-house modem, the device could make notable trade-offs. This proprietary chip will reportedly not yet support the ultra-fast mmWave strand of 5G connectivity, though it should handle other spectrum bands adequately. The streamlined design also implies that the physical SIM card slot may be abandoned entirely in favor of eSIM technology. Nevertheless, it is expected to integrate Apple’s latest Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16.
Initial speculation cast doubt on whether engineering such a thin profile would necessitate reduced battery performance. However, Bloomberg’s subsequent reports claim Apple has innovated sufficiently to bring the battery life up to par with current iPhone generations, dispelling fears of excessive compromise. With a projected price point of roughly $900, the iPhone 17 Air could become a luxury offering targeted at consumers prioritizing exceptional aesthetics and portability. Potential finishes include black, silver, gold, and light blue, enabling Apple to appeal to both traditional and fashion-forward buyers.
### Anticipated Display Upgrades on the iPhone 17
Turning to the baseline iPhone 17, design changes are expected to be subtle compared to its predecessor, yet meaningful internal advancements could make the upgrade worthwhile. Reports from South Korean publication The Elec suggest the addition of a 120Hz ProMotion display for the standard model, thereby offering the smoother scrolling and animations previously confined to higher-tier models. Analyst Ross Young additionally forecasts an increase in size to approximately 6.3 inches, giving users slightly more screen real estate. As with the other models, the A19 processor is slated to power the device, ensuring consistency across the lineup.
In terms of structure, Apple may streamline its product segmentation by eliminating the “Plus” variant altogether. The rumored iPhone 17 Air is poised to become its conceptual replacement, leaving the family structure more concise while retaining diversity in design. Pricing for the iPhone 17 may hover around $800, with prospective colors spanning pink, green, blue, white, and black.
### Apple Watch Innovations: The Ultra 3 and Beyond
Beyond smartphones, Apple will reportedly showcase its next series of wearables during the event. A particularly significant entry is expected to be the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This premium smartwatch may feature both a slightly larger display and support for satellite texting, allowing communication in remote locations devoid of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Such enhancements highlight Apple’s goal of transforming the Ultra line into a critical companion for adventurers, athletes, and professionals who operate outside conventional network access.
Additional updates may include an overhauled modem within both the Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3. Reports suggest these will support 5G RedCap, marking a new phase in connectivity standards for wearables. Moreover, upcoming watchOS software may integrate a health-focused feature designed to alert users when patterns suggest the onset of high blood pressure. The Ultra 3 could boast a higher-resolution display measured at 422 by 514 pixels, thereby enhancing readability and usability.
The more economical Apple Watch SE 3 is also being prepared. Although rumors previously speculated on a shift to cheaper plastic housings, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman clarified that Apple’s design and operations teams rejected the alternative due to both aesthetics and cost-efficiency considerations. As such, the SE 3 will continue with aluminum construction, albeit with refreshed design lines. On the performance front, leaked code indicates that the entire watch lineup—the Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3—will share the new S11 system-in-package, which is anticipated to offer improvements in efficiency even though it is structurally similar to the processors in the Series 9 and 10.
### AirPods Pro 3 with Health-Oriented Features
Another update anticipated at—or near—the September event is Apple’s third generation of AirPods Pro. Among the most transformative rumored features is integrated heart-rate monitoring, a capability already introduced in the Powerbeats Pro 2. By embedding such a biometric sensor into the flagship earbuds, Apple would expand the role of AirPods beyond immersive audio into the realm of health and fitness.
Further improvements may include a redesigned charging case, potentially smaller in form factor and stripped of the traditional pairing button. This would bring it in line with the minimalist approach seen in recent AirPods 4 cases. Radical design revisions for the AirPods themselves were also hinted at in Bloomberg’s past coverage, but confirmation remains elusive. Hardware under the hood could rely on a next-generation H3 chip, driving efficiency, latency reduction, and audio enhancement.
### Additional Devices and Future Possibilities
Not all products on the rumor radar are guaranteed to appear on September 9th. Potential late arrivals include a second-generation Vision Pro headset, possibly powered by an M4 or M5 processor. Certain leaks also mention a redesigned strap designed to alleviate discomfort during extended wear. Similarly, new M5-equipped iPad Pro models with camera placements supporting both portrait and landscape orientations could debut later in the year.
On the software side, there is speculation Apple may provide updates related to its ongoing Apple Intelligence project, including advancements in Siri. Persistent reports suggest that Apple is considering external partnerships to supply large language models, with possibilities ranging from OpenAI and Anthropic to Google. This would represent a major shift in Apple’s historically in-house approach to core technology.
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As we approach the highly anticipated date, the September 9th “Awe dropping” event holds the promise of redefining key product categories. Whether through the introduction of slimmer-than-ever form factors, significant camera upgrades, health-focused wearables, or smart audio devices imbued with biometric intelligence, Apple appears determined to make this showcase one for the history books. Stay tuned to The Verge and other outlets for comprehensive coverage as the announcements unfold, detailing exactly how the iPhone 17 series and its companion devices will shape the next era of Apple technology.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/iphone/767381/apple-iphone-17-awe-dropping-launch-what-to-expect
