iPhone 17 steals the spotlight — and there’s an iPhone Air too
Apple’s September event introduced a broad refresh: the iPhone Air, the new iPhone 17, and redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside updated Apple Watches and AirPods Pro 3. The iPhone 17 family shares tougher Ceramic Shield 2 glass, bigger camera sensors on the Pro models, and a focus on battery efficiency and connectivity. The company also spotlighted new software and hardware tweaks that aim to make photography, video, and everyday use smoother.
iPhone Air: the thinnest iPhone ever
Apple called the iPhone Air its slimmest, lightest model yet — 0.22 inches thick and weighing 0.36 pounds. Key points:
- Powered by the A19 Pro chip and N1 networking chip for Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread support.
- Uses Apple’s C1X modem (an upgrade from the prior C1), designed to keep fast wireless and cellular speeds while saving battery.
- Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 helps conserve power by learning your usage. Apple says the Air will last all day on a charge. A slim MagSafe battery pack will be sold separately.
- Durability: Ceramic Shield 2 on front and back — Apple claims four times more crack resistance and three times more scratch resistance for the 6.5-inch display.
- Tradeoffs: eSIM-only (no physical SIM slot) and a single 48-megapixel rear lens with integrated 2x optical zoom. Front camera supports Center Stage, 4K HDR, and dual-capture video (front + rear simultaneously).
- Colors: black, white, gold, sky blue. Preorders open Friday; shipping and stores on September 19. Starting price: $1,000.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max: major Pro upgrades
The iPhone 17 Pro redesign shifts back to an aluminum body, adds a vapor chamber cooling system, and ramps up display and camera specs.
- Ceramic Shield 2 for front and back: Apple promises three times the screen scratch resistance and four times for the back glass.
- ProMotion display with up to 3,000 nits peak brightness and double the outdoor contrast compared with the prior generation.
- A19 Pro chipset: up to 40% better sustained performance than the iPhone 16 Pro’s chip. RAM increased to 12 GB (from 8 GB).
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and the N1 networking chip for improved AirDrop and Personal HotSpot reliability.
- Battery and charging: eSIM-only Pro Max models (available in US + 11 other regions at launch) claimed to offer the best battery life ever in an iPhone; Apple cites up to 39 hours of video playback. The new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (60W Max) can charge to 50% in about 20 minutes.
- Cameras: three 48-megapixel rear lenses on Pro and Pro Max, with the telephoto offering up to 8x optical zoom and 40x digital zoom. Sensors are 56% larger versus last year, with a refined photonic engine for detail and color accuracy. Front camera is 18 MP with wider field of view and Center Stage; video gains ProRes Raw, Log 2, Dolby Vision, 4K 120 fps, ACES, and genlock support.
- Colors and storage: silver, deep blue, and a new orange; iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,100 and iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,200 (256 GB). A 2 TB option arrives for the first time. Available September 19.
iPhone 17: the middle ground with a nicer front camera
The standard iPhone 17 brings a larger display and camera improvements without the full Pro trimmings.
- Durability: Ceramic Shield 2 and anti-reflective coating for less glare.
- Display: larger 6.3-inch panel (up from 6.1) with thinner bezels, ProMotion up to 120 Hz, and 3,000 nits peak brightness.
- Chip: A19 with a 16-core Neural Engine, six-core CPU, and five-core GPU; iOS 26 Adaptive Power Mode adds battery gains. Apple claims eight more hours of video playback vs. iPhone 16.
- Cameras: 48-megapixel main plus a 12-megapixel telephoto. Front camera supports 4K HDR, Center Stage with the widest field yet, and new square framing for high-res photos and video in any orientation. Dual-capture video is supported.
- Colors and price: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white. Preorders start September 12; available September 19. Starting price: $800 for 256 GB.
Watches, AirPods, and extras — Apple’s ecosystem push
Apple used the event to refresh wearables and earbuds with health and connectivity features.
- Apple Watch Series 11: Thinner design, 5G support, longer battery life, and new health features that can detect signs of hypertension by analyzing vessel response over 30 days. Series 11 will also provide a sleep score and is expected to ship September 19. Apple seeks FDA clearance for the hypertension feature. Aluminum and titanium case options; aluminum displays are twice as scratch-resistant as Series 10. Price: $400 (preorder available).
- Apple Watch SE 3: $250 entry option with S10 chip, always-on display, new gestures, wrist temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, and up to 18 hours battery life with fast charging. Ships September 19.
- Apple Watch Ultra 3: $800 rugged model with the largest Apple Watch screen yet, satellite connectivity, 5G, and extended battery life (up to 42 hours, 72 in low-power). Satellite features free for two years; available September 19.
- AirPods Pro 3: Live translation in supported languages at launch (English, French, German, Portuguese) and more languages by year-end. Improved ANC, heart-rate tracking, better water resistance (IP57), ergonomic tips (silicone over foam), and up to eight hours battery life per charge. Preorder now; ships September 19 for $250.
What this means for people thinking about a new iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple focused on durability, camera performance, and connectivity across the lineup. If you want the thinnest phone, the iPhone Air is new and light. The iPhone 17 suits users wanting improved front camera tech and better battery life over the iPhone 16 Pro, while the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max push the most advanced photo, video, and performance features. Plus higher RAM and faster sustained workloads.
- Preorders: iPhone 17 preorders begin September 12; iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and Pro Max preorders open this Friday with all models available September 19.
- Color options: iPhone Air has black, white, gold, sky blue; iPhone 17 comes in black, lavender, mist blue, sage, white; Pro colors include silver, deep blue, and a new orange.
- Accessories: new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter for rapid charging; a slim MagSafe battery pack is available separately.
Closing note
Apple’s iPhone 17 family brings iterative but meaningful upgrades. A featherlight iPhone Air, beefed-up Pro cameras, improved displays, and tighter integration with new watches and AirPods. If you’re planning to visit the Apple Store, preorder through carriers like T-Mobile. Or compare with your iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, the new lineup gives clear choices across size, camera needs, and battery life.
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