Apple’s has announced the date of its iPhone 17 launch event: The “Awe Dropping” event kicks off on Tuesday, September 9. As usual, official details about Apple’s line-up remain sparse. But the rumor mill has been working overtime, offering plenty of glimpses at what Apple’s cooking up for the big reveal.
The headliner is obviously the iPhone 17 lineup, including the long-rumored iPhone 17 Air, a new super-thin model that’s expected to shake things up. But rumor has it we could also see a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 alongside a new Apple Watch Series 11. Also tipped to be in the works are an upgraded AirPods Pro 3 and the long-awaited HomePod with a screen that’s been rumored for years.
Apple’s September event is shaping up to be stuffed with new product reveals and announcements. So without further ado, let’s dive into all the new Apple products expected to launch at the Awe Dropping event. And be sure to follow our Apple iPhone 17 event live blog for all the last-minute rumors and leaks.
iPhone 17
For its standard offering, Apple seems to have four changes planned, the most significant of which is the switch to a 120Hz display. Since the iPhone 13 Pro launched in 2021, the smoother refresh rate has been a Pro-only perk, offering both more fluid scrolling and up to 120fps in supported apps.
The display’s size is getting a Pro-level upgrade too, jumping up to a 6.3-inch panel from the 6.1-inch screen we saw on the iPhone 16. That likely means Apple’s once again shaving down the bezels, or at least that’s what the company did when it expanded the Pro models’ displays back in 2019.
The front-facing camera is also set for its first real overhaul since the iPhone 11. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts all four iPhone 17 models will jump from 12MP to 24MP, and the upgraded lens will have six elements for substantially improved selfie image quality.
Charging speeds are getting a boost too. While the rumored jump to 35W isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still a significant step up from the current 20W limit.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
For years, Apple has been pouring its energy into the Pro line, nudging customers to skip the entry model and spring for the premium option. It appears to be sticking to that same strategy this year, though the gulf between the two Pro models is steadily narrowing. This time around, the only difference between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will be the price, size (6.3 inches vs 6.9 inches), and battery life.
As far as upgrades go, word is Apple’s saving its new 3nm A19 Pro chip as a Pro-model exclusive for now, which should improve computing, graphical, and AI performance. Both models are expected to get a bump in RAM as well, up to 12GB from the iPhone 16 Pro‘s 8GB, likely to help the phones take full advantage of Apple Intelligence. They’re also both expected to get a new vapor chamber cooling to handle the power of the A19 Pro chip, which would replace the standard heatsinks used in Apple’s current Pro models.
Lastly, Apple’s rumored to outfit its latest premium iPhones with the greatest-and-greatest camera tech, as each phone’s 12MP telephoto lens could be upgraded to 48MP. This could enable up to 8x zoom, and would bring all three rear cameras to 48 megapixels.
iPhone 17 Air
In the biggest shake-up to Apple’s iPhone line, the larger Plus-size option is being replaced by a super-thin iPhone 17 Air to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Rumored to measure just 5.5mm at its narrowest point, it could be Apple’s thinnest phone yet, and, like its siblings, it’s also tipped to include the upgraded 24MP front camera and faster 35W charging.
Such a slim profile doesn’t come without trade-offs, though. To save space, the Air will reportedly be the only model in the lineup to use Apple’s C1 modem, first introduced with the iPhone 16e. Apple’s also outfitted it with a smaller 2,900mAh battery, down from the iPhone 17’s already modest battery capacity of 3,300mAh. Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature the new A19 chip, albeit with one fewer graphics core than the Pro models.
The biggest deal-breaker may be its camera array, or rather its lack thereof. Rumors suggest the Air will ship with just a single 48MP rear lens, leaving out not only the Pro models’ telephoto camera but also the secondary ultrawide lens.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Enough about smartphones — Apple’s also rumored to overhaul its line of smartwatches next month, with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 leading the pack. It’s likely to sport the same basic design as the Ultra and Ultra 2, but could get a larger 2.12-inch screen and slightly thinner case. One leak suggests the resolution will increase to 422 x 514 pixels as well, up from 410 x 502 pixels for the Ultra 2.
One of the more unusual rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 suggests it could feature an AI-powered onboard camera built into the side of the case, near the digital crown. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this camera wouldn’t capture photos but rather let one of the best smartwatches on the market “see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information.”
Since it’s been two years since the line was last updated, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is likely to debut with the latest S10 chip, which features a dedicated four-core neural engine for machine learning tasks. The Ultra 3 is reportedly set to be the first Apple wearable with satellite connectivity, so users can send emergency messages even when they’re off the grid and out of mobile range via the Globalstar satellite network.
This could be a game-changer as Apple Watch Ultra’s long battery life already makes it especially appealing to long-distance hikers, extreme sports enthusiasts, and other outdoor explorers. While recent iPhones already offer this capability, with the Ultra 3, you’ll be able to access it without needing a phone.
When it comes to features, the Ultra 3 is no slouch either. With Apple’s release of the watchOS 26 beta, we’ve already gotten a glimpse of what the Ultra 3 will offer: an AI-powered personalized fitness coach called Workout Buddy, a new Wrist Flick gesture to dismiss notifications, and the long-awaited addition of Notes app support.
Apple Watch SE 3
It’s been nearly three years since the latest Apple Watch SE debuted, so we’re overdue for a new budget-friendly Apple Watch. The Apple Watch SE 3 is expected to get the same S11 chip as the Apple Watch Series 11, which will be a major improvement over the current model’s S8 chip.
The Apple Watch SE has traditionally offered fewer health features than Apple’s flagship models, but it could inherit a few features from the Watch 8 and Watch 9. Given the SE watches’ focus on essential health tracking, Apple could potentially add sleep apnea detection to the SE 3, since the necessary hardware is already in place. ECG tracking could also finally make its way onto Apple’s budget smartwatch.
AirPods Pro 3
Apple has some exciting upgrades in store for its next pair of best wireless earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to get an updated design and case to accommodate new planned features, though it’s unclear what that’ll look like exactly. Rumor has it they could get new heart rate monitors, like the kind already found on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, as well as temperature sensors to measure different health metrics
We’re also expecting further improvements to Active Noise Cancellation and an even faster processor than the AirPods Pro 2’s H2 chip, which could improve battery life. A leak from analyst Ming Chi-Kuo suggests the AirPods Pro could pack infrared cameras to be used for gesture control and other functions.
HomePod 3
Rumors have been swirling for years about Apple’s “HomePod with a screen,” but 2025 may finally be the year we get our hands on it. The HomePod 3 is rumored to upgrade to a bigger OLED screen, much like the iPad Pro and some of the best MacBook model, that may even be able to swivel and follow you around the room.
According to Gurman, it’ll be slightly smaller than the iPad mini and act as a “command center” for all your smart home devices. It’s expected to have a FaceTime camera for making video calls and possibly presence sensors to trigger smart home routines. Apple’s also tipped to release the HomePod 3 with several accessories like a wall mount and speaker base, a page taken from Google‘s playbook with the Pixel Tablet.
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