Apple holds several events throughout the year, but none is as vital to the company’s bottom line as its annual one in September. That’s when Apple unveils its new iPhone lineup, drawing our attention again to the device that accounted for just over half of the $391 billion the company brought in in fiscal 2024.
Apple’s next iPhone event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9. The iPhone 17 event, taglined “Awe Dropping,” represents a significant shift: Apple is expected to discontinue one of its current iPhone models and launch a new iPhone device in its place. The company is also likely to introduce several other hardware products. Here’s what you can expect to see on Tuesday.
iPhone 17 Air
The star of the iPhone 17 event is expected to be a brand-new model of the iPhone, currently dubbed by tech pundits and analysts as the “iPhone 17 Air” (also sometimes referred to as the “iPhone 17 Slim”).
As its name suggests, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be a thin device—the thinnest iPhone ever. Most rumors indicate that the iPhone 17 Air will have a thickness of between just 5.5mm and 6mm. (It’s likely the 5.5mm thickness will be the device’s thinnest point, and the camera bump will add heft to the new iPhone near the top of the device.)
Previously, the thinnest iPhone ever was the iPhone 6, released in 2014, measuring 6.9mm in thickness. (The thinnest iPhone 16 models are the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, and iPhone 16 Pro, all of which have a thickness of 7.8mm.)
In addition to a skinny form factor, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display, an A19 chip, and a single-lens 48MP rear camera. The lack of a more advanced camera system suggests that the iPhone 17 Air will be for consumers who prioritize form and design over functionality.
The new iPhone “Air” model will replace the current iPhone “Plus” model, which Apple is retiring this year.
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple is also expected to upgrade the rest of its current iPhone lineup at the event on Tuesday. This includes the release of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—some of which may have a higher starting price than last year.
If you’re a fan of the entry-level iPhone, you may be disappointed to hear that the base iPhone 17 will likely get the fewest upgrades this year. Expect a display size bump from the current 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. The iPhone 17 is also expected to get the A19 chip and a new 24MP front camera (up from the 12MP in the iPhone 16). But beyond that—and new colors—don’t expect too many other significant feature improvements.
The story is different when it comes to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Expect significant design changes, including a rectangular rear camera bump, a new aluminum frame, a hybrid aluminum and glass backplate, and a new orange color option.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to feature a display size increase to 6.3 inches (from the current 6.1 inches), and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to have a display size of 6.9 inches. Both models are also likely to feature the A19 Pro chipset, a 24MP front camera, and a new 48MP lens in their rear telephoto camera (up from 24MP).
All iPhone 17 models will ship with the new iOS 26 and its Liquid Glass software design.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Last year, Apple Watch fans were disappointed to learn that Apple did not release an updated Apple Watch Ultra. Instead, the company kept the same Apple Watch Ultra 2 model—from 2023—on sale, only adding a new color option.
But on Tuesday, the company is finally expected to introduce a new Apple Watch Ultra 3. However, don’t expect a radical overhaul of the high-end smartwatch. Instead, it is likely to get iterative hardware improvements. As noted by 9to5Mac, those improvements include a slightly larger display (the Ultra 2 has a 49mm display), a new S11 chip, high blood pressure detection, 5G cellular support, and satellite connectivity for messaging.
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple is also expected to debut the new Apple Watch Series 11. However, those hoping for a larger display, like the one coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, will be disappointed. The Series 11 is expected to retain its current 42mm and 46mm options.
Yet, the Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to gain many of the other features coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, including a new S11 chip, high blood pressure detection, and 5G cellular support.
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s “budget” Apple Watch product. The current Apple Watch SE 2 came out nearly three years ago, so it’s long overdue for an upgrade, which is expected on Tuesday.
However, as a budget model, don’t expect the Apple Watch SE 3 to feature significant improvements. Rumors suggest that it could feature a slightly larger display and that Apple may have opted to use a plastic, color body to keep costs down.
AirPods Pro 3
Finally, Apple is also expected to introduce an updated AirPods Pro 3. However, rumors about what new changes we can expect are more opaque than with the other Apple products listed above.
Signs point to the new AirPods Pro 3 having a tweaked, possibly smaller, design, improved Active Noise Cancellation and audio quality, as well as a new heart rate monitoring health feature.
Apple’s iPhone 17 event kicks off on Tuesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
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