Apple’s iPhone 17 ‘Awe dropping’ occasion is on September 9 — Here is what we anticipate

We’re now lower than two weeks away from the Apple iPhone 17 occasion. Themed “Awe dropping” this yr, the occasion — confirmed after Apple sent “save the date” invitations to the media on August 26 — shall be livestreamed on YouTube September 9 at 1PM ET from Cupertino. And Engadget employees shall be there, reporting and liveblogging from Apple Park to provide their hands-on impressions. This yr is shaking as much as be a departure from latest September product rollouts, with the sturdy chance of an all-new superthin iPhone anticipated to affix the corporate’s lineup. Additionally on faucet might be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary actually new Extremely mannequin in two years — and (perhaps) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.

We bought a full rundown of what to anticipate on the occasion from the absolute best supply: Bloomberg Apple reporter extraordinaire Mark Gurman. Throughout his latest visitor look on the Engadget Podcast, Gurman shared his evaluation of what we anticipate to see, together with the anticipated battery and digital camera compromises of that rumored skinny iPhone (which everybody already calls the iPhone Air).

Anticipated to be roughly 5.55 mm thick, the iPhone Air can be the thinnest iPhone but, besting 2014’s iPhone 6 which, at 6.9 mm, was the earlier svelteness champ. They usually’ve solely gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) The Air would additionally give Apple a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which we discovered to be greater than a gimmick.

However the iPhone Air’s skinny design will doubtless result in some compromises. It is rumored to have solely a single 48 MP digital camera and a smaller battery. So, anticipate a trendy telephone that… will not be for everybody.

The Professional lineup may supply some design tweaks and efficiency enhancements. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max are rumored to modify from titanium to aluminum. They may additionally see the rear digital camera 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 steered it would have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens may jump to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones can also add an anti-glare coating, much like these found on iPads.

The usual iPhone 17 may see some welcome show upgrades. Not less than one provide chain supply claimed it would add a 120Hz variable refresh price (ProMotion) show, which the Professional collection has used since 2021.

One factor we all know indubitably is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s biggest design refresh in years. It is easy 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 an analogous {hardware} rebranding (“iPhone 26,” “iPhone 26 Professional,” and many others.). 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 be anticipated to roll out new Apple Watch fashions. 5G and a processor improve are expected for the Apple Watch Extremely 3. It could additionally allow you to ship texts through satellite tv for pc, useful for individuals who use it out within the wilderness. Whatever the particulars, Apple hasn’t launched a brand new rugged and premium mannequin since 2023 (other than 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 stored these round in three-year cycles.). However a sooner 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 may 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. However do not anticipate main design adjustments, if the newest studies from leaker Majin Bu (through MacRumors) are to be believed: Along with a “slight discount in dimension,” Bu notes the case will lose the bodily pairing button, whereas gaining capacitive controls.

Will there be different bulletins? Time will inform, however now we all know we can’t have to attend lengthy to search out out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the solutions are simply days away.

Replace, August 29, 2025, 2:32PM ET: Added insights from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman primarily based on his look on the Engadget Podcast.

Replace, August 28, 2025, 10:45AM ET: Added new report on AirPods 3 case particulars.

Replace, August 26, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added affirmation of official occasion invitation, date and time.