A new report summarizes nine key expectations for Apple's iPhone 17 launch this fall.
iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, new Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3 revealed.
Everything will be released on September 19, and notably, prices will remain the same. This is surprising, as there will be no price increases this year. For those who did not see the live keynote, here's a summary of the major announcements from Apple.
The iPhone Air was a highlight, being Apple’s thinnest phone at 5.6mm. The Air designation, previously used for MacBooks and iPads, is now also being applied to phones.
It features a 6.5-inch ProMotion display and a camera "plateau" across nearly the entire back. This plateau houses most of the internal components, providing space for a substantial battery within the slim design.
The device is powered by the A19 Pro chip, which Apple claims offers performance comparable to a MacBook Pro. The Air includes the N1 chip for wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) and a C1X modem that is supposedly twice as fast as the iPhone 16e's modem.
The Air has a single-lens Fusion camera system that functions as both an ultrawide lens and a 2x telephoto lens, with an f/1.6 aperture.
The series incorporates an 18 MP Center Stage front camera, similar to those in Apple's laptops and iPads, to maintain focus on the user.
Center Stage uses AI for group shots to automatically adjust the view and switch between portrait and landscape modes. It offers stabilized 4K HDR video, and the Dual Capture mode enables simultaneous recording with both front and rear cameras.
The standard iPhone now features a 120Hz ProMotion OLED display. The 6.3-inch screen offers better smoothness than previous non-Pro iPhones.
It contains the A19 chip, optimized for speed and efficiency. Apple states that the GPU is 20% faster than the A18 and almost twice as fast as the iPhone 14.
The dual-camera system has been upgraded to include a 48 MP fusion ultrawide lens that also functions as a macro lens, as well as a 48 MP main lens that can become a 12 MP 2x telephoto lens. With the addition of the Center Stage selfie camera, this year’s base iPhone has improvements.
The iPhone 17 Pro models also feature the new plateau design, the A19 Pro chip, and an anodized aluminum unibody instead of titanium. This construction is said to dissipate heat 20 times more efficiently, and there is a vapor chamber inside for cooling.
The Pro is available in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Max versions. The triple 48 MP camera setup includes ultrawide (with macro), a main lens, and an 8x telephoto lens. Apple mentioned its "largest battery ever" in an iPhone, without providing the exact capacity.
The Apple Watch Series 11 has arrived, with internal improvements.
This is Apple’s first smartwatch with integrated 5G, including live translation. It also introduces hypertension alerts, pending FDA approval, which will eventually be available on the Series 9 and 10. The battery life remains at up to 24 hours per charge.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 resembles the Ultra 2, but has Apple’s largest watch display to date. The screen can reduce to 1Hz in always-on mode, and the battery lasts up to 42 hours.
It supports 5G and satellite texting. Like the Series 11, it will include hypertension alerts after clearance.
After three years, the Apple Watch SE has been updated. The SE 3 uses the S10 chip, supports 5G, and now has an always-on display.
New features include a temperature sensor for ovulation tracking and a speaker for audio playback without AirPods.
The AirPods Pro 3 have a similar design, but include several updates. They feature Apple’s smallest heart rate sensor, an IP57 durability rating, and live translation. Holding both stems provides instant translations, with responses transcribed on the iPhone.
ANC has been upgraded to be four times stronger than the original AirPods and twice as good as the previous generation. Bass performance has been improved with new vents, and five ear tip sizes are included.
Apple kept prices consistent, a benefit for consumers, especially with this year’s upgrades. The new iPhone Air costs more than the Plus model it replaces.
Here is the pricing for Apple's announcements on September 9:
iPhone 17 starts at $799 (256GB)
iPhone Air starts at $999 (256GB)
iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (256GB)
iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (256GB)
AirPods Pro 3 is $249
Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249 (40mm)
Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799
Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 (42mm Aluminum)
Apple also introduced new cases, straps, and a MagSafe battery for the iPhone Air. Here's what's available:
Cases: iPhone Air Case with MagSafe, slim translucent case, bumper case, and a new crossbody strap.
MagSafe Battery: a slim, lightweight battery pack.
Cases: Clear Case with MagSafe, and a Silicone Case with MagSafe in black, neon yellow, light moss, anchor blue, and purple fog.
Crossbody Strap: made from recycled yarns, with magnets and stainless steel sliders. It works with the Silicone Case, and is available in black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.
TechWoven Case: a new woven fabric design with a protective coating. Available in black, blue, purple, sienna, and green.
Clear Case with MagSafe: made from polycarbonate and flexible materials with a scratch-resistant coating.
Silicone Case with MagSafe: available in orange, terra cotta, neon yellow, purple fog, midnight, and black.
Crossbody Strap: same design as the iPhone 17 version, in the same colors. Works with both the TechWoven and Silicone cases.
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" will be released in a few months.
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