This is what to anticipate from Apple

We’re now simply two weeks away from the Apple iPhone 17 event. Themed “Awe dropping” this yr, it’s going to be livestreamed on YouTube at 1PM ET from Cupertino. We’ll even have Engadget workers reporting and liveblogging from the occasion. This yr is shaking as much as be a departure from current occasions, with the sturdy chance of an all-new superthin iPhone anticipated to affix the corporate’s lineup. Additionally on faucet may very well be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary really new Extremely mannequin in two years — and (perhaps) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.

However toggling again to telephones: Apple’s iPhone household will probably welcome a brand new member this yr. The iPhone Air is expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. That bests the thinnest mannequin up to now, which was 2014’s iPhone 6, at 6.9 mm. And so they’ve solely gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) So, the Air would stand out from its friends in that respect. It will additionally give Apple a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which we discovered to be more than a gimmick.

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

The Professional lineup might provide 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 develop to a complete “island” that extends throughout many of the cellphone’s bottom. It is anticipated to deal with three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have advised it should have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might jump to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones may additionally add an anti-glare coating, much like these found on iPads.

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

One factor we all know certainly is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s biggest design refresh in years. It is simple to think about the corporate highlighting the brand new mannequin’s shows as one of the best ways to expertise the brand new Liquid Glass visible language. As for the naming scheme, there have not been any leaks pointing to an identical {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 also 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 by way of satellite tv for pc, helpful 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 (aside from 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 saved these round in three-year cycles.). However a quicker chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.

We may additionally 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 might additionally deliver some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (perhaps) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, though that is probably not unique to the third-gen mannequin.

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