Apple’s next hardware showcase is set to be all about the iPhone 17 family—and a bold new ultra‑slim model that could reset the playbook for thin smartphones. Expect Apple to sharpen the lineup with fresh designs, display upgrades, smarter storage tiers, and a surprise accessory or two, alongside updates for Apple Watch and AirPods.
iPhone 17: faster displays, smarter tiers
The standard iPhone 17 is widely tipped to close the gap with the Pro line. Rumors point to a 6.3-inch display—up from 6.1 inches—and, crucially, a 120 Hz refresh rate replacing the long‑standing 60 Hz panel. If true, that’s a substantive quality-of-life upgrade for scrolling, gaming, and UI fluidity that brings Apple in line with mainstream Android rivals.
A 24 MP front camera is also said to be on the table, a notable bump for video calls and social content. Color options in testing reportedly include purple and green, a signal that Apple might keep leaning into soft, seasonal hues that perform well in retail.
On pricing, expectations cluster around $800 for the base model. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has framed this cycle as the first in a multi‑year redesign arc, which would fit Apple’s pattern of major overhauls followed by iterative refinements. A tighter portfolio and clearer feature separation usually follow.
Pro and Pro Max: camera bar, lighter frame
The iPhone 17 Pro reportedly shifts its look with a rear camera array that spans the back in a rectangular bar, moving the flash and sensors farther to the edge. It’s a practical layout for larger sensors and periscope optics, and it gives Apple more thermal and internal space to play with.
Materials may change too. Supply chain chatter suggests an aluminum frame could replace titanium on the Pro, trimming cost and a few grams without sacrificing durability. The Pro Max, meanwhile, is rumored to add a hair of thickness to house a larger battery—a tradeoff most power users will happily take.
Pricing guidance points to roughly $1,100 for the Pro and $1,250 for the Pro Max. One notable shift: the Pro line may start at 256 GB, dropping the 128 GB tier. If that sticks, it improves out‑of‑the‑box experience for 4K video capture and spatial media while simplifying the SKU matrix.
iPhone Air: the thinnest iPhone ever
The headline-grabber is the rumored iPhone Air—an ultra‑slim model expected to replace the Plus. Target thickness: about 5.5 mm with a 6.6-inch display. That would undercut many “thin” flagships; for context, current leaks peg Samsung’s upcoming slim variant near 5.8 mm. Apple already proved its thin‑device engineering with the latest iPad Pro at 5.1 mm, suggesting the company is confident in rigidity, battery safety, and thermal design at these dimensions.
There are tradeoffs. Renders point to a single rear camera and possible audio compromises, relying primarily on the earpiece rather than a full bottom speaker array. Battery life remains the big question; an optional battery case has been floated as a mitigation. Colors reportedly include black, silver, and light gold, and analysts at JPMorgan have modeled pricing in the $899–$950 range depending on final specs.
New cases and materials: a course correction
Expect new first‑party cases to debut alongside the phones. A higher‑grade woven line—described as “TechWoven”—appears positioned to replace the short‑lived FineWoven experiment, potentially with a crossbody strap option. Given consumer backlash to wear and staining last time, Apple will be eager to show durability gains.
Apple Watch: health features inch forward
After a quieter stretch, Apple Watch is poised for a more ambitious turn. The Ultra 3 and Series 11 are rumored to gain faster charging and larger displays, with ongoing work to bring cuff‑less blood‑pressure notifications and sleep apnea detection to market. As health features brush up against regulatory scrutiny, timing is fluid; Bloomberg reporting suggests some capabilities could slip for additional tuning.
Apple recently began rolling out a redesigned blood‑oxygen experience on select models, hinting at how new health features may be staged regionally. Price expectations land around $250 for Watch SE 3, $400 for Series 11, and $800 for Ultra 3, with a plastic‑back SE variant still rumored to keep the entry tier aggressive.
AirPods, AirTag, Vision Pro, HomePod
AirPods Pro 3 are tipped for a slimmer case, smaller buds, and touch‑sensitive surfaces that eliminate the pairing button. A new H3 chip would aim at stronger active noise cancellation and smarter adaptive audio. A second‑gen AirTag reportedly upgrades its wireless chipset for better range and anti‑stalking safeguards, reflecting pressure from privacy advocates and law enforcement guidance.
On the spatial side, a refreshed Vision Pro with next‑gen Apple silicon and a darker colorway has been rumored, while a HomePod mini 2 could bring updated internals and new colors. Even if these arrive as teasers rather than full launches, they signal Apple’s intent to keep its ecosystem cadence tight.
What to watch for during the event
Key tells to look for: 120 Hz on the base iPhone 17, the Pro camera bar design, a 256 GB starting tier on Pro, and whether the ultra‑thin iPhone Air ships with any battery‑life caveats or bundled accessories. Also watch for confirmation of new woven cases and how Apple frames sustainability alongside durability—a balance that will matter to buyers and investors alike.