Apple’s next hardware event is shaping up to be an iPhone-first show, with the iPhone 17 family expected to headline and a whisper-thin new model poised to steal attention. Industry chatter points to a sweeping redesign cycle, bolder display tech, and a razor-focus on efficiency—hallmarks of Apple’s recent hardware moves.
iPhone 17: faster displays, sharper selfies, fresh colors
Multiple supply chain reports suggest the standard iPhone 17 will edge closer to “Pro” territory. Expect a slightly larger display around 6.3 inches and, crucially, a 120 Hz panel—long a fan request—expanding Apple’s high-refresh ecosystem beyond the premium tier. Display analysts who track panel orders say LTPO adoption is widening, which dovetails with this rumor.
On the camera front, a 24‑megapixel front sensor is circulating in leaks, signaling Apple’s push to improve FaceTime and creator‑first shooting without bloating file sizes. New finishes are reportedly in testing, including deep purple and green, a palette shift that often previews the year’s marketing aesthetic.
Pricing chatter pegs the vanilla model near the current flagship’s entry point, while storage options may compress at the high end. Several analysts have suggested the Pro line could drop the 128 GB SKU, nudging power users to 256 GB and above.
Pro and Pro Max: camera bar, materials shift, bigger battery bets
Concept renders and case leaks hint at a new rear layout: a horizontal camera bar stretching across the back, with flash and sensors pushed to the side. It’s a visual reset that could also help thermal behavior and internal component stacking, a common theme as camera hardware grows more ambitious.
One notable twist: the iPhone 17 Pro may trade its titanium band for aluminum, according to multiple reports. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper to machine at scale, and Apple has repeatedly shown it can add rigidity via internal frames and glass chemistry. If true, expect the weight to drop a few grams while margins improve.
The Pro Max is rumored to gain a slightly thicker body to accommodate a larger battery. That sounds counter to the thin-is-in narrative, but it tracks with real-world behavior: buyers of the largest iPhone often prioritize endurance. We’ve seen Apple go this route before, and it typically pays off in day‑two battery life—where many phones struggle.
Enter the ultra-thin “iPhone Air”
The most talked‑about move is an all‑new, ultra‑slim model—informally dubbed “iPhone Air”—that could replace the Plus. Leaks point to a profile near 5.5 mm and a 6.6‑inch display, which would make it the thinnest iPhone ever and one of the skinniest mainstream phones, period. Apple’s 5.1 mm iPad Pro proved the company can engineer extreme thinness without obvious flex or thermal drama, lending credibility here.
There are trade‑offs. Early CADs and supply chain notes suggest a single rear camera, and some reports question whether there’s room for traditional bottom‑firing speakers. Battery capacity is the big question; ultra‑thin designs limit cell volume. One workaround floated by accessory makers: a first‑party battery case optimized for MagSafe efficiency.
Price expectations for the slim model range from the high‑$800s to just under $1,000, with black, silver, and light gold among the rumored finishes. Strategically, replacing the Plus aligns with market data from researcher surveys that show softer demand for mid‑tier large iPhones relative to Pro variants.
Apple Watch: health sensors inch forward, durability stays key
On wearables, insiders expect an Apple Watch lineup refresh emphasizing health and endurance. Bloomberg has reported Apple’s continued work on blood pressure trend notifications and sleep apnea screening. These features are complex and require significant validation, so timing remains fluid, but the direction of travel is clear.
A new Ultra could see faster charging, a larger display, and expanded connectivity options tuned for backcountry reliability. Meanwhile, a value‑focused SE may gain a slightly larger screen with minimal internal changes to keep costs down. Apple recently rolled out a redesigned blood oxygen feature to select existing models, signaling ongoing tuning of health algorithms ahead of new hardware.
AirPods, AirTag and other hardware to watch
AirPods Pro 3 are widely tipped to debut with an H‑series chip upgrade, stronger adaptive audio, and a slimmer case. One design rumor replaces the physical pairing button with touch‑sensitive interaction on the case itself—cleaner, but it will need reliable false‑touch mitigation.
Elsewhere, a second‑generation AirTag with an updated UWB chip and tighter anti‑stalking safeguards is in the mix. There’s also talk of a refreshed spatial computer with a faster M‑series chip and a darker finish, plus a modestly updated HomePod mini. iPad updates appear less likely for this cycle.
The bigger picture
Analysts from firms like Bloomberg Intelligence, DSCC, and JPMorgan have framed this iPhone cycle as the opening chapter of a multi‑year redesign arc, with Apple tilting toward higher‑margin devices and differentiated form factors. Counterpoint Research continues to show Apple leading global smartphone revenues thanks to premium mix, a dynamic that favors bold moves like an ultra‑thin model and expanded Pro features.
If the rumors hold, the iPhone 17 generation won’t just be thinner—it will reset the line’s hierarchy, blur the gap between base and Pro, and test how far Apple can push design minimalism without sacrificing the everyday comforts buyers expect.