Here 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 will be livestreamed on YouTube at 1PM ET from Cupertino. We’ll even have Engadget employees reporting and liveblogging from the occasion. This yr is shaking as much as be a departure from latest occasions, with the robust risk of an all-new superthin iPhone anticipated to affix the corporate’s lineup. Additionally on faucet could possibly 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 doubtless 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. They usually’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 doubtless result in some compromises. It is rumored to have solely a single 48 MP digicam and a smaller battery. So, count on a classy cellphone that… will not be for everybody.

The Professional lineup may provide some design tweaks and efficiency enhancements. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max are rumored to change from titanium to aluminum. They might additionally see the rear digicam array broaden to a complete “island” that extends throughout a lot of the cellphone’s bottom. It is anticipated to deal with three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have prompt it’ll 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, just like these found on iPads.

The usual iPhone 17 may see some welcome show upgrades. At the very least one provide chain supply claimed it’ll add a 120Hz variable refresh charge (ProMotion) show, which the Professional sequence has used since 2021.

One factor we all know no doubt 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 simplest ways 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 might 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 any case, 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 quicker 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 might not be 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.