Earlier this week, Apple sent out invites to its upcoming “Awe-dropping” iPhone event on September 9th at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET in Cupertino. We can expect the usual beta software (iOS 26) to become official alongside hardware refreshes across its iPhones (including a super-thin iPhone), Apple Watches, and a potential AirPods Pro refresh. Let’s dive into all of what’s coming—allegedly.
Expect noteworthy upgrades on the iPhone and iPhone Pro line.
For starters, the iPhone 17 is said to be equipped with Apple’s latest A19 CPU, a 24MP selfie camera, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a redesigned rear with a Google Pixel-like camera bar. The faster 120Hz ProMotion display is said to arrive on the base iPhone, four years after it was introduced on the Pro iPhones in 2021. However, on the iPhone 17, it’s said to lack the always-on display still, as it will remain an iPhone Pro-only feature. The iPhone 17 is rumored to have an $800 price tag and arrive in black, blue, lime green, pink, and white color options.
The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models are said to switch from a titanium to an aluminum build, using a new A19 Pro processor with 12GB of RAM, upgrade their telephoto camera to a 48MP sensor, which would offer triple 48MP sensors on the rear, according to MacRumors, and add an anti-glare coating like the company already has on its iPads. Also, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a thicker profile due to its redesigned rear and larger battery. Based on dummy units floating in the wild, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could arrive in black, blue, orange, and silver color options. I’m not particularly fond of the new Pixel-like camera bar on the rear of all four iPhone 17 models, but it’s something I, along with everyone else, will have to get accustomed to.
Say hello to the slim iPhone Air and dueces to the iPhone Plus.
Yup, the larger non-Pro iPhone is said to be retired, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, and it will be replaced by a new, thinner Air model, which is said to measure around 5.55mm thick but would leave less room inside for a larger battery—think around a 2,800 mAh-sized cell. Rumors also said it would offer a titanium frame with an aluminum build, a 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion display with a Dynamic Island cutout, potentially 8GB-12GB of RAM, and an always-on display, and be equipped with a single, rear-facing 48MP sensor within its smaller camera bar and a 24MP selfie camera. Recent rumors have it arriving in black, white, light gold, and light blue color options.
Current rumors have the iPhone 17 Air coming out with a $900 price tag and in black, silver, gold, and light blue color options. Despite being rumored since last year’s iPhone launch, Samsung has already beaten Apple to market with its thinner Galaxy S25 Edge smartphone. Hopefully, it’s not too thin or we’ll have to revisit Apple’s ‘bendgate’ debacle with the iPhone 6.
The upcoming Apple Watch Ultra adds 5G support and satellite messaging.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is said to have a faster S11 processor, slightly smaller bezels, and the same battery life of up to 3 days. However, according to Bloomberg, its more noteworthy features would be 5G support and satellite messaging and location sharing for off-the-grid communication, which is thanks to a new MediaTek-powered modem. The new feature would work nicely with the emergency SOS, fall detection, and car crash detection features Apple already offers. The company is also working on adding blood pressure tracking and blood glucose monitoring, but they are still a year or two away. Unless Apple can bypass price increases via tariffs, the price should remain the same, starting at $800.
The AirPods Pro 3 could add biometric sensors.
We’ve been waiting for the AirPods 3 Pro, as it’s been three years since their last update, and they’re finally ready. There won’t be a huge change in its appearance, but it may shrink in size, ever so slightly, and remove the physical pairing button in favor of capacitive controls. Based on a Bloomberg report, the big addition is said to be the inclusion of biometric sensors, which would include an in-ear heart-rate monitor and possibly temperature sensing and live translation. As one of Apple’s popular earbuds, these would be a welcome addition for those who run with their AirPods Pro, myself included.
Which of these Apple products are you looking forward to the most? Just the iPhone 17 models, the Apple Watch, the new AirPods, all four, or a combination of products?
