Apple Reveals iPhone 17 Air: 7 New Products Transform Tech

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Apple's September 9 "Awe Dropping" event is shaping up to be something special. Apple is preparing to unveil the iPhone 17 series, but this isn't your typical yearly refresh. The company is reportedly planning to introduce as many as seven new products, marking what could be the opening phase of a three-year transformation strategy designed to reinvent Apple's hardware ecosystem. What makes this particularly intriguing is the timing—Apple's stock has declined roughly 15% to 19% in 2025, making it one of the worst performers among the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, largely due to AI challenges and delays.

The iPhone 17 Air: Apple's boldest design gamble yet

Here's where things get really interesting. The centerpiece isn't just another iPhone—it's the iPhone 17 "Air", which would be the first time an iPhone gets the "Air" moniker that made MacBooks famous two decades ago. This device is expected to measure approximately 5.5mm at its thinnest point, making it significantly thinner than the iPhone 16's 7.8mm profile and likely the thinnest iPhone ever made.

But here's where Apple's engineering philosophy gets fascinating—creating something this thin requires reimagining fundamental smartphone architecture. The ultrathin design means only a single 48-megapixel rear camera and a smaller battery compared to current flagships, but it's not just about removing features. Apple's had to get creative with the basic components: the USB-C port placement is said to be off-center, and speaker grilles have been simplified to accommodate the slim profile.

This represents Apple's strategic answer to a key market question: do consumers want ultimate thinness more than camera versatility? The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the underperforming iPhone Plus in Apple's lineup, suggesting the company believes the answer is yes. With pricing expected to match the current iPhone Plus at $899, Apple is betting that a premium design experience can command the same price as multi-camera functionality.

Despite the compromises, you're getting some serious upgrades that position this as a luxury minimalist device. The device will reportedly sport a 6.6-inch display supporting 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates, democratizing the buttery-smooth scrolling experience previously reserved for Pro models. It's also rumored to feature a hybrid titanium-aluminum frame and weigh approximately 145 grams, which is substantially lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro's 199 grams—a difference you'll notice the moment you pick it up.

What's happening to the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup

The standard iPhone 17 gets upgrades that signal Apple's broader strategy shift. All iPhone 17 models are rumored to feature a 24MP front-facing camera, doubling the resolution of current models—a clear response to the selfie-centric social media landscape that drives purchasing decisions. Even more significant, all four iPhone 17 models in 2025 will have ProMotion display technology with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate, eliminating one of the key differentiators that justified Pro pricing.

This democratization of premium features represents a fundamental shift in Apple's product strategy. By bringing ProMotion to all models, Apple is essentially admitting that smooth scrolling has become table stakes rather than a luxury feature. The iPhone 17 will also have a larger display size of 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches, though the standard iPhone 17 will continue to look similar to the current iPhone 16, suggesting Apple is prioritizing familiar design over radical visual changes for mainstream users.

The Pro models tell a different story about Apple's premium ambitions. They're getting a new pill-shaped camera bump that's larger than previous designs, including a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom. This isn't just about megapixels—8x optical zoom puts Apple in direct competition with Samsung's Galaxy S Ultra series, signaling serious intent in the computational photography arms race.

What's particularly interesting is the materials strategy. The Pro models will also transition to primarily aluminum backs instead of glass, improving durability while reducing weight. This move suggests Apple is prioritizing practical benefits over premium aesthetics, potentially responding to user feedback about glass fragility. Plus, the iPhone 17 Pro models will have 12GB RAM, while the standard iPhone 17 may have 8GB—a crucial upgrade for Apple's AI ambitions and multi-app performance.

Apple Watch gets serious upgrades across the board

The Apple Watch lineup represents Apple's most aggressive health technology push yet. The Apple Watch Series 11 will apparently emphasize health-monitoring improvements, potentially introducing blood-pressure trend tracking capabilities—though not full systolic and diastolic readings yet. This limitation isn't a technical oversight; it's likely regulatory strategy. Blood pressure trend tracking can provide valuable health insights without crossing into FDA-regulated medical device territory, letting Apple deliver meaningful health features while navigating complex healthcare regulations.

The engineering improvements run deeper than new sensors. The Series 11 will reportedly come with an updated S11 chip that may be smaller in design to accommodate larger batteries or additional sensors. This miniaturization represents the kind of incremental innovation that often goes unnoticed but enables breakthrough user experiences. There's also talk of 5G RedCap connectivity from MediaTek, which would provide faster data speeds than current LTE-only models, positioning the Watch as increasingly independent from iPhones.

But the real game-changer is the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will reportedly be the first Apple Watch with stand-alone satellite connectivity. This isn't just about emergency features—it's about redefining what a wearable can do in remote environments. The satellite connectivity will enable emergency SOS functionality and potentially text messaging in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, transforming the Ultra from an adventure accessory into genuine safety equipment.

The Ultra 3's hardware improvements support this positioning shift. It's said to include the biggest Apple Watch display to date, which should be brighter and better when viewing from side angles—crucial for outdoor visibility. And if the rumors about an improved charging coil that could enable 80% charging in 30 minutes prove true, Apple is addressing one of wearables' biggest pain points: charging anxiety during extended adventures.

AirPods Pro 3: Finally, health tracking in your ears

After three years since the AirPods Pro 2 launch, we're getting a third generation that represents a fundamental expansion of what earbuds can do. Apple's third-generation AirPods Pro will reportedly introduce heart-rate monitoring capabilities, using LED optical sensors that can track your heart rate through blood flow in the ear canal. This isn't just feature addition—it's strategic positioning for Apple's health ecosystem.

The ear canal location offers unique advantages for health monitoring that Apple clearly understands. Unlike wrist-based sensors that can shift during movement, earbuds maintain consistent contact and positioning, potentially delivering more accurate readings during workouts or daily activities. You're already wearing them throughout the day, so why not capture continuous health data without additional devices?

Beyond health features, expect improved active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and a faster H3 audio chip that likely powers both audio processing and health sensor analysis. Some reports even suggest potential temperature monitoring capabilities and real-time translation features, which would position AirPods as genuine AI-powered personal assistants rather than just audio devices.

The design refinements reflect Apple's maturation philosophy: the new model will feature design refinements including a slimmer form factor and concealed status LED. These aren't flashy changes, but they demonstrate Apple's attention to reducing visual clutter while improving functionality—exactly what you'd expect from a company that's spent three years refining the AirPods Pro formula.

The bigger picture: What this means for Apple's future

What's fascinating is how all these products fit into Apple's broader strategic transformation. The September event's product lineup directly addresses Apple's strategic priorities by introducing hardware designed to integrate with the company's Liquid Glass design language, a translucent, depth-focused interface that represents the company's most significant visual overhaul since iOS 7 in 2013. This isn't cosmetic redesign—it's ecosystem preparation.

Apple's spatial computing ambitions are becoming clearer, with CEO Tim Cook reportedly "hell-bent" on launching true AR glasses before Meta. The company's road map reportedly includes lightweight AR glasses expected in 2027, along with multiple Vision Pro iterations through 2028. Every design choice we're seeing now—from the Liquid Glass interface to health sensors in AirPods to satellite connectivity in watches—seems designed to accustom users to spatial computing concepts before Apple's AR revolution.

This timing strategy makes sense given Apple's current challenges. The event arrives at a critical moment as Apple seeks to maintain momentum following strong third-quarter earnings that delivered record revenue of $94 billion, even as the company faces mounting challenges in artificial intelligence, where it has struggled to keep pace with competitors. The hardware-first approach gives Apple time to solve AI software challenges while building the foundation for future breakthrough products.

What happens to older Apple products?

Here's something worth noting if you're thinking about upgrading: at least six products, including some iPhones and Apple Watches, will be quietly discontinued from Apple's stores. This isn't just typical product lifecycle management—it's strategic portfolio optimization that reveals Apple's priorities.

The discontinuation pattern tells a story about market positioning. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be discontinued once the new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max hit the shelves, because Apple does not sell two Pro generations together. This maintains Pro exclusivity and prevents consumer confusion, but it also suggests Apple's confidence in significant Pro improvements.

More telling is that the iPhone 15 series, including the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, are expected to be retired immediately. This accelerated retirement schedule suggests Apple wants to eliminate products that might cannibalize iPhone 17 Air sales, indicating serious commercial expectations for the new ultra-thin model.

For the Apple Watch lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10 will likely be replaced by the new Series 11, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to be arriving, possibly leading to the Ultra 2 being discontinued. Interestingly, the Apple Watch SE's future remains uncertain, as it may remain on sale without a direct successor, possibly because it serves a budget-conscious segment that doesn't require cutting-edge features.

For buyers still considering these models, this may be the final chance to secure them directly from Apple. After September 9, availability will depend on third-party retailers and Apple's refurbished program—which often means limited color and storage options.

Where do we go from here?

Bottom line: This September event represents more than Apple's usual annual refresh cycle—it's the opening move in a multi-year strategy to redefine personal technology around spatial computing and health monitoring. With pre-orders likely starting on September 12 and general availability launching on September 19, we're looking at hardware that establishes new product categories rather than iterating on existing ones.

The iPhone 17 Air represents Apple's biggest design update since the iPhone X in 2017, but more importantly, it tests whether consumers will embrace radical thinness despite functional compromises. The fact that all iPhone 17 models will reportedly feature ProMotion 120Hz displays signals Apple's recognition that certain premium features can no longer justify Pro pricing.

The health-focused improvements across Apple Watch and AirPods reveal Apple's long-term vision for wearable technology as personal health infrastructure. Satellite connectivity in the Ultra 3 and heart-rate monitoring in AirPods Pro 3 aren't just new features—they're building blocks for a comprehensive health ecosystem that could eventually replace traditional medical monitoring in many scenarios.

Whether you're ready to embrace ultra-thin design with trade-offs, excited about satellite connectivity transforming outdoor adventures, or curious about continuous health monitoring through earbuds, Apple's 2025 lineup promises to establish new technology categories rather than just improving existing ones. And with the broader three-year transformation strategy positioning everything for AR glasses in 2027, this might just be the foundation of Apple's most significant hardware evolution since the original iPhone.

The key question isn't whether these products will be impressive—Apple's execution track record suggests they will be. The real question is whether Apple can use this hardware foundation to regain leadership in AI and spatial computing while maintaining the ecosystem integration that has driven its success. Based on the strategic coherence of this September lineup, Apple seems to have a clear plan for exactly that challenge.