iPhone 17 Air: Apple's Thinnest Phone Ever Drops Sept 9

With Apple's biggest event of the year just 24 hours away, the rumor mill is working overtime. TechRadar confirms we're getting four iPhone 17 models, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, plus AirPods Pro 3 all debuting September 9. What makes this launch particularly intriguing, reports suggest Apple executives are calling this "the most ambitious" iPhone lineup in the product's history. Bold, right? We might even be looking at the thinnest iPhone ever.

What's actually changing with the iPhone 17 lineup?

Let’s break down what is solid. The iPhone 17 family is getting a major shakeup. TechRadar reports we'll see the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and here’s the twist, there's no Plus model. MacRumors confirms Apple is "doing away with the 'Plus' lineup because it has not proven popular with customers." Miss the Plus already? Probably not.

Instead, we're getting something entirely new, the iPhone 17 Air, which may replace the Plus model entirely. That pivot says Apple knows people tend to want either a compact powerhouse or maximum screen, not the awkward middle ground the Plus occupied.

Design changes are where things get interesting. Multiple sources point to the iPhone 17 Pro models getting a tweaked design with a new telephoto camera, while all models are expected to receive upgraded chips, cameras, and battery life. CNET reports that the iPhone 17 Air and Pro models will feature camera bumps stretching across the back of the phone, a radical departure from the current square arrangement.

This camera bar redesign is not just cosmetic, it is strategic. MobileSyrup explains Apple is implementing this chunkier camera bar to accommodate more advanced lens technology and larger sensors. Think of it as Apple finally embracing what Google pioneered with the Pixel's camera bar, only with their own twist. Gulf News notes the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will feature "a significant redesign, with a new camera area that spans the top third of the device's back." You will notice it the second the phone hits a table.

The iPhone 17 Air: Apple's thinnest phone ever

Here's where the rumors get genuinely exciting. The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be just 5.5mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever made. To put that in perspective, TechCrunch notes it's about 0.08 inches thinner than current iPhones. Thin enough to make you check your pocket twice.

That thinness comes with trade offs. MobileSyrup reports this phone will offer the same screen real estate as the iPhone 16 Plus but with only a single camera. The device will also be the first iPhone sold globally that only accepts eSIM, since there simply isn't room for a physical SIM card slot. TechCrunch even suggests there may not be enough space for a bottom speaker, which could limit audio.

What's fascinating is how Apple might have solved the battery challenge. Despite the ultra thin profile, MacRumors suggests three engineering solutions could contribute to longer battery life, a higher density battery technology, Apple's power efficient C1 modem, and the lack of an Ultra Wide camera providing more internal space for battery cells.

The big question is how people will react. Gulf News points out that the iPhone 17 Air's success will depend on whether buyers value the ultra thin design over battery life and camera capabilities, essentially testing whether form can triumph over function in the smartphone market.

Pro models get serious camera upgrades

The iPhone 17 Pro series is not just about a new silhouette, the camera system is getting a comprehensive overhaul that could finally justify the "Pro" tag for serious photographers. Tom's Guide reports both Pro models will feature a refreshed design and a new 48MP telephoto lens with 8x zoom, a significant jump from current 5x capabilities. MobileSyrup confirms all three rear cameras will be capable of taking 48 megapixel shots, including the telephoto.

One detail to watch, the mechanical aperture system. MacRumors suggests the iPhone 17 Pro models could feature a variable aperture that lets users manually adjust the camera opening size, changing the amount of light reaching the lens. That would give photographers rare control over depth of field and exposure, the kind of features usually reserved for professional rigs. If Apple nails the interface, this could be a sleeper hit for creators.

The Pro models are also getting internal upgrades that support those camera moves. Gulf News reports the Pro models will see a performance boost with the new A19 Pro chip, major camera enhancements, and a return to an aluminium frame for better heat dissipation. That thermal management matters. MacRumors notes the iPhone 17 Pro could use vapor chamber cooling technology for improved thermal performance, crucial for sustained performance during intensive camera work or gaming sessions.

What about the Apple Watch and AirPods?

The iPhone is not the only star of this show. TechRadar reports the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could include satellite connectivity and even experimental health features like blood pressure detection, a new chip, and a refined design. Tom's Guide adds that leaks suggest the Ultra 3 may have blood pressure monitoring capabilities, which would be a significant step for consumer health tracking.

The scale of change looks larger on Ultra. Gulf News describes it as seeing "a significant refresh with a slightly larger screen, a new S11 chip, and 5G Redcap connectivity." Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 11 sounds more modest, same design as its predecessor but with a brighter screen. Classic Apple, steady for the mainstream, bigger leaps for the premium model.

The AirPods Pro 3 could be the stealth MVP of Apple's ecosystem play. TechRadar indicates we'll see improved audio and a new chip, plus a health tracking focus with IR sensors for gesture control. MacRumors suggests Apple is preparing two versions of the AirPods Pro 3, one launching this year and a more advanced version in 2026 featuring infrared cameras for gesture controls and enhanced spatial audio with the Vision Pro.

The software could be the game changer. Gulf News reports Apple is exploring features like live translation software. Imagine having real time conversation translation right in your ears while traveling or in an international meeting. That turns AirPods from earbuds into communication tools that mesh cleanly with your iPhone 17.

Where do we go from here?

With Apple's event starting at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on Tuesday, September 9, we are about to see whether these ambitious rumors translate into reality. PCMag notes Apple executives have been calling this lineup "the most ambitious in the product's history," which sets sky high expectations for execution.

Pricing will set the tone for the iPhone 17 Air. TechCrunch speculates pricing could land around $950, which would put it between the base model and Pro series. If Apple delivers an impossibly thin device without giving up too much, it could reset design priorities across the market. If the compromises bite, limited battery life, a single camera, potential audio limits, it becomes an expensive lesson in form over function.

What is clear, Apple is not playing it safe this year. From the thinnest iPhone yet to major camera redesigns and health focused accessories that click together as an ecosystem, Tom's Guide reports we could see as many as seven new devices launched. Whether that ambition pays off will depend on Apple's ability to ship the bold ideas and keep the reliability and ease that customers expect. The stakes are high, the expectations are massive, and tomorrow should tell us if Apple is about to pull off its most transformative product launch in years.