Apple has confirmed that its fall launch event will take place at 1 AM Hong Kong time on September 10. It’s widely anticipated that the star of the show will be the iPhone 17 series. Market insights suggest there will be four models, though with some structural changes: the standard iPhone 17, the newly introduced iPhone 17 Air, and the Pro and Pro Max. The Air is seen as a replacement for the Plus, designed to highlight a slim profile and large screen, targeting the business and fashion market; meanwhile, the Pro series may put a strong emphasis on camera capabilities and performance upgrades.
iPhone 17 Air: The Thinnest iPhone Ever?
The hottest rumor making waves lately is that the brand new iPhone 17 Air could be just about 5.5 to 6.25mm thick, making it nearly 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 and potentially the thinnest iPhone ever. Its single-lens module design is reportedly set with a 48-megapixel camera, with the flash positioned at the opposite end for a sleek finish. Sources also suggest that the Air will feature approximately a 6.6-inch OLED screen, utilizing TDDI technology to further reduce thickness. The rumored battery capacity is merely 2800mAh, but there’s a possibility of introducing new battery materials and proprietary chips to enhance energy efficiency. Even though it’s positioned as Lightweight Flagship, the Air is expected to sport the A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, with the front camera possibly upgraded to 24 megapixels to emphasize selfie quality.
iPhone 17 Air Black looks so good pic.twitter.com/ovOTNUKEg6
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) July 8, 2025
Pro Series: Will the camera module undergo a complete transformation?
Rumors suggest that the camera module design for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is set to undergo a major transformation. The new design may feature a horizontal rectangular layout, with three lenses arranged on the left side and the LiDAR sensor alongside the flash on the right, breaking away from the long-standing triangular arrangement. Reports indicate that all camera specs will be upgraded to 48 megapixels, supporting simultaneous recording at 4K 60fps. Additionally, the Pro Max is rumored to uniquely incorporate variable aperture technology (f/1.4–f/4.0), rivaling the depth-of-field control of DSLR cameras. The telephoto lens might adopt a four-prism structure, allowing for up to 8x optical zoom while incorporating AI stabilization to enhance telephoto stability. If these rumors are true, it means the Pro series’ imaging performance will take another leap forward.
Screen: Will the entire series be upgraded to 120Hz?
Multiple supply chain rumors suggest that this year, Apple might break its previous differentiation strategy, equipping the entire iPhone 17 lineup with 1–120Hz ProMotion displays and Always-On Display functionality. The Pro series is also likely to introduce iPad Pro-level textured glass to reduce glare. However, to accommodate a larger sensor and upgraded cooling structure, the Pro models’ thickness may increase slightly to 8.4–8.6mm. As a trade-off, battery capacity is rumored to be boosted to nearly 5000mAh, particularly for the Pro Max, which could become the longest-lasting iPhone yet.
A19 Chip: Will AI Computing Power Take a Giant Leap?
Market consensus predicts that the iPhone 17 will be equipped with the A19 series chip, utilizing TSMC’s N3p 3nm process. The standard version and Air model are likely to feature the A19, while the Pro series will house the A19 Pro. Rumors suggest that the A19 Pro will come with up to 12GB of RAM and a 48-core NPU, achieving a computing performance of 75 TOPS, enabling it to directly support Apple GPT and other local AI models. Additionally, the GPU is rumored to include dedicated ray tracing units, boosting 3D rendering performance by 300%. If this is true, it would represent a significant leap in the iPhone’s AI and gaming capabilities.
Batteries and Charging: Endurance and New Standards?
Rumors suggest that the battery capacity of the Air is only 2800mAh, raising concerns about its endurance; however, the Pro Max may see an increase to between 4850 and 5000mAh, and with an upgraded cooling system, its battery life could hit new highs. The entire series is expected to continue supporting MagSafe and may also be compatible with the new T2 25W wireless charging standard. Some leaks even mention that the Pro model is testing reverse wireless charging, which could power up AirPods or Apple Watch, but whether this feature will be finalized remains to be seen.
Colors and Pricing: More Youthful but Will They Be Priced Higher?
The iPhone 17 Pro may introduce new colors like navy blue and orange, while the standard version is expected to offer lighter hues such as gray, blue, green, and purple. There’s also speculation that the Air might launch in sky blue. This more vibrant color strategy seems to be Apple’s way of further differentiating their customer base. As for pricing, rumors suggest that the entire lineup could see an average price increase of about $50; the Air might align with the Plus range in terms of pricing, but the actual prices remain uncertain. The Pro Max, due to significant upgrades, is anticipated to potentially become the most expensive iPhone ever.
Based on various leaks, the iPhone 17 series appears to be a generation that aims to redefine thinness with its Major Update: the Air model raising the flag of extreme slimness, while the Pro series undergoes a complete overhaul of its imaging system. The entire lineup will see upgraded displays, along with the introduction of the A19 chip and iOS 26, making this year’s launch event particularly noteworthy. However, all this information remains speculative and is based on supply chain news, with no official confirmation from Apple. The final answer will only be revealed at the launch event on September 10.
