Apple has officially announced its next product event where it will announce the new iPhone 17 lineup alongside new Apple Watch hardware. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 9. The tagline for the event reads “Awe dropping” and features an infrared view of the Apple logo.
What to expect
Apple will announce four new iPhones, including an ultra thin model.
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 is expected to mostly be an internal update to the iPhone 16 design introduced last year. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air will be Apple’s new ultra thin design with a display slightly smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus that it replaces in the lineup. Like the iPhone mini before it, the iPhone Plus is expected to retire after a few short years.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will share similar specs, aside from the display size, and thickness could actually increase this year, especially in the Max size, possibly in service of greater battery life. Both Pro models as well as the Air model should feature a redesigned camera system that spans across the width of the back glass instead of a round box positioned on the top left. Apple is also expected to sell iPhone 17 Pro for a higher price with fewer storage options. We’ll also likely see the iPhone 15, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max be discontinued following the event.
We also expect to see two updated Apple Watch models:
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple may also announce AirPods Pro 3 after a few years of revving AirPods Pro 2. At last year’s iPhone event, Apple introduced AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation, so that hardware is still relatively new.
Meanwhile, Apple may introduce a new premium case option called TechWoven. This technical fabric option is the next successor to leather, following the failed FineWoven fiasco from two years ago.
The name “Liquid Silicone” has been tossed around for Apple’s standard silicone cases. We’ll see if that name sticks or if it was just a rumor.
Both official Apple cases will likely feature lanyard holes on either side of the case bottom. This would support a single lanyard loop like the AirPods Pro 2 case. We may see an official Crossbody Strap accessory that uses both lanyard loop attachments to turn your iPhone into a sling, of sorts.
Separately, a rumored iPhone 4-style Bumper case that wraps around the edges may be planned for the iPhone 17 Air. Apple has also reportedly considered bringing back its discontinued MagSafe battery pack specifically for the iPhone 17 Air at some point.
New Apple Watch models are typically joined by updated watch bands too. This could mean new colors, new designs, and possibly new materials. When Apple dropped leather as part of its Apple 2030 carbon neutrality goal, it replaced existing leather straps with FineWoven versions that are still sold today. Will TechWoven replace FineWoven this year?
We’ll see all that and more at Apple’s iPhone 17 event in two weeks.
How to watch
The event will air on Tuesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. The event will be pre-recorded with some media in attendance at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Apple streams its events on apple.com, YouTube, and the Apple TV app.
As always, 9to5Mac will bring you every detail from the iPhone 17 event as soon as news breaks. Stay tuned to 9to5Mac in the meantime as we continue to learn more about what Apple has planned for its fall event.
Chance Miller and I will be in attendance for 9to5Mac’s hands-on coverage of everything announced in two weeks.