Apple is expected to unveil iPhone 17 and more at the 'Awe Dropping' event on Tuesday: Here's everything we know
It's now just a few hours away: At 1PM ET on Tuesday, Apple is all but certain to unveil the iPhone 17 line. This year's theme of "Awe dropping," which was featured in Apple's invitations to the media sent on August 26 doesn't reveal much by way of clues, though some think the heat-mapped Apple logo is indicative of better thermal cooling in the new models. But more importantly, we already know how to watch the Apple iPhone 17 event itself: The keynote will be livestreamed on YouTube from Cupertino. We'll have three Engadget team members reporting, liveblogging and providing their hands-on impressions from Apple Park, so make sure you come back here for the latest coverage.
This year is shaping up to be a departure from recent September product rollouts, with the strong possibility of an all-new superthin iPhone expected to join the company's lineup. Also on tap could be new Apple Watch models — including the first truly new Ultra model in two years — and (maybe) the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3.
Bloomberg Apple reporter Mark Gurman confirmed his expectation for all of the above products to arrive as expected next week in his recent event preview story. Gurman had previously reported many of those details, including the expected battery and camera compromises of that rumored thin iPhone (which everyone already calls the iPhone Air). You can hear him share his full analysis of the upcoming lineup — and even a peek at some 2026 iPhone models — during his recent guest appearance on the Engadget Podcast.
Expected to be roughly 5.55 mm thick, the iPhone Air would be the thinnest iPhone yet, besting 2014's iPhone 6 which, at 6.9 mm, was the previous svelteness champ. And they've only gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) The Air would also give Apple a direct rival to Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, which we found to be more than a gimmick.
Apple (screenshot)
But the iPhone Air's thin design will likely lead to some compromises. It's rumored to have only a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery — one that's about 16% less capacious than the iPhone 17's power source, if a late-breaking leak on X is to be believed. That said, Taiwan's TrendForce, a market research firm quoted in a recent MacRumors story, suggests that the Air will sport a high-density "silicon anode battery" that could theoretically provide more power from a smaller frame.
The Pro lineup could offer some design tweaks and performance improvements. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to switch from titanium to aluminum. They could also see the rear camera array expand to an entire "island" that extends across most of the phone's backside. It's expected to house three cameras (as before), but multiple rumors have suggested it will have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens could jump to 48MP, which would strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The phones may also add an anti-glare coating, similar to those found on iPads.
The standard iPhone 17 could see some welcome display upgrades. At least one supply chain source claimed it will add a 120Hz variable refresh rate (ProMotion) display, which the Pro series has used since 2021.
Apple
One thing we know without a doubt is that the new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple's biggest design refresh in years. It's easy to imagine the company highlighting the new model's displays as the best way to experience the new Liquid Glass visual language. As for the naming scheme, there haven't been any leaks pointing to a similar hardware rebranding ("iPhone 26," "iPhone 26 Pro," etc.). But hey, Apple does like surprises.
Engadget's iPhone 17 rumor roundup gives you a deeper dive into what to expect from the new models.
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
Apple's fall event isn't just for iPhones. The company is also expected to roll out new Apple Watch models. 5G and a processor upgrade are expected for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It may also let you send texts via satellite, handy for those who use it out in the wilderness. Regardless of the details, Apple hasn't launched a new rugged and premium model since 2023 (apart from a new color), so it's due for an upgrade.
The Series 11 model is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Series 10. After all, that model introduced a new design, with a thinner body and larger screen. (And Apple has historically kept those around in three-year cycles.). But a faster chip also seems logical. Perhaps we'll see 5G arrive on the standard wearable, too.
The Apple Watch lineup and the company's Fitness team has been in the news of late too. In addition to ongoing legal battles over the wearable's blood oxygen monitoring feature, Apple's vice president of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik has been accused of creating a toxic workplace environment, according to a New York Times report. It's unlikely that the company even mentions either of these situations at its event on September 9, but it is interesting background information for the fitness and wearable portions of its presentation.
We may also see the AirPods Pro 3 at the event. It's been about three years since Apple last upgraded its premium earbuds. The new model could also bring some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (maybe) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, although that may not be exclusive to the third-gen model. But don't expect major design changes, if the latest reports from leaker Majin Bu (via MacRumors) are to be believed: In addition to a "slight reduction in size," Bu notes the case will lose the physical pairing button, while gaining capacitive controls.
We aren't holding our breath for any major developments around Apple's AI or its overhauled Siri, which was announced last summer. Mark Gurman reported ahead of Tuesday's event that Apple is working on an AI search product that it plans to launch with the new Siri, but these aren't scheduled to arrive until March.
Will there be other announcements? Time will tell, but now we know we won't have to wait long to find out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the answers are just days away.
Update, September 8, 2025, 5:49PM ET: Added a new leak that appears to confirm a lower battery capacity for the iPhone Air.
Update, September 7, 2025, 1:53PM ET: Added a new report from Mark Gurman about the timeline for Apple's upgraded Siri and AI search.
Update, September 6, 2025, 10:20AM ET: Added a link to Mark Gurman's latest Bloomberg story, which confirms and expands on his months of previous reporting on the imminent new Apple hardware.
Update, September 4, 2025, 7:20PM ET: Added a new report that the iPhone Air may feature a high-density battery.
Update, September 3, 2025, 2:20PM ET: Included a reference and link to the theory that the invitation graphic suggests a new cooling system for the upcoming iPhones.
Update, September 2, 2025, 11:15AM ET: Tweaked the intro to accurately reflect how far we are from the event at this point in time, and added a paragraph on recent happenings around Apple's Watch and Fitness products.
Update, August 29, 2025, 2:32PM ET: Added insights from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman based on his appearance on the Engadget Podcast.
Update, August 28, 2025, 10:45AM ET: Added new report on AirPods 3 case details.
Update, August 26, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added confirmation of official event invitation, date and time. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-expected-to-unveil-iphone-17-and-more-at-the-awe-dropping-event-on-tuesday-heres-everything-we-know-090059585.html?src=rss