Apple’s iPhone 17 ‘Awe dropping’ occasion is subsequent week — Here is what we count on on September 9

We’re now nearly per week away from the Apple’s “Awe dropping” occasion, the place the corporate is more likely to unveil the iPhone 17. This yr’s theme of “Awe dropping,” which was featured in Apple’s invitations to the media despatched on August 26 does not reveal a lot by the use of clues, however possibly the “dropping” is in reference to light-weight units dropping someway? Anyway, the keynote will likely be livestreamed on YouTube September 9 at 1PM ET from Cupertino. We’ll have three Engadget staff members reporting and liveblogging from Apple Park, in addition to to present their hands-on impressions, so be sure to come again right here for the newest protection.

This yr is shaping as much as be a departure from latest September product rollouts, with the robust risk of an all-new superthin iPhone anticipated to affix the corporate’s lineup. Additionally on faucet might be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary actually new Extremely mannequin in two years — and (possibly) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.

We bought a full rundown of what to anticipate on the occasion from the very best supply: Bloomberg Apple reporter Mark Gurman. Throughout his latest visitor look on the Engadget Podcast, Gurman shared his evaluation of what we count on to see, together with the anticipated battery and digital camera compromises of that rumored skinny iPhone (which everybody already calls the iPhone Air).

Anticipated to be roughly 5.55 mm thick, the iPhone Air could be the thinnest iPhone but, besting 2014’s iPhone 6 which, at 6.9 mm, was the earlier svelteness champ. They usually’ve solely gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Pro has a depth of 8.25 mm.) The Air would additionally give Apple a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which we discovered to be greater than a gimmick.

However the iPhone Air’s skinny design will doubtless result in some compromises. It is rumored to have solely a single 48 MP digital camera and a smaller battery. So, count on a trendy cellphone that… will not be for everybody.

The Professional lineup might supply some design tweaks and efficiency enhancements. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max are rumored to modify from titanium to aluminum. They might additionally see the rear digital camera array increase to a complete “island” that extends throughout a lot of the cellphone’s bottom. It is anticipated to deal with three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have steered it would have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might jump to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones may additionally add an anti-glare coating, much like these found on iPads.

The usual iPhone 17 might see some welcome show upgrades. Not less than one provide chain supply claimed it would add a 120Hz variable refresh fee (ProMotion) show, which the Professional sequence has used since 2021.

One factor we all know undoubtedly is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s biggest design refresh in years. It is simple to think about the corporate highlighting the brand new mannequin’s shows as one of the simplest ways to expertise the brand new Liquid Glass visible language. As for the naming scheme, there have not been any leaks pointing to an analogous {hardware} rebranding (“iPhone 26,” “iPhone 26 Professional,” and so forth.). However hey, Apple does like surprises.

Engadget’s iPhone 17 rumor roundup offers you a deeper dive into what to anticipate from the brand new fashions.

Apple’s fall occasion is not only for iPhones. The corporate can also be anticipated to roll out new Apple Watch fashions. 5G and a processor improve are expected for the Apple Watch Extremely 3. It could additionally allow you to ship texts by way of satellite tv for pc, helpful for individuals who use it out within the wilderness. Whatever the particulars, Apple hasn’t launched a brand new rugged and premium mannequin since 2023 (other than a new color), so it is due for an improve.

The Sequence 11 mannequin is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Sequence 10. In spite of everything, that mannequin launched a brand new design, with a thinner body and larger screen. (And Apple has traditionally stored these round in three-year cycles.). However a sooner chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.

The Apple Watch lineup and the corporate’s Health staff has been within the information of late too. Along with ongoing authorized battles over the wearable’s blood oxygen monitoring feature, Apple’s vp of health applied sciences Jay Blahnik has been accused of making a poisonous office surroundings, based on a New York Times report. It is unlikely that the corporate even mentions both of those conditions at its occasion on September 9, however it’s attention-grabbing background data for the health and wearable parts of its presentation.

We may additionally see the AirPods Professional 3 on the occasion. It has been about three years since Apple final upgraded its premium earbuds. The brand new mannequin might additionally convey some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (possibly) temperature sensing. Live translation is also rumored, though that might not be unique to the third-gen mannequin. However do not count on main design modifications, if the newest experiences from leaker Majin Bu (by way of MacRumors) are to be believed: Along with a “slight discount in measurement,” Bu notes the case will lose the bodily pairing button, whereas gaining capacitive controls.

Will there be different bulletins? Time will inform, however now we all know we cannot have to attend lengthy to seek out out. The official countdown clock has begun, and the solutions are simply days away.

Replace, September 2, 2025, 11:15AM ET: Tweaked the intro to precisely mirror how far we’re from the occasion at this cut-off date, and added a paragraph on latest happenings round Apple’s Watch and Health merchandise.

Replace, August 29, 2025, 2:32PM ET: Added insights from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman based mostly on his look on the Engadget Podcast.

Replace, August 28, 2025, 10:45AM ET: Added new report on AirPods 3 case particulars.

Replace, August 26, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added affirmation of official occasion invitation, date and time.