What to Expect at Apple's September 9 iPhone 17 Launch Event?

Apple is all set to launch its next generation of devices on September 9, 2025. The event is expected to feature everything from the new iPhones to Apple Watches and AirPods. Here's everything you can expect from Apple's "Awe dropping" event.

iPhone 17 series to breathe a new "Air"

The main highlights of the event and what most people are looking forward to are the iPhone 17 series. Apple is expected to ditch the Plus variant for a new slim form factor, which could be called the iPhone Air, and it could be just 5.5 mm thick. Most of the iPhone 17 series specifications have already leaked.

The new Pro iPhones are expected to get a whole new look, with the base iPhone finally getting a 120 Hz display. While the iPhone 17 is expected to arrive with a 6.1-inch display, the 17 Air could feature a 6.6-inch unit. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could get 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch units, respectively.

All the iPhones in the series are expected to boast ProMotion displays, but the iPhone 17 likely won't get the always-on feature. Speaking of which, the iPhone 17 Pro could feature a smaller Dynamic Island.

The iPhone 17 could have the same wide and ultrawide snappers as the iPhone 16 series. The telephoto snappers on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might be upgraded to 48 MP units with 8x optical zoom, while the 48 MP ultrawide may be retained.

The 17 Air, on the other hand, could arrive with a single 48 MP rear unit. All iPhones are expected to arrive with an updated 24 MP front-facing camera.

The battery on the standard iPhone 17 and 17 Pro is expected to remain the same. However, iPhone 17 Pro Max could pack a 5,000mAh cell. Speaking of which, the Pro models may also offer 7.5W reverse wireless charging to charge AirPods and Apple Watches. Besides, all iPhone 17s could feature Q2.2 charging via MagSafe, which can charge them at 25W.

Finally, the A19 Pro chip could power the iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max and Air, while the iPhone 17 could get the A19 chip. Apple could also include the C1 chip alongside an Apple-developed Wi-Fi chip for faster Wi-Fi 7 speeds. It could be bundled with 8 GB RAM on the iPhone 17 and 12 GB on the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and 17 Air. 

The entire iPhone 17 series could get new colours with iPhone 17 getting Blue, Green and Purple colourways alongside the classic White and Black colours. The 17 Air may get Black, White, Light Blue and Light Gold, while the 17 Pro/Max are expected to arrive in Black, White, Dark Blue and Orange colours.

Build quality-wise, Apple could switch to Aluminium build on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, leaving the iPhone 17 Air as the only device with a Titanium build in the series. This makes sense considering Titanium's rigidity, which could help protect the iPhone 17 Air's slim profile.

Apple is also expected to increase the prices this year, with the iPhone 17 receiving a $30 bump, costing $829. The iPhone 17 Air could cost $979, the 17 Pro could come at $1049 (up from $999), while the 17 Pro Max could cost $1,249 (up from $1,199).

Apple could also launch new TechWoven cases for the iPhone 17 series. These cases are expected to have small holes at the bottom for a lanyard or a strap. Besides, we also expect Apple to release a bumper case and a Crossbody strap for the iPhone 17 Air. Like each year, Apple could also offer clear cases, as the iPhone 17 Pro's official clear case leaked recently.

Apple's yearly Watch upgrades and the awaited Watch SE 3

Apple is also expected to reveal the Apple Watch Series 11 in the event, alongside the Watch Ultra 3 and potentially the Watch SE 3. As per the rumours and leaks so far, the Series 11 and Watch 3 are expected to boast a similar design with a higher resolution and brighter LTPO screens, which could help the watches last longer.

The Apple Watch SE 3 could get a refreshed design with a few new exterior changes. Rumours suggest the SE 3 could finally get an always-on display. The Series 11 and Watch Ultra 3 are expected to get a new S11 SiP, while the SE 3 could jump to the S9 SiP. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also expected to get Satellite Connectivity like the Pixel Watch 4.

The S11 SiP could bring both power and efficiency gains and might finally make the Series 11 last for two whole days. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, with its bigger battery combined with the new chip, could last four days. Software-wise, the watches could feature the latest WatchOS 26.

Previous rumours also suggested Apple partnering with Corning to introduce stronger and scratch-resistant display protection on the Series 11 and Ultra 3. Like each year, Apple could introduce a few new health features, alongside a brief announcement about the Blood Oxygen feature returning to the Watches after almost two years.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to cost the same as the Series 10, starting at $399 for the 42 mm variant and $429 for the 46 mm variant. The newer Ultra could also get a price bump, although we don't have any details about the same. The price of the SE 3 is expected to remain the same at $249.

AirPods Pro 3 with familiar upgrades

While there's not much information in the wild about the AirPods 3 Pro, a few rumours give us a potential idea of what to expect. Like the AirPods 4, the AirPods 3 Pro could boast a smaller case and ditch the pairing button. The earbuds themselves may also shrink. Besides, we could get better audio quality, which is a standard change in new AirPods each year.

Rumours also suggest better Active Noise Cancellation on the AirPods 3 Pro, alongside further transparency mode improvements, thanks to the rumoured H3 chip. It could also improve the connection range and overall connectivity, and feature Live Translation.

Besides featuring the Hearing Assistant feature, Apple is expected to improve the same in the AirPods 3 Pro. Combined with health features like heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing, it could boast better health features.

iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26 release dates

Earlier this year, Apple announced a shift in naming scheme across its operating systems, alongside a new Liquid Glass revamp, unifying the design. iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26 were all announced during this year's WWDC, and Apple recently pushed what could be their last beta updates. iOS 26 brings many features, and it's the one users are looking forward to the most.

Therefore, we expect Apple to unveil official rollout dates of its newest operating system. Going by the previous releases, we expect Apple to release them a couple of days after the September 9, 2025 announcement, around the time when the iPhone 17 series goes on pre-orders.

And that was everything that Apple could announce in its Awe Dropping event on September 9, 2025. While Apple could have more for us in store, there just aren't enough details about anything besides the new iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods. Also, Apple is expected to manufacture the iPhone 17 lineup in India.

Apple fans must also be holding on to the firm, potentially teasing its first foldable, but it's less likely to happen. That said, stay tuned as we will be covering anything Apple and event-related that's headed our way.