We’re seemingly solely round a month away (give or take) from Apple’s subsequent iPhone launch occasion. This yr’s shindig might see the thinnest iPhone so far becoming a member of the iPhone 17 lineup. Additionally on faucet may very well be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary Extremely mannequin in two years — and (perhaps) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.
Apple’s iPhone household will seemingly welcome a brand new member this yr. The iPhone Air is anticipated to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. The thinnest mannequin up to now has been 2014’s iPhone 6, at 6.9 mm. They usually’ve solely gotten chunkier since then. (The iPhone 16 Professional has a depth of 8.25 mm.) So, the Air would stand out from its friends in that respect. It might 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 seemingly 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 iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max sitting on a desk.
(Brian Oh for Engadget)
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 broaden to a complete “island” that extends throughout many of the cellphone’s bottom. It is anticipated to deal with three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have prompt it should have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might leap to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones can also add an anti-glare coating, just like these discovered on iPads.
The usual iPhone 17 might see some welcome show upgrades. At the very least one provide chain supply claimed it should add a 120Hz variable refresh fee (ProMotion) show, which the Professional collection has used since 2021.
Apple’s iOS 26 Liquid Glass design language. Closeup of the underside of an iPhone, exhibiting Apple Music’s new translucent controls.
(Apple)
One factor we all know indisputably is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s largest design refresh in years. It is easy to think about the corporate highlighting the brand new mannequin’s shows as one of the best 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 many others.). 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.
Two Apple Watch Extremely 2 fashions, propped up on a demo desk. Blurred background.
(Cherlynn Low for Engadget)
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 anticipated for the Apple Watch Extremely 3. It could additionally allow you to ship texts through satellite tv for pc, helpful for many who use it out within the wilderness. Whatever the particulars, Apple hasn’t launched a brand new rugged and premium mannequin since 2023 (aside from a brand new coloration), so it is due for an improve.
The Collection 11 mannequin is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Collection 10. In spite of everything, that mannequin launched a brand new design, with a thinner physique and bigger display screen. (And Apple has traditionally saved these round in three-year cycles.). However a sooner chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.
We can also 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 deliver some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (perhaps) temperature sensing. Stay translation can also be rumored, though that might not be unique to the third-gen mannequin.
