Today is the day of what I'm sure is going to be the largest Apple event of the year. We're expecting four new phones to make up the iPhone 17 family, the AirPods Pro 3 with added AI, and the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Both Jacob Krol and Lance Ulanoff should soon be making their way to Cupertino and the Steve Jobs Theater to see the showcase live and report back. But the wider TechRadar's team will bring you the news and other reactions remotely.
To get ready for the event and all the last-minute news and rumors, you're in the right place, as this blog has the lot, so keep your browser locked on to it.
Now let's get into this...
- Apple announced new iPhone models, including the iPhone 17 with an Apple A19 chipset
- There is a new iPhone Air that is only 5.6mm thick but still uses the new Apple A19 Pro chipset
- The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have a totally redesigned aluminum frame
- Apple Watch SE 3 is a new inexpensive Watch with an all-day always-on display
- The Apple Watch 11 has new health features including a blood pressure monitor
- Apple's premiere Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the longest battery life and biggest display of any Apple Watch
- New AirPods Pro 3 offer live translation and a more comfortable fit with better ANC
- Tell me what you were most excited to see at the Apple event on September 9!
Watch Apple's 'Awe dropping' event live on September 9
Apple’s event started at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on Tuesday, September 9.
Touted as an ‘Awe dropping’ event, we expected a big product showcase. Here is the live blog unedited, as it happened:
Live updates
Come with me and get ready for the big Apple event
Good morning (or good whatever it is wherever you are), I'm Managing Editor of Mobile Computing, Roland Moore-Colyer here to take you through the run-up to the Apple event on September 9.
For more years than I'd care to count, I've been covering Apple and iPhones for years, alongside the occasional flirt with iPads, Apple Watches and Airpods, so I'm well versed in the way of Cupertino and its crew.
Naturally, nothing is official here as Apple keeps very tight-lipped over its upcoming products. But there are enough rumors and leaks to chew over and give us a good idea of what to expect.
Catch up on all the iPhone 17 news and rumors
First things first, I've got an article that's pulled together all the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro news and rumors, so do go and check that out so you're up to speed with what to expect from the iPhone side of the Apple event tomorrow.
I reckon the iPhone 17 Pro will steal the show with tipped camera upgrades, but the standard iPhone 17 could still be the one to watch. And we may even see the much-rumored iPhone 17 Air.
More iPhone 17 Pro leaks
According to the latest iPhone 17 rumor, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may not come in black.
It would be very odd for Apple to ditch one of the most common colors in the smartphone world, but this is going by pictures have been posted by reliable tipster @UniverseIce, and are described as "engineering models".
This is the closest photo of the whole Internet to the real iPhone 17 Pro Max. They are engineering machine models. This time there is no black version, only this dark blue. pic.twitter.com/OKzHLuItC5September 7, 2025
Guess we've not got long to go before we see if the rumor bears fruit.
Can the iPhone 17 Pro impress?
My colleague and Phones Editor Axel Metz can't seem to get excited for the iPhone 17 Pro; he reckons his iPhone 16 Pro is more than good enough and Apple will have to do something special to win his approval.
"By all accounts, the iPhone 17 Pro will be another home run from Apple. But as someone who’s already totally happy with the performance of my iPhone 16 Pro, I’m struggling to buy into the September 9 Apple event hype," he wrote.
"To be clear: if you’re currently rocking an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, I can absolutely appreciate that the iPhone 17 series sounds like a major step-up. And it will be.
"But a lot of the rumors we’ve been reporting on over the past few weeks refer to upgrades over the iPhone 16 series, specifically. You’ve read about new telephoto cameras, smoother displays, and the minor redesign of the iPhone’s rear panel. This is how Apple will present its 2025 lineup on September 9 – as a year-on-year improvement over its suite of current best iPhones."
Here's how iPhone 17 could catch up to the Samsung Galaxy S25
Speaking of minor upgrades, perhaps it's more interesting to see think of how the iPhone 17 could challenge the Samsung Galaxy S25.
Well, that's what Staff Writer Jamie Richards had done.
"To put it frankly, the Galaxy S25 is a more advanced phone than the iPhone 16, so if Apple wants the iPhone 17 to compete on a hardware and software level, it’s got some catching up to do," noted Jamie.
We've rated iPhone 17 rumors
Give the volume of iPhone 17 rumors that are flying around, my phones team has rated which ones we're most likely to se come to fruition at the Apple event tomorrow.
The most intriguing is the iPhone 17 Air, as Axel Metz explains: "One of the most exciting rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 line concerns the appearance of Apple's new handsets.
"According to reports, the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature large camera blocks running horizontally across their respective rear panels, giving all three phones a Google Pixel 10-style feel."
It's still a tad tricky to determine how likely this will all come to pass, but the camera desing change looks to be locked in.
Read more: iPhone 17 rumors rated – what to really expect at the Apple event
Right let's bounce away from iPhones for the moment and talk the Apple Watch series...
Expect the Apple Watch Series 11
So it's over to Matt Evans, Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, to give you a lowdown on what we expect from the next generation of Apple Watch:
"First up, the mainline Apple Watch Series 11. Last year, the Apple Watch Series 10 got a big wraparound screen and a slimmer metallic body. For Apple, that's positively revolutionary, so don't expect many exterior design changes here.
"Hardware-wise, it's likely to get a new chipset to future-proof it against even more AI software advances, and blood pressure estimations. Blood pressure without using an inflated cuff is the holy grail most smartwatches have yet to crack with LEDs: at the moment, the standard way to do it is take your measurement with a cuff, then the watch will estimate via your metrics whether it's going up or down.
"If Apple has cracked true cuffless measurement, we'll be very surprised. A new report claims it might not be ready in time."
Brightness boost for the Apple Watch
"That same report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also says we'll be getting a brighter screen. With many other watches matching or exceeding Apple, offering up to 3,000 nits of brightness, expect Apple to stay competitive here," noted Evans.
"Unfortunately, if this is true, it's unlikely we'll be getting a battery life increase, which is something I personally want this go-round. I still think 18 hours is too short, even with fast charging."
Apple Watch Ultra 3: is a big upgrade coming?
Sticking with Matt Evans, he's now talking about the Apple Watch Ultra 3:
"As there was only a new Titanium Black color opton last year, it's very likely we'll get a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, with a similar design and protruding Action Button as its predecessor, the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
"A new chipset and sensor array is likely, and perhaps we'll get satellite connectivity for emergency communication, like the Google Pixel Watch 4.
"5G connectivity is also very likely. All this is in addition to a new chipset, possible blood pressure detection, a brighter screen, and new AI smarts thanks to watchOS 26."
Will we see an Apple Watch SE 3?
And one more thing from Matt Evans...
"Finally, unconfirmed rumors of an Apple Watch SE 3 persist. Every couple of years, Apple takes some of the Apple Watch's older components, slaps them inside a cheaper case and repackages them as an affordable, accessible Apple Watch capable of running current-gen software. This is the SE series.
"It's been three years since the launch of the Apple Watch SE 2, so the time is ripe for an update. Expect the SE 3 to pack a more powerful chipset and new metallic colors, and it might even share the Apple Watch Series 10's new larger, wraparound screen, in order to future-proof the SE series as much as possible."
Let's talk AirPods Pro 3 and other Apple audio
Now it's time to draw upon the thoughts of Audio Editor Becky Scarrott for what we can expect from the AirPods Pro 3 and other audio products from Apple.
If AirPods Pro 3 arrive without the one thing we all want, is it still good news?
Becky Scarrott, your friendly Audio Editor here, and I've got thoughts on Apple's impending 'Awe Inspiring' event as far as the Cupertino's ice-white earbuds output goes.
The case has been leaked (see above) and most noted tipsters agree: AirPods Pro 3 are a dead cert for Apple's big shindig – but there's a catch.
While the latest leak claims two oft-requested perks will arrive with the new Pro-suffixed AirPods iteration – namely heart-rate monitoring to match the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 and also a temperature sensor – two will not.
Here's what not to expect from the AirPods Pro 3
What should we not expect? Live translation, which is a biggie. And dare I say it, that might leave the tech giant looking a little second-best (hello Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE with real-time translation) against its biggest rival.
Also reportedly off the menu is the rumored IR camera feature. While that was never expected in this set (it's more of a long-term goal for Apple and one I truly cannot wait for) it does leave me wondering if AirPods Pro 3 will still wow viewers if and when they do indeed make their big reveal…
AirPods Max 2? Don't hold your breath
I think it'd be remiss of me not to mention that if you were hoping for a fresh set of Apple over-ears a mere five years after the originals launched in December 2020, don't cancel your plans…
The AirPods Max 2 are one of the most requested products among Apple's devoted fanbase, but despite adding USB-C Lossless audio to the OG set in March 2025 (which I adore) Apple isn't rushing a second-gen. set.
Why? Well, according to a recent Bloomberg report the issue is simple: AirPods Max are "too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money into creating a new version" – and after all, there's the AirPods Pro 3 to focus on, this coming Tuesday…
Disappointed? I think given the length of time between iterations – which is, let me be clear, an awfully long time in audio tech terms – you've every right to be.
iPhone 17 leak might have revealed every battery spec
Right is back to me, Roland, for a new iPhone 17 lea, this time apparently revealing every battery spec for each iPhone 17 model.
This comes from leaker ShrimpApplePro on X, who claims to have found the data in a Chinese regulatory database.
Model |
Without eSIM |
With eSIM |
|---|---|---|
iPhone 17 |
3,692mAh (up 3.7% vs iPhone 16) |
3,692mAh (up 3.7% vs iPhone 16) |
iPhone 17 Air |
3,036mAh |
3,149mAh (down 33% vs iPhone 16 Plus) |
iPhone 17 Pro |
3,988mAh |
4,252mAh (up 18.7% vs iPhone 16 Pro) |
iPhone 17 Pro Max |
4,823mAh |
5,088mAh (up 8.6% vs iPhone 16 Pro Max) |
Read more: iPhone 17 leak may have revealed every battery spec – and there are a few juicy surprises
iPhone 17 colors could be meh
Jamie Richards doesn't seem convinced by the iPhone 17 colors, which look to be pastel-like in ue.
"As such, we’ve seen some reasonably likely rumored colors for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I’ve got to say I’m a bit underwhelmed," writes Jamie.
"We’ve seen the usual black, white, grey, and silver options for each handset, but for want of better phrasing, the other choices just aren’t doing it for me."
Read more: The rumored iPhone 17 colors are nothing special – but an old Apple strategy could set things right
Tell me what you're most excited to see at the Apple event on September 9
Now to hear from you. Let me know which product you're most excited to see at the Apple event by using the poll below.
I'm going to bounce over to Staff Writer Jamie Richards to get some of his thoughts on the iPhone 17 now...
A breath of fresh iPhone 17 Air
I’m looking forward to finally seeing the iPhone 17 Air. I was impressed by the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge when it launched back in May, so I’m keen to see whether Apple has made something equally viable.
If the iPhone 17 Air costs less than $999, as has been rumored, it’ll be an easy choice over the Galaxy S25 Edge.
iPhone 17 Pro redesign
Dozens of rumors later, and I’m still undecided on the rumored iPhone 17 Pro redesign.
The addition of a chunky new camera bar is certainly different to Apple’s typically minimalist design choices, but could give the phone a greater sense of presence. I’m not sure I’ll have my mind made up until we see a proper reveal on September 9.
iPhone 17 could get passed over... kinda
Spare a thought for the base-model iPhone 17 – with the Pros due for a major redesign and the iPhone 16 Plus evolving into the iPhone 17 Air, this year’s event could be pretty quiet for the standard model.
I’m at least hoping for a 120Hz display upgrade – without it, there’ll be no point in paying the iPhone 17 any mind.
Why an iPhone 17 Pro redesign? We don't know
As far as we’re aware, there’s no technical reason for the expected iPhone 17 Pro redesign, but a new telephoto camera would at least give the new look some sort of associated functionality.
While I think the rumored 8x lens is unlikely, a bump up to 48MP from the current 12MP sensor would be more than welcome.
iPhone 16 Pro: time to say goodbye?
As per usual, the release of the iPhone 17 series is likely to spell the end of production for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Luckily, the discontinuation of these models is likely to bring the price of new units down for a while, at least until they become rarer in a couple of years’ time.
So, how did the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max fare in their time at the helm of Apple’s mobile lineup? If you ask me, very well. The outgoing Pro iPhones brought some real tangible upgrades, such as larger screens with smaller bezels, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and the new Camera Control button shared with its smaller siblings. Here’s hoping the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max can carry on this momentum.
Read more: Will the iPhone 16's price drop when the iPhone 17 launches? Here's my prediction as a phones expert
iPhone 17 Air single camera
Keen-eyed TechRadar readers will have noticed that the unofficial iPhone 17 Air renders and images we’ve reported on all suggest the new handset will have just the one camera.
Personally, I don’t think that’s much of an issue – I’ve used the ultra-wide camera on my phone maybe five times in the last year, and Apple’s main cameras are unfailingly excellent. Assuming that the main camera really is the same on both models, the iPhone 17 Air should be almost as good for photography as the standard iPhone 17.
Orange iPhone 16 Pro
The pattern for the iPhone Pro and Pro Max in the last few years has been to release the phones in a handful of muted colors with a ‘wildcard’ thrown in there for a bit of flavor. It seems that this year’s crazy color could be a rather bright orange, and… sure, why not?
It’ll catch some eyes, but it’s not as in-your-face as the bright gold last seen with the iPhone 14 Pro or as vibrant as the base-model iPhone 16’s colors. Still, it beats any of the iPhone 16 Pro’s drab color options.
Action Button stations
One rumor suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro could combine the Action Button and volume rocker into one combined button – but I’m not a fan of this idea.
One of the coolest things about the iPhone is how much hardware control it gives you – the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S25 feel a bit lacking in comparison. Here’s hoping the Action Button survives.
A catch to the iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro is likely to find its way to our lists of the best phones and best iPhones, but we’ve already heard some rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro that could persuade some users to wait another year.
As MacRumors reports, these include a variable-aperture main camera and under-display Face ID. That alone wouldn’t give me reason to wait another year, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Gaming ambitions for iPhone
When it comes to gaming, the iPhone 17 series could get a boost thanks to a new vapor chamber that allows for expanded cooling.
The iPhone is already my destination of choice for mobile gaming thanks to the App Store’s selection of triple-A titles, but this should make staying in the game even easier.
Is this the iPhone 17's crossbody strap?
We may have got a first look at the iPhone 17 Crossbody Strap for the iPhone 17. This comes from tech tipster Sonny Dickson shared the images in a post to X, which show a woven strap in bright orange.
While colorful, it's not exactly exciting on its own. And we have no way to verify Dickson's assertion that this is an actual Apple product. But it still looks like a new iPhone accessory could be incoming.
Here’s your first look at the Crossbody Strap for iPhone 17, do people actually use these? pic.twitter.com/jcJOuleRbqSeptember 8, 2025
A better base
I know everyone is excited about the anticipated iPhone 17 Air and even a better iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, but let's not forget the iconic base model: the iPhone 17.
Frequent TechRadar contributor Paul Hatton wrote an in-depth look at all the anticipated changes coming to what will likely be the cheapest handset of the lineup, and they're all pretty impactful. We've got:
- A fast display
- A bigger display
- A better selfie camera
- Faster charging
- Even better wiFi 7
A pretty good list, and if the iPhone 17 costs no more than the iPhone 16 that preceded it, that's a big win.
You can read Paul's full piece here.
Will Apple use Google Gemini to upgrade Siri?
Could Apple switch to using Gemini for the iPhone 17? I think it would be unlikely, given that Apple is already in cahoots with OpenAI and has ChatGPT integration up and running, but there have certainly been rumors that Apple has been in talks with Google to make a Gemini-powered Siri.
There are reasons why this would make sense. Gemini can already read your email, so that would add a major feature to Apple Intelligence, and a Siri that could talk back as well as Gemini is exactly what Apple users want.
I just can't see Apple jumping into bed with its biggest rival in the smartphone OS business though, but let's wait and see what happens.
Will we get new Apple Intelligence features with the iPhone 17?
We've already seen some of the things that Apple Intelligence can do in iOS 26, such as pick out details from a screenshot using Visual Intelligence, and use those to update your calendar.
On the whole though I get the feeling that Apple will focus more on the hardware of the iPhone 17 on Tuesday and dry to move on pretty quickly from Apple Intelligence features.
I think it's too soon for Apple to bring us anything truly revolutionary on that front, like a more intelligent Siri.
Heart of Glass
Apple calls the new design esthetic across the new software on all its devices Liquid Glass.
"This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content, delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more," says Apple.
For those of us old enough to remember Windows Vista, it looks incredibly familiar. But will it be as delightful and elegant as Apple tell us it will be? I am open to being convinced, but I also imagine that the first thing a lot of new iPhone 17 owners will do is turn off Liquid Glass and try and return iOS to the way it used to look.
One more thing
Will there be a' One More Thing' at Apple's iPhone launch on Tuesday? I'm trying to think what I'd like to see most, and I think for me it's an upgrade to AirPods Pro 3 that might include some new health sensors.
But what I'd really like to see is it include some sort of AI. I want my AirPods Pros to talk back to me more than they already do!
Which phone is going to generate the most excitement? That's easy. Our US Mobiles Editor Phil Berne says it's going to be the iPhone 17 Air, hands-down.
That's because the iPhone 17 Air, if the rumors are true, is going to make a lot of sacrifices in order to be thin. If it's going to out-thin the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, it's going to need to sacrifice even more than Samsung's phone, which could mean quite a few different cuts.
A smaller battery is an obvious necessity. The iPhone 17 Air will also likely have fewer cameras, only one or two lenses. Will it get the Pro-level processor? Probably not, because that would drain the battery faster. So would a screen with a faster refresh rate.
We don't even know if the iPhone 17 Air is really real, but all rumors and leaks point to yes, and if so, Apple is going to have to sell the dickens out of this phone. It's going to have to generate its own heat because the vapor chamber is going to keep things cool inside.
Good morning, it’s Roland Moore-Colyer here, back again and ready to take your through today’s last-minute Apple rumors and other analysis and thoughts as the clocks ticks down to today’s Apple event.
Where are the final moment iPhone 17 rumors?
It seems to me that it's suspiciously quiet on the iPhone 17 rumors front today. Normally some pop up around htis time ahead of a main event, but not much so far.
It could be a case that some big leakers are holding back their information before the event itself, as that's happened before.
iPhone 17 Pro telephoto camera upgrade hype
Lance Ulanoff is getting a bit excited about the rumored upgraded telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The camera is tipped to have a 48-megapixel sensor and supports an 8x optical zoom.
"This is a big deal. First, it brings the next iPhone 17 Pro Max one big step closer (and even surpassing in one way) to its nearest rival, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which already has a 50MP 5x optical zoom periscope camera," writes Ulanoff.
"It's also just a massive upgrade from the 12MP 5x optical zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max."
Read more: This one rumor has me more excited about the iPhone 17 than anything else
Will Apple shake things up?
Bouncing this over to Senior Editor of AI Graham Barlow for some of his thoughts:
"Apple events are some of the best staged in the business. You only need to watch 10 minutes of the slightly shambolic Made by Google Showcase to realize how slick Apple's events are in comparison.
"Personally I'm finding they're getting a bit repetitive though. They all seem to feature Apple's spaceship-looking HQ and a camera that flies through the various rooms and corridors, which are made almost entirely of glass before settling on an Apple employee who gives you a talk about how excited they are to present some new fitness videos, or something equally bland.
I" miss the Steve Jobs era, when the unexpected or 'insanely great' could happen at any moment. These days Apple feels very safe and corporate, I just wish it would shake things up a little."
AirPods Pro 3 disappointment incoming...
So this could be some bad news: Bloomberg's journalist Mark Gurman has claimed that the rumored AirPods Pro 3 will miss out on “major” tweaks to two of its most important aspects. Those are audio and active noise cancelation (ANC).
But Apple could focus on other features like heart-rate tracking via LED sensors that can measure your blood flow, and use that data to feed into popular fitness and health apps.
Read more: Hoping for big AirPods Pro 3 changes? Last-minute rumors suggest you could be disappointed
Becky Scarrott, our Audio Editor supreme, has some thoughts on the AirPods Pro 3 situation:
"OK, so they're not the Apple earbuds you want to know about today, but given the furore surrounding the (highly likely) impending launch of AirPods Pro 3, it would be remiss of us not to draw to your attention the unreleased Beats Powerbeats Fit.
"Why? Because the leaks are springing up left right and center now. What to expect? Think Powerbeats Pro 2 but without the antiquated 2017 ear-clip design – and hopefully with heart-rate monitoring (maybe even temperature sensing) and a more affordable price-tag too. Food for thought if you're holding out for AirPods Pro 3…"
I’m still low-key looking forward to seeing the AirPods Pro 3. Sure they may not have the audio chops of the very best earbuds, but I’m more intrigued by potential smart features. I do quite like that my AirPods Pro can do despite their age, so I’m keen to see what the third iteration brings to the table.
Back to iPhone 17 now, so let's talk specs:
I don't expect there to be dramatic changes for the iPhone 17 lineup as a whole, but the addition of new chips for both vanillar and Pro phones, should see more performance, more energy efficiency and snappier responses for AI workloads. The rumored 12GB for the Pro phones should also aid in getting quick results from Apple Intelligence.
Recent iPhones have never been slouches when it comes to performance, so I don't expect the iPhone 17 to be a vast upgrade in raw power over the iPhone 16, but there's potential for improved gaming performance.
Read more iPhone 17 specs here
iPhone 17 |
iPhone 17 Air |
iPhone 17 Pro |
iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Display: |
6.1-inch OLED |
6.7-inch OLED |
6.3-inch OLED |
6.9-inch OLED |
Resolution: |
1179 x 2556 |
1290 x 2796 |
1206 x 2622 |
1320 x 2868 |
Refresh rate: |
120Hz |
120Hz |
120Hz |
120Hz |
Chipset: |
A19 |
A19 Pro |
A19 Pro |
A19 Pro |
Rear cameras: |
48MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide |
48MP wide |
48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto (5x zoom) |
48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto (5x zoom) |
Front camera: |
24MP |
24MP |
24MP |
24MP |
RAM: |
8GB |
8GB |
12GB |
12GB |
Storage: |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
Battery: |
3,561mAh+ |
Under 3,000mAh |
3,582mAh+ |
~5,000mAh |
iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro specs
iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro pricing
The rumors on iPhone 17 prices have been a bit lopsided recently, with some expecting no change over the iPhone 16 prices, while a more recent iPhone 17 price tip has a hike in price on the cards.
I tend to think the former, with the prices will likely start at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 for the standard iPhones, and $999 / £999 / AU$1,849 for the Pro models.
But I do think there's scope for a price jump for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. I just hope that doesn't come to pass.
iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro release date
When might you be able to get your hands on the new iPhones?
Well James Rogerson predicts pre-orders will go live on September 12, with a full release happening a on September 19.
This is based on rumors and past form from Apple. And I tend to agree. Apple usually works on a two week cycle post its new phone announcements.
For more check out Rogerson's When can we expect the iPhone 17 to be released? Here are my expert predictions article.
iPhone 17 colors: big, bold pastels
Let me revisit the iPhone 17 colors. Or more specifically, freelancer and iPhone expert James Rogerson has a rundown on all the colors will the iPhone 17 series be available in from his predictions and rumors.
it looks like pastel greens, blues, and pink will make a splash for the standard iPhone 17; my eye is on the green one, if the image above is legit.
And the iPhone 17 Pro models look ot have a more muted selection of hues, in grey and blue variants. But there's a bright orange models to mix things up; not to my taste but pretty bold.
iPhone 17 Pro could be super-charged for gaming
I mentioned gaming earlier in this blog, but let me dig a bit deeper. A spec rumor that's stood out to me is how the iPhone 17 Pro could come with a vapor chamber.
Let me first note that vapor chamber cooling works by using a liquid-filled metal chamber, where in the coolant changes into a gas as it absorbs heat. This vapor then condenses on a cooler metal side, thereby dissipating heat away from sensitive components like the chipset. It’s a way to better cool CPU and GPU components without taking up much space; you’ll find vapor chamber cooling in the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
For the iPhone series this should mean improved cooling that enables the chipset to run art peak performance for longer, And that should be a boon for gaming, especially for some of the more demanding console-quality games you can now get on iOS.
iPhone 17 Pro telephoto camera upgrade
And now let me recap the rumors pointing towards a big telephoto camera upgrade for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The idea is that the telephoto camera will not only get a boost ot 48-megapixels, up from 12MP, but also have a system of moving components that could allow for continuous optical zoom between an as-yet unknown range of focal lengths. Mixed reports have the camera system able to move between 5x and 8x optical zoom without sensor cropping.
I don't know if I fully buy into that, as I can still see Apple opt for advanced sensors cropping techniques and camera fusion to bring in high-quality zoomed photos even when using a digital zoom.
Check out Jame Richards' thoughts on the iPhone 17 Pro telephoto camera upgrades.
Of course, that 48MP telephoto upgrade will be totally meaningless if there isn't a bigger sensor to back it up. That's because megapixels don't really tell us anything about a camera's quality. You can cut any sensor into 12 million, 48 million, or even 200 million pixels, but what makes the most difference is the size of the sensor itself, not the number of pixels.
Presumably Apple will use a bigger sensor for its 48MP zoom lens, and then it would be a huge improvement! The main iPhone sensor is 0.76-inches on the iPhone 16 Pro, but it would be nearly impossible for Apple to use a sensor that large on a second lens. There isn't enough room on the phone. However, even a modest improvement - plus a boost from AI - could equal a big telephoto boost.
We're only a few hours away from Apple's big event, and our journalists are already live on the scene ready to capture the vibe and ask the question you want answered. Above we have our Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff with non other than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak! I'm sure Woz has all the secrets of today's big news, and Lance will try to get all the dirt he can in advance.
Personally, I'm just as interested in Apple's catering. Sure, the company makes nice phones, but it also offers media and influencers the fanciest catering in the business before events. Will there be colorful yogurt parfaits? Vegan crostini? Gluten-free viennoiserie?! Hopefully our Editors will grab some photos while they're filling up before the livestream begins.
Less than an hour from the Apple Event that will launch the 2025-2026 iPhone 17 product lineup. We're frantically checking Apple's newsroom for an early drop of product news (it happens, but not often). We've got editors on site rested and ready to get hands-on with everything new and talk to Apple executives about what comes next.
Will Apple be more excited about AI and software than its new hardware? Will the iPhone 17 Air be an also-ran category, or a big One More Thing moment? Will the AirPods Pro 3 really get camera-type sensors, or will they just be Siri for your eardrums? We're about to find out everything.
Even if you're not buying a new iPhone soon, today will be a big day for all iPhone owners with a recent device. Apple usually announces the final version of its latest operating systems for mobile devices, including iOS 26, watchOS 26, and iPadOS 26, along with the next slate of new devices. And if history is our guide, you won't need to wait for the new model to check out the latest software. It should be available for a final download in the week ahead.
Will there be new features coming to iOS 26 that we haven't seen? It's not very likely since Apple offers a Public Beta, but it's possible that the next iPhone 17 could enable features that older iPhones won't have. We'll have to see today... software is usually the final piece of the phone announcement puzzle.
