Apple’s fall event is in the books, and the iPhone lineup now has four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an all-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air that replaces the Plus. The headliner is the Air: Apple’s slimmest phone yet at ~5.6mm, with an emphasis on lightness and portability.
Key phones & features (official highlights)
- iPhone Air: ultra-thin (~5.6mm), 6.5-inch display, Pro-level performance in a lighter package; sits between the base iPhone and Pros. Starts at $999.
- iPhone 17: base model finally gets a 120Hz/ProMotion screen and camera upgrades. Starts at $799.
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max: new horizontal “camera plateau” design with triple 48MP system and larger batteries; the Pro starts at $1,099, Pro Max at $1,199 (up to 2TB configs).
Preorders and release dates (now official)
All four phones open for preorder on Friday, Sept 12, with deliveries/retail availability on Friday, Sept 19. These dates are reflected across major outlets and regional retailers.
What about software?
The new phones ship with iOS 26, which Apple previewed at WWDC in June. Expect UI refinements and deeper “Apple Intelligence” integration across the system.
Watches and AirPods
Apple also announced Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and Watch SE (3rd-gen). All three are available for preorder now and are slated to ship Sept 19, alongside the phones. Apple’s wearables focus this year centers on health features and refinements in watchOS 26’s redesigned interface.
On audio, AirPods Pro 3 arrived with headline upgrades: better ANC, on-ear heart-rate tracking, and Live Translation support in Apple’s ecosystem. (Translation is enabled via Apple’s software stack on supported devices.)
Pricing snapshot (US)
- iPhone 17: $799
- iPhone Air: $999
- iPhone 17 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199 (up to 2TB)
Preorders Sept 12; release Sept 19.
Notable design and tech shifts
- The Air introduces Apple’s thinnest chassis yet, signaling a design pivot toward ultra-portability.
- The base iPhone finally gets ProMotion (120Hz)—a change long requested by users.
- The Pros adopt a wide camera bar (“plateau”) with a 48MP telephoto option and bigger batteries for longer life.
Bottom line
For buyers who want the lightest, thinnest iPhone, the iPhone Air is the story. Power users should look at the Pro models for the new camera array and endurance gains. If you’ve been holding out for 120Hz on the standard iPhone, iPhone 17 finally delivers. Preorders go live Friday, Sept 12; phones and wearables land Friday, Sept 19.
