We’re doubtless solely round a month away (give or take) from Apple’s subsequent iPhone launch occasion. This yr’s shindig might see the thinnest iPhone to this point becoming a member of the iPhone 17 lineup. Additionally on faucet might be new Apple Watch fashions — together with the primary Extremely mannequin in two years — and (possibly) the long-awaited AirPods Professional 3.
Apple’s iPhone household will doubtless welcome a brand new member this yr. The iPhone Air is anticipated to be roughly 5.55 mm thick. The thinnest mannequin thus far 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 will 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 digicam and a smaller battery. So, anticipate a classy telephone 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 provide some design tweaks and efficiency enhancements. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max are rumored to change from titanium to aluminum. They might additionally see the rear digicam array develop to a whole “island” that extends throughout a lot of the telephone’s bottom. It is anticipated to accommodate three cameras (as earlier than), however a number of rumors have recommended it’ll have an improved telephoto one. The zoom lens might soar to 48MP, which might strengthen its digital zooming / cropping chops. The telephones may additionally add an anti-glare coating, much 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’ll 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, displaying Apple Music’s new translucent controls.
(Apple)
One factor we all know unquestionably is that the brand new iPhones will launch with iOS 26, which brings Apple’s greatest design refresh in years. It is simple 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 the same {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 be anticipated to roll out new Apple Watch fashions. 5G and a processor improve are anticipated for the Apple Watch Extremely 3. It might additionally allow you to ship texts by way of 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 (other than a brand new colour), so it is due for an improve.
The Sequence 11 mannequin is unlikely to depart dramatically from the Sequence 10. In any case, that mannequin launched a brand new design, with a thinner physique and bigger display. (And Apple has traditionally stored these round in three-year cycles.). However a quicker chip additionally appears logical. Maybe we’ll see 5G arrive on the usual wearable, too.
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 carry some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and (possibly) temperature sensing. Dwell translation can be rumored, though that is probably not unique to the third-gen mannequin.