Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Lineup with Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Upgraded Watch Series, and More Hardware Announcements

Apple unveiled its latest hardware lineup during a major event today, introducing the iPhone 17 series, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods. The flagship smartphones boast larger screens and an upgraded camera system, as well as the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone Air – a replacement for the Plus model.

The tech giant may also be gearing up to release additional hardware, with reports suggesting that a new iPad Pro, updated Vision Pro, revamped AirTags, a refreshed Apple TV, a new HomePod mini, and updated MacBooks are on the horizon, potentially arriving in 2025 or early 2026.

The iPhone 17 models have received a design overhaul, with the Pro versions adopting a 6.3-inch screen – an increase of 0.2 inches compared to their predecessors. The devices also feature a high-speed 120 Hz display, marking a significant upgrade from the current 60 Hz. Additionally, the ultrawide camera boasts 48 megapixels.

The new models come in a variety of colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage. The Pro variants have undergone notable changes on the rear side. The three cameras are now aligned in a rectangular bar that spans the width of the device, with the flash, light sensor, and microphone situated to the right. The MagSafe charger’s location has been replaced by the centered Apple logo for aesthetic purposes.

Notably, the titanium band encircling the screen on the Pro models has been swapped out for aluminum. The iPhone 17 series starts at $799, offering a base storage of 256GB – an increase from the iPhone 16’s starting storage of 128GB. The Pro model retails for $1,099, and the Pro Max commands $1,199.

In addition to the new iPhones, Apple announced a line of premium phone cases called “TechWoven”, which feature higher quality woven materials compared to the discontinued “FineWoven” line.

However, there was no mention during the keynote of an AI-enhanced Siri, leaving Apple behind its competitors in this area.

The star of the show was the iPhone Air – Apple’s slimmest phone ever, replacing the iPhone Plus. This sleek device boasts a thickness of 5.6 mm, making it approximately 0.08 inches thinner than current iPhones. It also offers a 6.6-inch screen and a 120 Hz ProMotion display. The iPhone Air is eSIM only, maintaining its svelte design.

This move aligns with the growing trend towards slimmer smartphones, as seen in offerings from companies such as Samsung and Huawei. The iPhone Air has the potential to outshine the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which measures 5.8 mm thick. It could also pave the way for Apple’s long-anticipated foldable phone, expected to launch in September 2026.

The iPhone Air will be available in black, white, sky blue, and light gold, priced at $999.

Apple also announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, featuring faster charging speeds, 5G support, satellite connectivity, and a larger display. The watches also incorporate blood pressure-monitoring capabilities, alerting users when their levels are outside of normal ranges.

The third-generation Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, saw only minor updates, such as an always-on display, thanks to a faster S10 chip. Pricing for the watches is $249 for the Apple Watch SE 3, $399 for the Series 11, and $799 for the Ultra 3.

The AirPods Pro 3 are due for release after the AirPods Pro 2, priced at $249. The new earbuds feature smaller designs, improved audio quality, a heart-rate sensor, and live translation technology powered by Apple Intelligence to help users understand foreign languages in real time.