Thinner, Smarter, Louder: Apple Drops iPhone 17 and More
Apple’s annual September showcase never fails to get people talking, and this year’s “Awe Dropping” event on September 9th delivered a mix of bold design moves, smart updates, and a few surprises. While some of the wildest rumors didn’t pan out, Apple still managed to push its lineup forward in some striking ways. Let’s break it down.
COMPUTERSSOFTWARE
Bernie Samuels
9/22/20252 min read
The iPhone 17 Family
The spotlight, as always, was on the iPhone. This year’s lineup includes the iPhone 17, the 17 Pro and Pro Max, and a brand-new entry: the iPhone Air.
iPhone Air – Ultra-thin at just 5.6 mm, crafted from “spacecraft titanium,” and weighing next to nothing, this is Apple’s sleekest iPhone ever. It features a 6.5-inch display and sets a new bar for design minimalism.
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max – Apple doubled down on pro-level features with a triple 48MP “Fusion” camera system, improved thermal management (hello, vapor chamber cooling), and a bold “camera plateau” design stretching across the back.
iPhone 17 – The standard model gets incremental improvements, keeping Apple’s ecosystem tight and consistent.
Software & Ecosystem
Apple confirmed iOS 26 is on its way, bringing a fresh “Liquid Glass” look, smoother animations, and some under-the-hood performance upgrades. It’s a free update, and one to watch for design lovers.
The Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and a refreshed Watch SE were also announced, continuing Apple’s focus on health and fitness with more refined hardware and features.
AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s earbuds got one of the most exciting upgrades of the day:
Live translation right in your ear
Heart-rate sensing for fitness tracking
Enhanced noise cancellation and new ear tip sizes
No price increase — always welcome news.
What’s Leaving the Store
Apple quietly pulled the plug on some older iPhone models, discontinuing the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, along with certain iPhone 16 Pro variants. If you’ve been eyeing one, you’ll need to look outside Apple’s official store.
Takeaways
This year’s event was more about refinement and design than wild innovation. The iPhone Air stole the show with its impossibly thin profile, while the Pro models kept the focus on performance and cameras. iOS 26 and AirPods Pro 3 rounded out the updates, giving Apple fans plenty to chew on. What was missing? The heavily rumored foldable iPhone and deeper AI integrations didn’t show up — suggesting Apple is saving its bigger leaps for a future stage.
Bottom line
Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event lived up to its name in style, if not in shock factor. The iPhone Air is a head-turner, the Pro models are stronger than ever, and the ecosystem keeps marching forward.
