Apple unveils iPhone 17 Air, upgraded AirPods and smartwatches
The device supports only eSIM and comes in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue. Apple executives described it as providing "MacBook Pro levels of compute in an iPhone."
Apple has launched its latest range of devices, including the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, upgraded iPhone 17 models, new AirPods, and a fresh lineup of smartwatches, as the company seeks to boost sales ahead of the holiday season.
The Cupertino-based tech giant largely maintained last year’s pricing while discontinuing the 128 GB storage option across its iPhone lineup.
The iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s thinnest iPhone at 5.6 millimeters, starts at $999 and will be available from September 19. Positioned between the standard iPhone 17 and Pro models, the Air offers a premium option powered by the A19 Pro processor, along with Apple’s N1 networking chip and C1X modem.
The device supports only eSIM and comes in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue. Apple executives described it as providing "MacBook Pro levels of compute in an iPhone."
The standard iPhone 17 now features a larger 6.3-inch screen and brings the ProMotion 120-hertz refresh rate display to a non-Pro iPhone for the first time. Equipped with the A19 processor on 3-nanometer technology, the device can handle more on-device AI tasks.
Storage begins at 256 GB, and it includes a 48-megapixel rear camera and an upgraded front camera with a wider field of view. Its AI-powered “Center Stage” feature adjusts photo orientation automatically.
Apple also unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro, starting at $1,099, with the Pro Max version offering up to 2 terabytes of storage for the first time. It introduces an aluminum unibody with a plateau design for the camera system and is powered by the A19 Pro chip.
The device features liquid cooling through a vapor chamber with de-ionized water, the first for an iPhone, enhancing performance under heavy workloads. The Pro also offers longer battery life, a ceramic shield back, and a triple 48-megapixel rear camera system with AI-powered “Center Stage” on the front.
The AirPods Pro 3 come with stronger active noise cancellation, gesture-triggered live translation powered by Apple Intelligence, and a smaller design with new foam eartips for better fit and sound isolation.
They also include heart-rate sensing during workouts via Apple’s smallest heart-rate sensor, tracking fitness data without extra devices. Battery life reaches up to eight hours with noise cancellation on, and the earbuds are priced at $249, also available from September 19.
Apple’s new smartwatch range includes the Series 11 at $399, the SE 3 at $249, and the high-end Ultra 3 at $799. The devices introduce health and safety features such as hypertension alerts on the Series 11 and satellite connectivity on the Ultra 3. Apple noted that the hypertension detection feature has not yet been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
