Apple to unveil iPhone 17 series on September 9 with new air model
The launch, themed “Awe Dropping,” will begin at 8 pm Kenyan time and will be available on Apple’s website and YouTube channel, with local fans expected to follow closely.
Apple has confirmed that its much-awaited iPhone 17 lineup will be unveiled on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during a global event that will be streamed live from the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.
The launch, themed “Awe Dropping,” will begin at 8 pm Kenyan time and will be available on Apple’s website and YouTube channel, with local fans expected to follow closely.
The company is set to introduce four models: the standard iPhone 17, the all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Air variant, which replaces the Plus model, is the thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.5 mm, offering a 6.6-inch OLED ProMotion display and a lightweight design for users who prefer slimmer devices with wide screens.
Color choices have also been expanded across the lineup. The standard iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel grey, green, purple, and light blue.
The new Air variant will come in black, white, light blue, and light gold. The Pro and Pro Max versions will have options including dark blue and fluorescent orange in addition to black, white, and grey.
On performance, the standard iPhone 17 will feature the A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models will carry the A19 Pro processor, promising faster multitasking and smoother performance.
All devices will ship with iOS 26, introducing AI-powered functions and an upgraded Siri with improved voice abilities, which could support local services such as mobile banking through M-Pesa and agriculture-based applications.
For content creators, the iPhone 17 series comes with major camera improvements. Every model will include a 24MP front camera, while the Pro versions will feature a 48MP triple-lens system with periscope zoom and 8K video recording.
These upgrades are expected to benefit Kenyan influencers, photographers, and video creators active on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Kenyan buyers should expect prices influenced by global rates and local duties. Current estimates suggest the standard iPhone 17 will cost between Sh145,000 and Sh165,000, while the iPhone 17 Air could range from Sh160,000 to Sh185,000.
The iPhone 17 Pro may retail at between Sh185,000 and Sh220,000, while the Pro Max could cost Sh215,000 to Sh250,000.
The phones are expected to be available in Kenya shortly after the global rollout begins on September 19, with pre-orders set to open through authorised resellers such as iStore Kenya, Elite Digital, and Avechi.
While Apple has not yet confirmed setting up direct retail outlets in the country, the growing number of official resellers and service providers signals strong demand in the Kenyan market.
