Apple's "Awe Dropping" event, slated for Tuesday, September 9th, at Apple Park in Cupertino, is generating significant buzz. The tech giant's annual fall event, commencing at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, is expected to unveil a range of new products, with the iPhone 17 lineup taking center stage. The event will be livestreamed on Apple's website and YouTube channel.

iPhone 17 Lineup: A New Era of Design and Features

The iPhone 17 series is anticipated to bring a host of new features and enhancements. The big news appears to be the introduction of a super-thin "Air" variant, potentially replacing the Plus model.

• iPhone 17 Air: This model is rumored to be incredibly thin, around 5.5mm, making it the thinnest iPhone to date. To achieve this slim profile, compromises might include a single-lens camera and potentially shorter battery life. It is rumored to have a 6.6-inch OLED display with ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and Face ID. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 48MP rear camera. It will also reportedly include Apple's own C1 modem. The iPhone 17 Air will come in a light blue color.
• iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: These models are expected to feature a redesigned horizontal camera bump and a more durable build utilizing primarily aluminum instead of glass. The Pro models could come in a shade of orange. The Pro lineup could offer some design tweaks and performance improvements and are rumored to switch from titanium to aluminum. The rear camera array might expand to an entire "island" that extends across most of the phone's backside. The little antenna lines could wrap around the rear camera bump, improving 5G connectivity. These models might be a little thicker than the current models, coming in at 8.725mm thick instead of 8.25mm.

Expected iPhone 17 Features:

• Display: The standard iPhone 17 could see some welcome display upgrades. At least one supply chain source claimed it will add a 120Hz variable refresh rate (ProMotion) display. All four iPhone 17 models are expected to get ProMotion display technology with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video playback. The standard iPhone 17 could grow to 6.3 inches, matching the Pro model.
• Camera: The Pro models will have an updated 48-megapixel Telephoto lens, which means all three lenses will be 48 megapixels for the first time. Some rumors have suggested the new Telephoto lens will support up to 8x optical zoom. The Main camera could possibly have an adjustable aperture. A dual video recording feature that uses the front and rear camera simultaneously is expected, and there will be an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera across the lineup.
• Performance: The iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a new A19 Pro chip, built using TSMC's latest 3-nanometer process. The iPhone 17 models are expected to include 12GB RAM.
• Other features: Wi-Fi 7 support will be included in all models. Battery updates supporting up to 35W wired and Qi2 25W wireless charging support are expected. The Pro models will have a thermal system upgrade for more sustained performance.

Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3: Enhancements in Health and Connectivity

The event is also likely to introduce the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

• Apple Watch Series 11: It is expected to keep the slim, flat-edged design introduced on the Series 10. All of the glass protecting the display will be made in the US. The Apple Watch Series 11 will feature an updated S11 chip. It is expected to run watchOS 26, which includes an all-new Workout Buddy.
• Apple Watch Ultra 3: The Ultra 3 will also have a similar design and slightly larger screen with a 422x514-pixel resolution. The Ultra 3 is also rumored to get satellite connectivity and 5G support.

Rumored features for the new Apple Watch models include blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection. The Apple Watch Series 11 could get a more energy-efficient screen, possibly an improved LTPO display with higher resolution and better brightness.

AirPods Pro 3: A Focus on Health and Audio

The long-awaited AirPods Pro 3 could debut with heart-rate monitoring capabilities and an interactive touchscreen display in the charging case. The new model could also bring some biometric sensors to the earphones: an in-ear heart-rate monitor and potentially temperature sensing. Improved Active Noise Cancellation, better sound, and a refined design are also expected.

Other Potential Announcements

While the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 are the most anticipated products, Apple might also unveil other devices. These could include:

• M5 iPad Pro
• Next-Gen Apple TV 4K
• HomePod mini 2

What Not to Expect

It's unlikely that new Macs powered by M5 chips will be announced at the September event. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026.

With the "Awe Dropping" event just around the corner, anticipation is building to see what innovations Apple has in store. The event promises to be a significant showcase, potentially setting the stage for the company's future direction in mobile technology and beyond.