Apple’s “Awe Dropping” iPhone Event: What to Expect From iPhone 17 (and That Ultra-Thin “Air”)

Apple’s biggest show of the year lands Monday, September 9, 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) at Apple Park. The invite reads “Awe Dropping,” and, yes, the iPhone 17 family is the headliner. Here’s the clean, hype-free preview in Dinmag style: what’s likely, what’s rumored, and what would actually move the needle.

The lineup: four iPhones, with a new face in the crowd

• iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max — the usual cadence.

• Wild card: iPhone 17 Air. Multiple analysts and outlets say Apple may retire the Plus and slot in a thinner, lighter “Air” model—think iPad/MacBook Air playbook but for phones. If true, this is the year’s design story.

Our take: If “Air” is real, it’s Apple acknowledging a premium-but-not-Pro niche: lighter, stylish, and priced to tempt upgraders who hate bulky phones.

Hardware headlines to watch

• Vapor-chamber cooling on Pro models. Leaked parts and repeated rumors point to a new thermal system to keep the A-series chips roaring without throttling. Expect more sustained performance for gaming and video capture.

• New colors, new finish. Even the event art has fans reading tea leaves about fresh Pro colors; consider this a likely—but cosmetic—win.

iOS 18.7: the “keep you safe” update

Apple is preparing iOS 18.7 alongside the event. Don’t expect flashy features; do expect security fixes and support for older devices that won’t make the leap to iOS 26. If you’re on an XS/XS Max/XR, this could be one of your final major updates.

AirPods Pro 3: small case, smarter buds

Strong chatter says AirPods Pro 3 arrive with a tweaked design (shorter stems, slimmer case, capacitive pairing button) and under-the-hood improvements to ANC and sensors. Think refinement, not reinvention. 

Apple Watch? Probably—just not the star

Side dishes usually include Series 11 and Ultra 3—solid annual bumps that won’t steal iPhone thunder. If Apple Intelligence/AI gets stage time, expect it framed as everyday help, not sci-fi. 

How to watch (and when to refresh your browser)

• Live stream: Apple.com, YouTube, and the Apple TV app.

• When: Sept 9, 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET from the Steve Jobs Theater, Cupertino. 

The bet sheet (confidence levels)

• Sure thing: iPhone 17 family + 10 a.m. PT keynote.

• Very likely: Vapor-chamber cooling on Pro; new colorways. 

• Likely: AirPods Pro 3 hardware refresh. 

• Speculative but spicy: iPhone 17 Air replaces the Plus. 

Bottom line

If Apple ships a genuinely ultra-thin “Air,” that’s the design pivot of the cycle. Pair it with cooler, faster Pro models and a steady AirPods Pro 3 refresh, and this keynote looks less like maintenance—and more like momentum. The only thing “awe dropping” should be your jaw… and maybe the device temperature.

Quick FAQ

Will my older iPhone get iOS 26? Probably not if you’re on XS/XS Max/XR—watch for iOS 18.7 instead. Is “Air” confirmed? No. It’s an analyst-driven rumor we’ll verify on stage. Do the Pros really run cooler? That’s the rumor—and it matters for gaming and 4K video.