It’s early September, which means it’s time for Apple to unveil its latest gadgets, including the new lineup of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
On Tuesday, alongside the iPhone 17, Apple introduced the iPhone Air, branding it as “the thinnest iPhone ever created.” At just 5.6 mm thick, it surpasses both the iPhone 16 and 17 by a noticeable margin. To give you a clearer picture, think of it this way: the thickness is similar to that of a couple of stacked quarters—while the previous models are roughly equivalent to about five quarters in thickness.
Weighing in at 5.82 ounces, the iPhone Air is actually lighter than both the iPhone 16 and 17, by about 0.2 and 0.4 ounces respectively. Plus, the new phone features a 6.5-inch screen, slightly larger than the 6.1-inch and 6.3-inch displays of the other two models.
Apple also highlighted its innovative titanium design, which offers better scratch resistance and extended battery life. However, the standout feature seems to be the revamped camera system.
The Air comes with a center stage camera that boasts a square sensor, utilizing Apple’s latest tech to provide a wider field of view. This is convenient—it means you can snap selfies or group pictures without having to adjust the angle of your phone; the AI automatically ensures everyone is included.
And there are some noticeable design changes as well.
Traditionally, Apple’s cameras have been positioned in the upper left corner of the phone. In the case of the Air, though, the camera is cleverly integrated into a plateau that runs across the top, deviating from the standard corner placement.
Speaking of which, if you’ve checked out recent smartphones, especially Google’s devices, you may find some design similarities with the new iPhone Air.
Comparatively, the Apple Air, which launched last month, is thinner by about 1.38 ounces, while having a significantly larger display of 0.2 inches compared to the Google Pixel 10.
However, Apple has kept its prices stable, with the iPhone 17 at $799, the iPhone 17 Pro at $1,099, and the Pro Max version at $1,199. The iPhone Air starts at $999. Pre-orders are set to begin on September 12.
Most new features rolled out in recent iPhones are consistent with Apple’s offerings over the last few years, except for a slight increase of $100 for the Pro model this year. Still, the pricing remains within the expected $800 to $1,200 range, which they’ve maintained since 2020.
Interestingly, this is the first phone Apple launched amid President Trump’s return to the White House, as tariffs affecting numerous consumer products are being adjusted.
Additionally, Apple revealed updates for other devices on Tuesday, which include the AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3.
The new AirPods will feature live translation capabilities using AI when conversing with speakers of different languages. They’re priced at $249. Meanwhile, the Series 11 Smart Watch will provide new “sleep score” tracking abilities and hypertension alerts, although the latter feature is still awaiting FDA approval.
The Ultra 3 Smart Watch, touted for having the largest display and longest battery life of any Apple watch, will be available starting September 19 for $799, while the Series 11 will retail at $399, and the Apple Watch SE at $249.
While Apple has done well to keep pace with competitors, one notable absence remains: a foldable phone, which is an offering that brands like Google have embraced.
Bob O’Donnell, president of Technalysis Research, noted, “I think some people are concerned about that.”
