Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, September 9, according to leaked internal carrier documents cited by German publication iPhone-Ticker. The event date aligns with the company's historical launch schedule and precedes a Friday, September 12 start for pre-orders, followed by first shipments and retail availability on September 19.
Carrier partners reportedly received internal planning guidance reflecting the September 9 announcement, corroborating speculation based on Apple's consistent release patterns. The iPhone 17 keynote is anticipated to showcase multiple models, including the new iPhone 17 Air, which introduces a thinner design and new hardware approach.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a basic A19 chip, a single rear camera, and a 6.6-inch screen. The model is also expected to include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Despite earlier internal debates about removing all ports, Apple is said to have retained the standard charging port on the Air model.
Battery leaks shared via the Korean Naver blog and cited by MacRumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air uses a 2.49mm thick battery-half the thickness of the Pro version-and a capacity of just 2,800 mAh. Pricing is rumored to start around $900.
Color options also leaked. According to Macworld and leaker Sonny Dickson, the iPhone 17 will come in black, white, steel gray, green, purple, and light blue. The Air model will be available in black, white, light blue, and light gold, while the Pro and Pro Max are expected in bolder tones: black, white, gray, dark blue, and orange.
The new lineup will run on iOS 26, which Apple first introduced at WWDC 2025. The software includes AI-driven features such as Visual Intelligence for image search and live translation in Messages and FaceTime. It also brings design changes under a style called "Liquid Glass," with Apple gradually reducing transparency effects during the beta period.
Other iOS 26 updates include redesigned Phone and Photos apps, support for polls in group texts, and a sensitive content warning system that freezes FaceTime video if nudity is detected in child accounts.
