Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on September 9, and forecasts suggest that the iPhone design will undergo major changes over the next three years.
On the 24th (local time), U.S. Bloomberg News reported that Apple will hold a new product launch event on September 9 to unveil the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3rd generation.
Apple will introduce the ultra-slim phone 'iPhone 17 Air' instead of the Plus (+) model in this iPhone 17 series lineup. The iPhone 17 lineup includes ▲ iPhone 17 ▲ iPhone 17 Air ▲ iPhone 17 Pro ▲ iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The newly released iPhone 17 Air is Apple's first ultra-thin phone, like the Samsung Electronics 'Galaxy S25 Edge.' The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be 5.5 mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever. Apple is said to have reduced the battery thickness. However, it will come equipped with only one rear camera, and the speaker will be positioned only at the top, sacrificing some features for the thickness.
The base model of the iPhone 17 is also expected to undergo changes from its predecessor. The display size is projected to increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, and the refresh rate is expected to support 120 Hz. This will be the first time the base model of the iPhone supports 120 Hz.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the thickness is expected to be 8.725 mm, making it the thickest iPhone among regular models ever. The increase in thickness for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is said to accommodate a larger battery.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to be equipped with an upgraded mobile processor (AP) 'A19 Pro' chip.
Apple's AI feature, Apple Intelligence, is expected to see an upgrade with 12 GB of RAM in the Air, Pro, and Pro Max models. The front camera will be upgraded from 12 million pixels to 24 million pixels.
The most significant design change in this iPhone 17 series is the rear camera island (bump). The 'square' camera bump first introduced with the iPhone 11 series will be enlarged to a rectangle that occupies the entire back.
The price for the base model is expected to remain at $800, but the Air will be priced at $950, the Pro at $1,050, and the Pro Max at $1,250, reflecting a price increase of about $50 (approximately 70,000 won) compared to the previous model.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg's Apple specialist reporter Mark Gurman noted that 'Apple is pushing for the first significant design overhaul of the iPhone for three consecutive years in history.'
Gurman said that Apple is planning design changes to expand its iPhone market share, with the iPhone Air set to launch in September this year, followed by the first foldable iPhone in 2026 and a 20th-anniversary model featuring a curved glass design in 2027, promising a new design for the iPhones.
Gurman explained that 'Apple suppliers have already begun work on the new models, and they are ramping up production in early next year to prepare for a fall launch,' adding, 'This is likely to be popular among Apple fans who are willing to open their wallets for the latest products. Also, as Samsung Electronics has already proven, once consumers experience a foldable, they will not transfer back.'