Apple iPhone 17 Launch Event: The “Awe-Dropping” Highlights You Need to Know

Apple just held its much-hyped “Awe-Dropping” event, introducing the brand-new iPhone 17 lineup alongside AirPods Pro 3, the Apple Watch Series 11, and software upgrades like iOS 26. This year’s launch focuses on thinner designs, smarter AI features, and camera innovations that push iPhone performance further than ever.

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The iPhone 17 Lineup

Apple unveiled four models for 2025:

• iPhone 17 – starting at $799

• iPhone 17 Air – Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, starting at $999

• iPhone 17 Pro – premium performance at $1,099

• iPhone 17 Pro Max – the ultimate flagship at $1,199

Pre-orders open Friday, with deliveries beginning mid-September.

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Design & Performance

• iPhone 17 Air replaces the Plus model, measuring just 5.5 mm thin and using aerospace-grade materials.

• Powered by the A19 and A19 Pro chips, the lineup delivers lightning-fast speed, extended battery life, and next-gen AI performance.

• All models support 120 Hz ProMotion displays; the base iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch OLED screen reaching up to 3,000 nits brightness.

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Camera Innovations

• 48 MP Dual Fusion rear camera system paired with a 48 MP ultrawide lens for sharper images and improved low-light performance.

• 12 MP Center Stage selfie camera automatically adjusts during video calls and allows landscape selfies without rotating the phone.

• Dual-record mode lets creators shoot with both the front and back cameras at once.

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Cooling & Battery

• Pro models use vapor chamber cooling with deionized water for improved thermal regulation.

• Battery life upgrade: iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts up to 39 hours of video playback on a single charge.

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Other Apple Announcements

• AirPods Pro 3 ($249): New heart-rate sensor, live translation, and upgraded noise cancellation.

• Apple Watch Series 11: Adds hypertension monitoring for advanced health tracking.

• Apple Watch Ultra 3: Bigger display, stronger battery, and satellite connectivity for outdoor use.

• iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe: Rolling out soon with refreshed designs and more AI-driven features.

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iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: What’s Changed?

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup versus the iPhone 16:

Feature	iPhone 16 (2024)	iPhone 17 (2025)
Chipset	A18 / A18 Pro	A19 / A19 Pro (faster, more AI power)
Display	Up to 2,000 nits brightness	Up to 3,000 nits brightness, 120 Hz ProMotion on all models
Camera (rear)	48 MP wide + ultrawide	48 MP Dual Fusion + 48 MP ultrawide (sharper & better low-light)
Selfie Camera	12 MP standard	12 MP Center Stage with landscape mode
Cooling	Standard graphite cooling	Vapor chamber cooling (Pro models)
Design	Standard thinness	iPhone 17 Air at just 5.5 mm – thinnest iPhone ever
Battery Life	Up to 29 hours video playback	Up to 39 hours (Pro Max)
Connectivity	5G + Wi-Fi 6E	5G + Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6
Starting Price	$799	$799 (base), Air starts at $999