iPhone 17 and iPhone Air Hands-On: Unbelievably Thin Design & New Features

iPhone Air: A New Era of Thinness

• 📱 The iPhone Air is highlighted as the showstopper, boasting an incredibly thin design at just 5.6 mm and weighing only 165 grams, aided by its titanium frame.
• 📸 It features a 48-megapixel fusion camera capable of 2x telephoto images, though compromises may exist due to its slim build.
• 🔋 Battery life is a key consideration, with Apple claiming it lasts all day, supported by an iOS 26 feature called Adaptive Power Mode that uses AI to extend battery life.
• ✨ The 6.5-inch display offers an anti-reflective coating and 3000 nits peak brightness, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight.
• 🎛️ Both the iPhone Air and baseline iPhone 17 feature a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, enabling an always-on display for notifications and live activities.
• 🤳 A 18-megapixel Center Stage selfie camera automatically adjusts for landscape or portrait orientation to keep everyone in frame.
• 🚀 Powered by the A19 Pro chip, the iPhone Air starts at $999, with pre-orders beginning Friday and availability on September 19th.

iPhone 17: Notable Upgrades

• 🌟 The baseline iPhone 17 also receives significant upgrades, including the 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate for an always-on display, 3000 nits peak brightness, and an anti-reflective coating.
• 📏 It sports a 6.3-inch display with slimmer borders for more screen real estate.
• 📸 Camera capabilities include a 48-megapixel wide-angle fusion camera with 2x telephoto and a 48-megapixel ultrawide fusion camera, plus the 18-megapixel Center Stage selfie camera.
• ⚡ Apple claims all-day battery life, with 8 hours more video playback than the iPhone 16, and supports 50% charge in 20 minutes.
• ⚙️ It is powered by the A19 chip (instead of the A19 Pro), starts at $799, and shares the same pre-order and availability dates as the iPhone Air.

Shared Features and Availability

• 🧠 Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air will include Apple Intelligence features and run iOS 26.
• 🗓️ Pre-orders for both models start on Friday, with general availability commencing on September 19th.