iPhone 17 & iOS 26: Release Date, Price, New Air Model, and All Rumors Ahead of Apple’s September Event

The excitement is building! With the significant internal changes coming to our iPhones via iOS 26, we’re eagerly anticipating how Apple will evolve its latest smartphones: the iPhone 17 lineup. While we’re likely still over a month away from the official reveal – assuming Apple sticks to its typical September launch schedule – the rumor mill is already buzzing. Leaks about the iPhone 17’s hardware and features are trickling in. Here’s what we’re hearing and what we can reasonably expect from Cupertino this September.

What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors and reports?

One of the most talked-about rumors isn’t about a specific feature, but rather the highly anticipated launch event itself. Reports from sources like *MacRumors*, citing information from German mobile phone providers, suggest that the Apple iPhone 17 event could take place on Tuesday, September 9. While Apple events typically land around the second week of September, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Apple to confirm the exact date.

How much will the iPhone 17 cost?

The potential pricing of the iPhone 17 series is a hot topic. Apple’s increased focus on US-based manufacturing might offer some protection from certain tariff-related price hikes that have impacted other electronics. However, ongoing reliance on global supply chains means price adjustments are always possible. The big question is whether Apple will absorb any higher costs or pass them on to consumers.

Interestingly, there’s a rumor from leaker “Instant Digital,” highlighted by *MacRumors*, suggesting that the base storage for the iPhone 17 line might double to 256GB, up from the current 128GB. This could be accompanied by a modest $50 price increase, allowing Apple to position it as a “better value” due to the increased storage. It’s worth remembering that in 2024, Apple doubled the default RAM on its Mac computers to 16GB without a price hike, but that was before the current trade policy environment.

What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?

The iPhone 17 series is expected to introduce an exciting new model: the iPhone 17 Air. Design leaks suggest this will be an ultra-thin smartphone, aligning with Apple’s “Air” designation for its lightweight laptops. *Bloomberg*’s Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a basic A19 chip, a single camera lens, and potentially Apple’s new in-house modem, first seen in the iPhone 16e.

Analyst Jeff Pu indicated the Air might have a titanium frame. Curiously, this would make it the only iPhone 17 model to use titanium, as the standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max are expected to stick with aluminum, which is actually a lighter material. Recent leaks also point to an incredibly thin battery in the iPhone 17 Air – reportedly just 2.49mm thick, half that of the iPhone 17 Pro’s battery, and with a capacity of only 2,800 mAh (lower than current iPhone 16 models). Fortunately, despite early investigations, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to retain its charging port and not rely solely on wireless connectivity. It’s also rumored to feature a 6.6-inch screen, Dynamic Island, and a Camera Control button, with a price tag around $900.

Beyond the Air, we expect the familiar lineup: a base iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, continuing Apple’s trend of offering larger screens and better battery life with the Pro Max.

For the Pro models, a significant design change rumored is a full-width “camera island” on the rear. Images purportedly showing an iPhone 17 Pro “in the wild” with this distinct back panel have circulated, though, as always with early leaks, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt.

The iPhone 17 Air seems set to replace the iPhone 17 Plus. With the iPhone 16e having been recently introduced at a relatively high price, it’s unlikely we’ll see new additions to the lower-end (formerly SE) spectrum this time around.

Color options are always a fun speculation point, and leaks seem to offer a reliable preview. *Macworld* reported that the iPhone 17 will come in black, white, steel gray, green, purple, and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have four less saturated options: black, white, light blue, and light gold. The Pro and Pro Max models, however, are said to go bolder with black, white, gray, dark blue, and orange. These colors have even appeared in “dummy” iPhone 17 models showcased by reliable leaker Sonny Dickson, giving us a tangible feel for the rumored aesthetics.

What will iOS 26 be like?

Apple has streamlined its operating system naming, so the next wave of iPhones will launch with iOS 26. This new OS, introduced at WWDC 2025, features a prominent design approach called “Liquid Glass.” While initial beta tests have seen Apple scale back some of the transparency effects, a glass-like visual style will still be present.

iOS 26 brings a mix of major and minor updates. Significant redesigns are coming to the Phone and Photos apps. Artificial intelligence plays a big role with features like live translation for Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. There’s also a new sensitive content warning for child accounts that can freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected, utilizing on-device machine learning. Visual Intelligence will also leverage AI to help you search for elements within images.

Beyond the big features, iOS 26 includes several quality-of-life improvements. Group texts will finally support polls, and for those who love to hit snooze, you’ll at long last be able to customize your alarm snooze times beyond the standard nine minutes!

The iOS 26 public beta is already available, offering a preview of its Liquid Glass design and other features. The good news is that iOS 26 will be compatible with many older devices, including all models back through the iPhone 11.