Tech giant Apple (AAPL) is expected to hold its usual fall launch event on September 9, where it will likely reveal the new iPhone 17 lineup along with updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. According to TechCrunch, rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 will feature a larger 6.3-inch screen with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, a sharper 24-megapixel front camera, and new colors like purple and green.
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Furthermore, the Pro models may feature a redesigned back with three cameras in a rectangular bar, while the iPhone 17 Pro could switch from titanium to aluminum in order to make it lighter and cheaper to produce. The iPhone 17 Pro Max might also be slightly thicker to fit a bigger battery, which would be a welcome upgrade for heavy users. Interestingly, prices are rumored to start at $800 for the iPhone 17, $1,050 for the Pro, and $1,250 for the Pro Max. However, one of the most talked-about possibilities is the iPhone Air, which could replace the Plus model.
Indeed, it is rumored to be Apple’s thinnest phone yet, at just 5.5 mm thick, making it slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and it may have a 6.6-inch display. The thin design would look sleek but might come with trade-offs, such as only one rear camera and no bottom speaker, meaning audio could only come from the earpiece. Still, the iPhone Air is expected to cost around $950 and come in black, silver, and light gold. Many believe this move could be a step toward Apple’s long-rumored foldable phone, which could arrive in September 2026.
Upgrades to Watches and Earbuds
Apple is also rumored to upgrade its watches and earbuds. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 could add faster charging, 5G, satellite connectivity, and a bigger display. In addition, the Series 11 might introduce health features like blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection, though Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says these could be delayed.
Separately, the more affordable Apple Watch SE 3 could get a larger screen and possibly a plastic version. Expected prices are $250 for the SE 3, $400 for the Series 11, and $800 for the Ultra 3. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 3 may debut with smaller earbuds, a slimmer case, touch controls, and the new H3 chip for improved noise cancellation and adaptive audio.
Is Apple a Buy or Sell Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on AAPL stock based on 16 Buys, 12 Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $235.14 per share implies 3.4% upside potential.
