WEB DESK: With less than two weeks left for the launch of Apple’s next flagship, excitement is building worldwide for the iPhone 17 series. Apple has confirmed that it will hold its “Awe Dropping” launch event on Tuesday, September 9, at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California.
The announcement follows the company’s tradition of unveiling new iPhones every September.
Pre-orders and release
Apple is expected to open pre-orders for the new iPhones on September 12, while official sales will begin on September 19. This year’s line-up will include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which will replace the Plus variant.
What to expect from iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 series is anticipated to bring a major design refresh and performance upgrades. Some of the key changes expected include:
- A larger 6.3-inch display for the regular iPhone 17, up from 6.1 inches.
- ProMotion 120 Hz displays across all models.
- A slim iPhone 17 Air with Apple’s first in-house 5G modem chip.
- Redesigned Pro models featuring a half-glass, half-aluminium build with a horizontal camera bump.
- Camera upgrades with a 24MP selfie lens across all variants, while the Pro models could feature triple 48MP rear cameras, 8× optical zoom, and 8K video support.
- Higher memory, with 12GB RAM in Pro and Air models, while the standard iPhone 17 retains 8GB.
- Battery improvements with 35W wired charging and 25W wireless charging using Qi2 standard.
- Enhanced thermal systems in Pro models for sustained performance.
Pakistan’s iPhone craze
For Apple enthusiasts in Pakistan, the iPhone 17 launch will be no less than a spectacle. Despite the lack of an official Apple store, high taxes, and costly PTA approvals, the iPhone remains a dream device for many. Last year, some eager buyers reportedly paid up to Rs800,000 to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max soon after its launch.
This year, early estimates suggest that the iPhone 17 base model may cost around Rs400,000, while the top-end iPhone 17 Pro Max could touch Rs800,000 in Pakistan. Exact pricing will become clear once distributors, such as Mercantile, begin importing Apple devices, likely by late September.
Beyond iPhones
Apple’s September event will also feature new wearables, including the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3, alongside the much-anticipated iPhone 17 line-up.