Skinny legend: Apple drops their slimmest iPhone yet
Ozempic has hit the tech sphere with Apple embracing the skinny trend with their new iPhone Air
THE ANNUAL SEPTEMBER SHOWCASE FROM APPLE stopped trading in surprise a few years ago. Regular leaks see to that. But it still sets a serious agenda. Ozempic’s influence has even reached the tech sphere, with the brief at this year’s keynote being “thinness.” The all-new iPhone Air takes top billing as Apple’s slimmest handset, joined by a refreshed iPhone 17 line and two Apple Watches that push health tracking further.
At a mere just 5.6mm thick, it boasts a Ceramic Shield 2 that’s claimed to be four times more crack-resistant. A single 48-megapixel rear camera with 2x optical pairs with the A19 Pro chip, new N1 networking and a C1X modem for faster wireless and smoother video calls without hammering the battery. If “all-day” isn’t enough, a MagSafe pack will be sold separately.
For outright performance, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max step up with aluminium bodies, three larger 48-megapixel sensors and up to 8x optical zoom. A vapour-chamber keeps the A19 Pro cool, while 12GB supports Apple Intelligence in iOS 26. Apple says Pro Max hits up to 39 hours of video playback.
Not all the updates fit in your pocket. Apple Watch Series 11 adds hypertension notifications (pending approval) and a new sleep-score system in a thinner case with 5G and all-day battery.
For the off-grid crowd, Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings satellite messaging and SOS in the same rugged titanium shell, with a larger display and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
All models — iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 — land 19 September, with pre-orders opening this week.
We’ve detailed the biggest announcements from the keynote below. Watch the full event here.
iPhone Air
The iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, measuring just 5.6mm and built around a titanium frame with a high-gloss finish. Despite its slim profile, it houses a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display capable of 120Hz refresh with ProMotion, 3000 nits peak brightness and Always-On functionality. For durability, Ceramic Shield 2 protects the front, while Ceramic Shield now covers the back for the first time, offering three times better scratch resistance and four times better crack resistance than before.
Inside, the A19 Pro chip works alongside Apple’s N1 networking and C1X modem, making the Air the most power-efficient iPhone yet. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread for seamless connectivity. The camera system includes a versatile 48MP Fusion Main lens with optical-quality 2x telephoto, while the 18MP Center Stage front camera uses a square sensor to capture in both portrait and landscape without rotation. Video can be shot in 4K60 Dolby Vision with Spatial Audio. Available in space black, cloud white, light gold and sky blue, the iPhone Air launches 19 September.
iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 introduces a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion and 120Hz adaptive refresh. With peak outdoor brightness at 3000 nits, it’s Apple’s brightest screen yet. Ceramic Shield 2 enhances durability with three times the scratch resistance and reduced glare.
On the rear, two 48MP Fusion cameras, Main with 2x telephoto and Ultra Wide, deliver improved sharpness and macro capabilities. The new 18MP Center Stage front camera offers a wider field of view and stabilised 4K HDR video. Dual Capture lets users record from both front and back cameras at once.
Performance comes via the A19 chip, built on 3-nanometre technology with a six-core CPU and five-core GPU. Apple claims up to 30 hours of video playback, eight more than iPhone 16, aided by iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Mode. Available in lavender, mist blue, sage, white and black, with storage starting at 256GB, iPhone 17 also goes on sale 19 September.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
The Pro models have been completely re-engineered with aerospace-grade aluminium unibodies and integrated vapor chambers to improve heat dissipation. Larger batteries are supported by the efficiency of the A19 Pro chip, which delivers up to 40% better sustained performance compared to the previous generation. Displays are available in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes, both with ProMotion up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak brightness, and Ceramic Shield 2 on both front and back.
Cameras include three 48MP Fusion lenses — Main, Ultra Wide, and a new Telephoto with 8x optical zoom, the longest yet on an iPhone. Digital zoom extends to 40x, and an updated Photonic Engine preserves detail and colour. An 18MP Center Stage front camera allows wider selfies and Dual Capture video recording.
For professionals, video options expand to ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 and genlock synchronisation for multi-camera productions. Battery life stretches to 39 hours of video playback, with 50% charge achievable in 20 minutes using Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter. Offered in deep blue, cosmic orange and silver, storage extends to 2TB.
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Series 11 arrives as the thinnest yet, pairing comfort with new health features. The standout addition is hypertension notifications, built on machine learning and validated in large-scale studies, that monitor vascular response over 30-day periods to detect signs of high blood pressure. A new sleep score system, informed by over five million nights of sleep data, provides a transparent breakdown of rest quality.
Battery life now extends to 24 hours, with fast charging delivering eight hours in 15 minutes. Aluminium models use Ion-X glass with a ceramic coating that doubles scratch resistance, while titanium models continue with sapphire crystal. Series 11 also debuts 5G connectivity with redesigned antennas for stronger reception. Colours include jet black, rose gold, silver and space grey in aluminium, with titanium available in natural, gold and slate.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Designed for adventure, the Ultra 3 introduces satellite connectivity, enabling emergency messaging, SOS alerts and location sharing off-grid. Redesigned antennas allow communication with satellites orbiting 800 miles above Earth, with service free for the first two years.
The largest Apple Watch screen yet uses LTPO3 OLED technology with slimmer borders and a 1Hz always-on refresh for a visible seconds hand. Battery life reaches 42 hours in normal use or 72 in Low Power Mode. Ultra 3 also inherits hypertension notifications and sleep scoring, alongside AI-powered Workout Buddy coaching.
A rugged titanium case, brighter display and allegedly longest GPS battery life in a sports watch position Ultra 3 as Apple’s most versatile tool for endurance athletes and outdoor users alike.
French maison Hermès will also be releasing their versions of both the Series 11 and Ultra 3, the latter featuring a slimmer Grand H metal strap and new rubber band. Screen-printed straps featuring art from Shinsuke Kawahara’s eponymous silk scarf will also be available.
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