Apple iPhone 17 series launch: Everything you need to know

Apple’s latest keynote, the “Awe Dropping” event, was all about pushing its hardware lineup into new territory. The headliner was the iPhone 17 series, a family that now includes the regular iPhone 17, a brand-new ultra-thin iPhone Air, and the usual Pro and Pro Max. Apple also used the stage to refresh the Apple Watch lineup, unveil the third-gen AirPods Pro, and sprinkle in a few accessory updates.

iPhone Air: Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever

The biggest shake-up comes from the iPhone Air, which effectively replaces the “Plus” model that’s been around since the iPhone 14. At just 5.6mm thick, it’s the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever built, but it doesn’t compromise on power.

The Air runs on the A19 Pro chip with GPU performance that Apple claims is on par with MacBook Pros, while its titanium design and 6.5-inch ProMotion display make it feel more like a Pro model wearing slim-fit clothing. It’s also the first iPhone to go all-in on eSIM worldwide.

Cameras include a 48MP Fusion system and an 18MP Center Stage front shooter, with a new Dual Capture mode that records from both sides at once. That bold design comes at a premium: the iPhone Air starts at ₹1,19,900 for 256GB, going up to ₹1,59,900 for the 1TB model.

READ: iPhone 16E Review: Just Enough iPhone

Apple iPhone 17 launch in India

The base iPhone 17 finally gets the ProMotion treatment, with a 120Hz screen that can scale down to 1Hz for always-on use. Brightness peaks at 3,000 nits, setting a new bar for Apple displays, while Ceramic Shield 2 promises better scratch resistance.

Under the hood is the new 3nm A19 chip, complete with faster neural engines and GPU improvements aimed at powering Apple’s push into on-device AI.

The cameras also get a serious boost, with a 48MP Fusion main lens, a new 12MP ultra-wide with macro, and smarter AI-driven framing for video calls. Even the entry-level model now starts at 256GB, priced at ₹82,900, while the 512GB option comes in at ₹1,02,900.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max upgrades

As for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple doubled down on performance and endurance. Both get a redesigned aluminium chassis and a new vapour chamber cooling system for sustained performance.

The Pro Max, in particular, boasts the longest battery life Apple has ever delivered, with up to 39 hours of video playback. The camera setup goes all-in on zoom versatility, offering optical-quality 4x and 8x modes, plus a 40x digital zoom that’s clearly aimed at Pixel and Galaxy territory. ProRes RAW and Genlock support also mark a bigger swing at serious video creators.

Pricing reflects their “halo” status: the iPhone 17 Pro starts at ₹1,34,900 for 256GB and maxes out at ₹1,74,900 for 1TB, while the Pro Max begins at ₹1,49,900 and stretches to a jaw-dropping ₹2,29,900 for the 2TB version.

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Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and Watch SE 3 debut

The event wasn’t just iPhones. Apple rolled out the Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and a new SE. The Apple Watch Series 11 brings hypertension detection and sleep scoring, plus a new Space Grey finish, with prices starting at ₹46,900 for the 42mm and ₹49,900 for the 46mm.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 gets the biggest screen Apple has ever put on a watch, along with satellite messaging and SOS in supported regions, and it will set you back ₹89,900.

The Apple Watch SE 3 leans into accessibility with gesture recognition and even sleep apnea detection, starting at ₹25,900 for the 40mm and ₹28,900 for the 44mm.

AirPods Pro 3 with Apple Intelligence

Then there are the AirPods Pro 3. Apple finally gave its earbuds health-tracking skills with a built-in heart rate sensor, and they now tap into Apple Intelligence for things like real-time in-ear translations.

They’re also more rugged, with IP57 dust and water resistance, while delivering stronger active noise cancellation and up to 10 hours of battery life in transparency mode. In India, they’ll cost ₹25,900.

Apple iPhone 17 Event 2025: Final wrap up

Taken together, the “Awe dropping” lineup feels less about shock value and more about refinement. The iPhone Air is the boldest swing, while the Pro Max continues to push at the edges of what a smartphone can be. And with watches and AirPods gaining health and AI smarts, Apple is quietly threading its ecosystem even tighter around everyday life.