The Apple N1 chip handles Wi-Fi in the new iPhone 17 series. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The Apple N1 wireless chip is easy to overlook in the hoopla surrounding the new iPhone 17 series, but it’s an advancement in Apple’s drive to produce all its own silicon.
The new in-house chip handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more, and Apple says it’ll improve the performance of Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
Beats offers a comprehensive set of case choices among iPhone 17 series models. Photo: Beats
Three new Beats iPhone cases designed for Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup include an array of color choices as well as kickstand and rugged options, the Apple subsidiary said Tuesday. Available choices cover the whole lineup — iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
“The overwhelming response to our Beats cases proved a core idea: users crave both style and serious utility,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports and Beats. “With that in mind, we’ve engineered the next generation. The new Beats iPhone cases integrate protective features, delivering a significant leap in everyday innovation and functionality.”
Your iPhone 17, 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max will spend less time on the charger. Photo: Apple
Apple’s iPhone 17 family supports significantly faster wired charging speeds. They can top up to 50% in just 20 minutes — 10 minutes faster than previous iPhones.
Apple still isn’t charging for a life-saving iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 feature. Image: Apple
iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners will get another year of free satellite connectivity. The company did not announce this extension on stage but mentioned it in the footnote of the iPhone 17 Pro press release.
This is the second extension for iPhone 14 since its launch in September 2023.
Taking group selfies is easier than ever with the iPhone 17 lineup. Photo: Apple
The new Center Stage front camera in the iPhone 17 lineup uses advanced hardware and AI magic to rid us of a thoroughly modern annoyance: having to flip your grip to capture a landscape selfie.
“We are thrilled to introduce our phenomenal new Center Stage front camera,” said iPhone product manager Megan Nash during Tuesday’s Awe Dropping event. “It gives you more pixels, more flexible ways to frame your shot, and incredible stabilization.”
The hardware secret that unlocks this new age of selfie supremacy? A square sensor that’s bigger than ever — almost twice the size of the iPhone’s previous front camera. It’s coming soon to a bar near you in the super-slim iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, all of which Apple unveiled Tuesday.
Watch the event in just 2.1% of the time. Image: Apple
During Tuesday’s Awe Dropping event, Apple announced AirPods Pro 3, refreshed every model of Apple Watch and unveiled four all-new iPhones, including the first iPhone Air. It’s an impressive set of products in a pretty quick event.
But if you want to watch an even faster event, you can get the gist in 90 seconds with our Awe Dropping event video recap.
iPhone 17 includes a larger screen and a much better selfie cam. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The wait for the iPhone 17 is over. Although it’s Apple’s new base-model handset, the latest version includes features previously preserved for pricier models, including a larger, always-on ProMotion (120Hz) screen. Plus, the front-facing camera got Center Stage and a resolution boost.
“iPhone 17 is a big upgrade with powerful features that make iPhone even more useful in your day-to-day life, from the bigger and brighter ProMotion display with 3x better scratch resistance, to all-day battery life with faster charging, the A19 chip for powerful performance, a fantastic 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, and the innovative Center Stage front camera — our best front camera yet,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “iPhone 17 is a fantastic choice for customers looking for the latest features and the confidence in knowing their iPhone is built to last.”
The new iPhones and Apple Watches are almost here. Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple’s biggest day of the year is almost here! September 9 brings the Awe Dropping event that’ll be jam-packed with product launches. We’re definitely expecting multiple redesigned iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches, plus there could be a few more products on the agenda.
Here’s the full list of Apple products rumored to be coming on Tuesday.
iPhone 17 seems set to deliver significantly longer runtime. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The alleged battery capacity of the iPhone 17 lineup has surfaced online. It points to Apple using significantly bigger batteries on its upcoming iPhone.
And for the first time since adding eSIM support with the 2017 iPhone X, Apple may equip the eSIM-only models with a larger battery.
The iPhone 17 Air introduces a remarkably slim profile — ideal for pairing with a 0.02-inch ultra-thin case. Photo: Case Luxury
If you’re planning to get a new iPhone 17 and are already making a list of must-have accessories, an iPhone 17 Ultra Thin Case from Case Luxury should be near the top. They measure just 0.02 inches thin, and they perfectly show off Apple’s renowned industrial design.
There is an Ultra Thin Case that fits each iPhone 17 model like it was built alongside it. There’s no excess bulk, no chunky edges, just a smooth, satin matte finish that keeps fingerprints away and feels grippy enough without being tacky. Plus, the cases come in multiple colors, so you can find one that’s right for you.
Does the invitation to the Apple event hint at what the company will announce? Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac
The graphic in the invitation to Apple’s upcoming “Awe dropping” product launch event looks like a thermal image, and that set off furious speculation Tuesday about whether it’s a hint about a feature coming to one of the many products expected to debut that day.
Could it refer to a way to cool the iPhone 17 Pro? Or a new Apple Watch sensor? Something else?
Apple sometimes uses its event invitations to hint about what it will announce, so it’s possible the company is clueing us in.
All we officially know about Apple’s September event is that it’ll be “Awe dropping.” Image: Apple
Invitations went out Tuesday for a much-anticipated Apple press event on September 9. The theme is “Awe dropping,” and the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series should be the highlight.
Also likely on the agenda are the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Stay informed ahead of the release of the basic iPhone 17. Image: Cult of Mac
The iPhone 17 is less than a month away, and early rumors are already stirring excitement. It may be Apple’s basic model, but it’s still expected to get a better, larger screen, enhanced selfie camera, as well as a faster processor and a new range of color options.
When it comes to AI, the iPhone severely lags Google's Pixel phones. Swiping these AI features would be a great start. Image: Cult of Mac
Google’s new Pixel 10 lineup shows just how much fun (and just how useful) AI can be on a phone. If Apple really wants the iPhone 17 lineup to shine, it should steal a few pages from Google’s playbook.
The iPhone 17 needs more than impressive new hardware to stand out from the crowd. It needs new AI features to make an impact, especially with the Pixel 10 raising the bar.
The debate continues over whether all four iPhone 17 models will get ProMotion display, or if two of them will just be 120Hz. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple may charge an extra $50 for the iPhone 17 Pro. But it could also finally increase the 128GB base storage in favor of a roomier option.
A $50 price bump means the iPhone 17 Pro will cost $1,050 in the U.S. before taxes.
This image shows an iPhone 17 Liquid Silicone case with lanyard openings at the near corners. Photo: Majinbu
Apple might unveil a significant redesign for its iPhone 17 cases when the lineup launches in September, introducing new Liquid Silicone cases featuring optional lanyard support, leakers suggested Wednesday.
Could the iPhone 17 Pro look like this? Stephen Hackett joins us to give his thoughts. Photo: Sonny Dickson/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Stephen Hackett joins Leander and Griffin to talk all about a big week of iPhone 17 Pro leaks. We have a camera rumor that’s absolutely bananas, models of the new colors — and a spy shot out in public?
Also: tips on customizing your Home Screen, an almost-normal Mac mini setup, and a big new Mac display!
iPhone 17 is barely a month away! Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Those eager to get their hands on one of the upcoming iPhone 17 models should mark their calendars. Information supposedly leaking out of a German wireless carrier indicates Apple’s next-generation smartphones will launch during a fall product-launch event on September 8.
No matter whether this leak is legitimate or not, just using Apple’s previous habits to estimate the iPhone 17 launch day turns up September 8 as a very likely possibility.
Trump tariffs could push up the cost of the next iPhones. Image: Cult of Mac
Tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump placed on China imports will push up the price of three iPhone 17 series models, according to an industry analyst. A $50 hike is predicted.
What do you think about these alleged iPhone 17 Pro colors? Photo: Sonny Dickson
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units give us a look at the lineup’s potential color palette. If accurate, Apple will supposedly offer the iPhone 17 Pro lineup in a bold orange color this year.
The iPhone 17 Air and base iPhone 17 will seemingly come in more muted shades.
Here’s everything rumors told us to expect from Apple in the next year. Photo: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac
Apple is gearing up for a blockbuster year, with a packed product roadmap that spans nearly every category in its lineup. From an iPhone redesign to upgrades for the Mac, iPad and Apple Watch families, the next twelve months promise a steady stream of hardware refreshes, software milestones and perhaps a few surprises.
Whether you’re a casual user or a die-hard fan, here’s a look at every major Apple product expected between now and next summer.
Apple’s next iPhone could feature an anti-reflective display. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Contrary to previous rumors, a new report says Apple will equip the iPhone 17 Pro with a new antireflective display. The coating will help cut down on glare and unwanted reflections, making the device easier to use — especially outside on sunny days.
Apple suppliers seemingly improved their yields enough to allow mass production of the antireflective displays for use in the upcoming iPhones.
An X.com user displays the colors using Pantone selections. On the left is iPhone 17; top right is iPhone 17 Air and bottom right shows the Pro colors. Photo: X.com@pyrobinkx
Apple’s complete — and surprisingly broad — iPhone 17 color palette got confirmation through internal Apple documents, according to a new report. Expanding on recent leaks, the new information reveals the most diverse selection in years across all four models expected to launch in September.
The confirmation comes as Apple prepares to refresh its entire smartphone lineup with new features including the A19 chip, 12GB of RAM for Pro models, and the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air to replace the iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 17 Air should turn heads. Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple might exclusively use a titanium frame on the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Other members of the iPhone 17 family will seemingly feature an aluminum chassis.
The prediction comes from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu.