Apple iPhone 17 Series and iPhone Air: A New Chapter in Apple’s Legacy

Apple’s September 9 event may not have shocked the world with an unexpected ‘one more thing,’ but it reignited something many fans feared had been lost – the thrill of a truly new iPhone lineup. After years of incremental upgrades, the iPhone 17 family finally brings bold steps forward across all models, including the long-overlooked base version. This generation feels like a reset, one that could make even long-time Android loyalists stop and take notice.

The iPhone 17: No Longer the Underdog

For years, Apple kept its base iPhone far behind the Pro line. The entry model typically lacked modern displays, powerful camera systems, and generous storage. That strategy seems to have ended with the iPhone 17. This year’s vanilla iPhone is not just a budget-friendly alternative – it’s a true flagship in its own right.

The iPhone 17 now comes with a 6.3-inch LTPO ProMotion display running at 120Hz, identical to the Pro’s screen. The brightness reaches up to 3,000 nits, and Apple didn’t restrict it to force Pro buyers higher up the ladder. Add in anti-reflective Ceramic Shield 2 glass – previously a Pro-only luxury – and the base model suddenly feels like a premium device.

Storage is another big win: 256GB is now standard, finally aligning with the expectations of 2025. And Apple has upgraded the cameras as well. The new 18MP Center Stage selfie camera features a square sensor for seamless portrait and landscape shots without rotating the phone, while the rear 48MP Fusion ultrawide elevates the base photography experience. Together, these changes transform the iPhone 17 into a fully realized flagship rather than an afterthought.

The Pro Models: Style Meets Substance

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max received the biggest aesthetic shakeup since the iPhone 12. With the new Cosmic Orange colorway and precision-milled aluminum unibody, the devices look fresh and instantly recognizable. For years, the Pro line carried almost identical designs, but the new generation feels distinct and bold.

Apple has also addressed performance concerns. While the A-series chips have always led in raw power, iPhones often suffered under sustained loads due to thermal throttling. The new vapor chamber cooling system fixes that, bringing Apple in line with what Android flagships have offered for years. It may be overdue, but it’s an essential upgrade that finally makes the Pro as efficient as it is powerful.

On the camera front, Apple replaced the 5x 120mm telephoto lens with a 4x 100mm zoom, powered by a larger 48MP sensor. This promises sharper, more versatile shots without the limitations of the old 12MP hardware. While some purists may mourn the loss of the 5x reach, the compromise seems calculated to appeal to everyday users.

The iPhone Air: A Bold but Risky Experiment

The surprise announcement came in the form of the iPhone Air, a device Apple is pitching as the smartphone equivalent of the MacBook Air. Like its laptop namesake, the Air prioritizes thinness and style over raw specs, and it is priced below the Pro series. Apple seems to envision it as a lifestyle iPhone – sleek, fashionable, and designed for people who don’t obsess over technical details.

But not everyone is convinced. While the MacBook Air balances portability with enough power for serious work, the iPhone Air leans heavily into the fashion-first philosophy. Its single-speaker setup already raised eyebrows, with critics questioning how a $1,000-plus device in 2025 can ship without stereo sound. The exaggerated camera bump and toy-like Cosmic Orange option have also divided opinions. Some see it as a bold new direction, while others dismiss it as a gimmick destined to share the fate of the short-lived iPhone mini and Plus models.

iOS 26: More Than Just a Visual Update

The hardware wasn’t the only headline of Apple’s showcase. iOS 26 represents one of the boldest design shifts in years. The new ‘Liquid Glass’ interface gives the operating system a sleeker, futuristic aesthetic that is sure to polarize users. Early impressions suggest that Apple is finally breaking free from its design stagnation, although the move won’t be universally loved.

Under the hood, iOS 26 packs plenty of functional improvements. The camera app has been redesigned for smoother switching between photo and video modes. Adaptive Power Mode promises smarter battery management, while Apple Intelligence has been quietly upgraded with sharper contextual awareness. For many, these quality-of-life tweaks will matter more than the visual overhaul.

Still, some critics point out the elephant in the room: Apple’s event was notably light on AI innovation. With Google and Samsung loudly advertising generative AI features, Apple’s relative silence suggests that its bigger AI play may not arrive until 2026. Whether that delay hurts Apple’s momentum remains to be seen.

The Foldable Question

And then there’s the device that didn’t appear. Rumors swirled about an iPhone Fold reveal, but Apple stayed quiet. Foldables have been buzzing in the industry since Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold in 2019, but Apple remains absent from the race. For nearly a decade, whispers of a folding iPhone have circulated, and yet the company refuses to show even a teaser. Some argue that foldables are a gimmick, others insist Apple is missing a huge opportunity. Either way, the wait continues.

A Return to Apple’s Prime?

The iPhone 17 generation feels different from its predecessors. The base model is finally worthy of the Apple name, the Pros have fresh designs and meaningful upgrades, and even the controversial Air injects a dose of experimentation into the lineup. Combined with a reimagined iOS, this launch signals a company once again willing to take risks instead of relying solely on incremental polish.

Whether this series marks the beginning of a new golden era for Apple or just a temporary spark remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, the conversation around the iPhone is not about what’s missing – it’s about what’s exciting. And that might be the biggest win of all.