Apple’s much-anticipated ‘Awe-Dropping’ iPhone 17 launch - what to watch for

Apple is gearing up to take the stage this afternoon in Cupertino, California, for its much-anticipated 'Awe-Dropping' keynote. The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, along with new Apple Watches and possibly the next generation of AirPods Pro.

The livestream is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm Eastern (10:00 am Pacific / 6:00 pm UK / 10:00 pm EAT) and will be accessible on Apple’s official website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube. For viewers in Nairobi, Kenya, the stream begins at 10:00 pm local time.

iPhone 17 and the ultra-thin “Air” model

The star of today’s showcase will most certainly be the iPhone 17 series. Reports point to four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an all-new iPhone 17 Air.

The Air is said to be the slimmest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.5 mm thick, thinner than even 2014’s iPhone 6, but its sleek design may come with trade-offs: a single 48 MP camera and a smaller battery.

Reports suggest Apple may compensate with advanced high-density silicon-anode cells for longer endurance, but we have yet to find that out tonight.

What is in for the “pro ”models

The Pro models are expected to shift from titanium to aluminium frames and introduce a redesigned “camera island” spanning much of the back panel, almost edge to edge. It will also house upgraded lenses, including a 48 MP telephoto option.

The standard iPhone 17 units could finally gain 120 Hz ProMotion displays, previously limited to the Pro tier.

Operating system: iOS 26 debut

All new iPhones will ship with iOS 26, Apple’s latest and most significant design overhaul in years.

The update introduces the “liquid glass” visual style, bringing smoother animations, translucent elements, and a refreshed lock screen experience.

Expect Apple to spotlight how the iPhone 17’s display and processing power complement these changes.

New Apple watches and AirPods Pro-3

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Beyond iPhones, Apple is expected to refresh its wearables.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 may include 5G, satellite texting, and a more powerful chip, while the Series 11 could continue refining the thinner, larger-screen design introduced last year. There is also a chance that Apple could launch a new SE model.

Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 3 are rumoured to add biometric features such as in-ear heart rate and temperature sensors, alongside live translation capabilities.

What are the colours and prices?

Alongside the refreshed design and upgraded cameras, one of the big talking points this year is the new palette of finishes. Reports suggest the Pro models will debut in sky blue, teal titanium, dark green, silver white and space black, giving buyers a wider range of premium choices than last year’s lineup.

Pricing for the iPhone 17 family will again place Apple’s flagship devices at the top of the market.

The standard iPhone 17 is expected to launch for about $799, roughly Sh128,000 at current exchange rates.

The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air could be priced at around $949, or about Sh152,000, while the iPhone 17 Pro is tipped to start at $1,049, equivalent to Sh168,000.

At the top end, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is projected to cost $1,249, which translates to just over Sh200,000.

Kenyan retailers are already preparing for the rollout, with some listings placing the Pro Max at nearly 230,000 shillings for the base 256 GB configuration.

Refined sentence:

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series open on Friday, September 12, at 3:00 pm Kenyan time. The devices are expected to be released a week later, on Friday, September 19, when both deliveries to customers and in-store availability will begin.

How to watch live

• Apple’s website, apple.com
• Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV
• Apple’s YouTube channel for global streaming access

With the official reveal just hours away, Apple’s global fan base is watching closely to see whether the new design, fresh colours and iOS 26’s redesigned interface will be enough to spark another wave of upgrades.