iPhone 17 or iPhone 26? All we know so far about the Apple ‘Awe Dropping’ event today

Let’s cut through the noise. The annual Apple September event is among the biggest days on the tech calendar, but it’s often swamped with speculation.

To build a clear picture, here is a breakdown of what to expect from tonight's showcase, based only on official announcements from Apple and reports so far.

The Event: What is officially confirmed

Apple has officially announced its special event for today, September 9, 2025.

The event has been given the tagline "Awe Dropping".

It is scheduled to begin at 10.00 am Pacific Time, which translates to 10.30 pm Indian Standard Time.

Apple will be live-streaming the event for the public to watch: https://www.apple.com/apple-events/

The live stream will also be available on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and Apple’s official YouTube channel.

The iPhone 17 or iPhone 26: What credible reports suggest

The central focus of the event is expected to be the new iPhone 17 lineup. More reports indicate that Apple will unveil four distinct iPhone 17 models.

These models are rumoured to be the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new, ultra-thin model possibly named the “iPhone 17 Air”.

The new “Air” model is reportedly set to replace the “Plus” model from previous generations.

A significant upgrade expected for the standard, non-Pro models is the inclusion of the 120Hz ProMotion display technology, which was previously exclusive to Pro models.

Other Devices: What else is expected

New Apple Watch models are also anticipated to be revealed at the event.

The expected new lineup includes an Apple Watch Series 11, a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a third-generation Apple Watch SE.

Reports also point to the potential launch of the third-generation AirPods Pro.

The software: iOS 26 could ship out-of-box

Apple could announce the official public release date for its major iPhone software update. The iOS 26, which is currently in Preview/Beta, was first previewed at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025.

Apple also broke its wo-decade-long history of sequential numbering, calling the latest operating system, the iOS 26. This could mean that new phones could also be called iPhone 26, iPhone 26 Pro, iPhone 26 Pro Max, and the iPhone 26 Air.

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