iPhone Air is here!
It isn’t iPhone ’17’ Air, it is just iPhone Air, and it is the thinnest iPhone ever made. The iPhone Air is 5.6mm thin with a 6.5-inch Pro Motion display.
iPhone 17: A durable new design with power to match
The standard model already looks like a big leap forward.
Design & Display
More durable build, available in five colors (lavender and sage stand out).
6.3-inch ProMotion display with adaptive refresh (120Hz peak, down to 1Hz in always-on mode).
Upgraded Ceramic Shield for 3x scratch resistance and reduced glare.
Performance
Powered by the A19 chip — 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. Apple calls this “a big step up” for graphics-heavy tasks.
Supports all Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26.
Battery & Charging
New fast-charging: 8 hours of video playback from just 10 minutes of charge.
ProMotion’s adaptive refresh also helps extend battery life.
Cameras
48MP main + 48MP ultrawide (a surprise for the base model).
2x optical-quality zoom via main camera.
New Center Stage front camera with wider field of view and square sensor — better for selfies and group shots without rotating your phone.
The iPhone 17 may be the “basic” model, but with A19 power and a 48MP ultrawide, it’s sounding anything but.
iPhone 17 is here!
CEO Tim Cook said we’re getting four new iPhones in the lineup this year, and starts with the new iPhone 17, which is coming in 5 different colours.
Apple Watch SE 3 and Ultra 3: Entry-level upgrades & ultimate adventure watch
Apple has refreshed both ends of its smartwatch lineup:
Apple Watch SE 3
Now with Always-On Display and faster S10 chip
Gains temperature sensing, sleep score, and sleep apnea tracking
5G available on cellular model
Still 18-hour battery, but now with fast charging: 15 minutes = 8 hours of use
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Features Apple’s largest-ever display, with a faster refresh in always-on mode
Adds 5G connectivity across models
First Apple Watch with satellite connectivity, enabling SOS and off-grid messaging
Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249, Apple Watch 11 is $399, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs $799.
Pre-orders start today, to go on sale on September 19.
Apple Watch Series 11: Smarter health tracking and longer battery life
The Apple Watch 11 brings durability, health upgrades, and better stamina:
Display — 2x more scratch resistant than the Series 10.
Connectivity — Built-in 5G, designed to be more power-efficient on cellular.
Health Features —
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Uses the optical heart sensor to detect signs of hypertension (pending FDA clearance).
Sleep Score: A new metric to track and improve sleep quality, viewable in the Watch and iPhone apps.
Battery Life — Up to 24 hours on a single charge (vs 18 hours before).
Apple is positioning the Watch 11 as its most health-focused wearable yet, and one that finally lasts through a full day and night.
Apple Watch Series 11 is here!
Next up, we’ve got the Apple Watch Series 11. We’re learning about its features after watching a video of people talking about how the smartwatch has improved their health.
AirPods Pro 3: Smarter sound, health tracking, and live translation
Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 bring meaningful upgrades across audio, design, and even health:
Audio — Improved spatial audio with a wider sound stage. ANC is now twice as effective, boosted by new foam eartips.
Live Translation — Powered by Apple Intelligence. Triggered via a new gesture: ANC lowers the speaker’s voice while your iPhone displays a live translation.
Design & Fit — New shape optimised for the ear canal, with five swappable tips and higher sweat/water resistance.
Health — Built-in heart-rate sensors let you track workouts directly from the earbuds, supporting Apple’s new Workout Buddy feature.
Battery — 8 hours per charge (up from 6), with a 10-hour hearing aid mode.
Price & Availability — Priced at $249 (apprixmately Dh914.58). Pre-orders open today, on sale September 19.
Apple launches AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 are the first to be launched at the Awe Dropping event. It promises “breakthrough audio performance.”
Tim Cook has some interesting things to say
The CEO says Apple has exciting changes it’ll introduce today for Apple AirPods, Apple Watch, and the upcoming iPhone lineup.
And we’re live!
The live stream starts with a quote from Steve Jobs. Watch it here:
It’s a full house!
Just a few minutes before the launch, new images on the internet show a packed Steve Jobs Theatre.
A major change
One of the biggest changes in this year’s lineup could be a new design for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. If all the leaks are any indication, the new devices are set to feature a rectangular camera bar.
In Case You Missed It
CEO Tim Cook is all set for the day.
“Days like today are some of the most exciting moments at Apple,” he wrote on X earlier today.
Latest rumour: Apple to get rid of numerics from its iPhone lineup?
New rumours from Weibo claim that the tech giant will drop “17” from its iPhone lineup. Accordting to Tom’s Guide, leaks claim the new devices will be called just ‘iPhone’, ‘iPhone Pro’, ‘iPhone Air’, and ‘iPhone Pro Max’.
Less than 2 hours to go: Expected product announcements
With less than 2 hours to go, here’s a list of expected product announcements at the ‘Awe Dropping’ event tonight:
Apple iPhones: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3
Other devices: Apple AirPods Pro 3, Apple TV 4K (2025), Apple AirTags 2, and Apple HomePod with Display
Apple Store locations across the UAE
The UAE is home to four official Apple Stores, spread across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Here’s a quick guide to all the Apple Stores you’ll find in the country:
Abu Dhabi
Apple The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
800 0444 0521
Apple Yas Mall
Yas Mall, Yas Island
800 0444 1824
Dubai
Apple Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha 1
800 0444 1819
Apple Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
800 0444 9012
Apple Store goes offline – “Be right back”
Just hours before the announcement, Apple temporarily shuts down its online store to “make updates.”
When can you buy the iPhone 17 in the UAE? Expected pre-order and released dates
Apple will confirm official dates tonight, but based on past launches, the UAE rollout looks clear:
September 9 — iPhone 17 announcement (tonight’s keynote, 9pm UAE time)
September 12 — Pre-orders open in the UAE
September 19 — Deliveries and in-store sales begin
If Apple follows last year’s schedule, UAE customers will have just 10 days between launch and release — keeping the country in the first wave of iPhone markets worldwide.
Expect the usual launch-day crowds, especially at the Dubai Mall Apple Store, which regularly sees fans queuing before sunrise to be the first with Apple’s latest device. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are tipped to be the hot sellers this year.
iPhone 17 Series: Expected UAE pricing vs last year
Apple’s event may also bring a price bump in its new iPhone lineup for UAE buyers. Here’s how the iPhone 17 lineup could stack up against last year’s iPhone 16 launch prices:
iPhone 16 Series (2024 launch in UAE):
iPhone 16 — Dh3,399
iPhone 16 Plus — Dh3,799
iPhone 16 Pro — Dh4,299
iPhone 16 Pro Max — Dh5,099
iPhone 17 Series (expected 2025 UAE pricing):
iPhone 17 — ~Dh3,399 (likely unchanged)
iPhone 17 Air — ~Dh3,799 (new model, replaces Plus)
iPhone 17 Pro — Dh4,399–Dh4,599 (vs Dh4,299 last year)
iPhone 17 Pro Max — Dh5,299+ (vs Dh5,099 last year)
The entry-level iPhone 17 should stay flat, while the Air and Pro models could see a Dh200–Dh300 jump. The Pro Max may finally cross the Dh5,299 threshold.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Should you upgrade?
Apple’s biggest iPhone is about to get even bigger on features. Here’s how the rumoured iPhone 17 Pro Max stacks up against last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Design & Display — The 16 Pro Max debuted titanium and a massive 6.9″ ProMotion display. The 17 Pro Max may swap to aluminium + glass, with a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective screen and a bold new rectangular camera bar.
Performance — From the A18 Pro (already lightning-fast) to the new A19 Pro chip with vapour chamber cooling for smoother gaming and multitasking.
Cameras — 16 Pro Max offered a 48MP main and 5x zoom. The 17 Pro Max is rumoured to bring a triple 48MP system with 8x zoom, 8K video, and dual front+rear recording.
Battery & Charging — From a 4,685mAh to a 5,000mAh cell, with faster wireless charging and possible reverse charging for AirPods/Apple Watch.
Price — Expect a small bump from last year’s Dh5,099 for the base variant, with pre-orders likely September 12 and launch September 19.
If you want a detailed comparison, this link might be worth checking out.
Verdict: Stick with the 16 Pro Max if you have no complaints with your current device and don’t need bleeding-edge features. But if you’re a creator or power user chasing Apple’s best camera and biggest battery yet, the 17 Pro Max could be worth the jump.
iPhone 17 Pro: All the rumoured features
Among all the expected reveals, the iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up as the one to watch. Here’s what the rumours say:
Design & Display — Moving from titanium to an aluminium frame with a glass back, plus a bold rectangular camera bump. A new matte, anti-reflective display could cut glare and fingerprints, while all iPhone 17 models may get a smaller, smarter Dynamic Island.
Cameras — A huge leap for telephoto: a 48MP lens with 5x and 8x optical zoom. All models should see a new 24MP selfie camera, and Pro versions may allow dual front+rear video recording.
Performance — Powered by the A19 Pro chip (built on TSMC’s 3rd-gen 3nm process) with 12GB RAM and vapour chamber cooling for heat control.
Battery — The Pro Max could top 5,000 mAh, making it Apple’s biggest battery yet.
If the rumours are right, the Pro models won’t just be faster, they’ll be Apple’s most powerful, photography-first iPhones to date.
Is Apple’s colourful event logo hiding iPhone features clues?
Ahead of tonight’s showcase, speculation is swirling around the “Awe Dropping” invitation. The orange and dark blue shades in Apple’s logo may point to two big iPhone 17 Pro upgrades:
New Colours — Rumours suggest the Pro lineup could debut in five finishes: black, white, gray, dark blue, and a bold new orange. The latter would be a first for Apple’s flagship models.
Vapour Chamber Cooling — The heat-map-style design may also tease a redesigned cooling system. Reports claim the iPhone 17 Pro will use vapour chamber tech — already seen in high-end Androids — to better manage heat during gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
If true, this would mark Apple’s first hardware-level cooling breakthrough, paired with the upcoming A19 Pro chip. We’ll know soon enough whether the logo really is a hint at both hot new colours and cooler performance.
What are the biggest product announcements tonight?
Apple is coming off a record $94 billion quarter and is widely tipped to reveal its most ambitious lineup in years.
Here are the biggest expected announcements on the radar:
iPhone 17 “Air” — an ultra-thin 5.5mm model replacing the Plus line, with a 6.6-inch 120Hz display, titanium-aluminum build, and starting at $899. Trade-offs may include a single 48MP camera and smaller battery.
iPhone 17 & 17 Pro — standard models expected to get a 24MP selfie cam and ProMotion across the lineup. The Pro/Pro Max may bring a new pill-shaped camera bump with 8x optical zoom, lighter aluminium backs, and vibrant new orange/blue finishes.
Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3 — Series 11 could introduce blood-pressure trend detection and an S11 chip, while Ultra 3 might debut standalone satellite connectivity and faster charging.
AirPods Pro 3 — tipped for heart-rate monitoring, possible temperature sensing, upgraded ANC, and a slimmer design.
Where can I live-stream the Apple event in the UAE?
The livestream will be available on multiple platforms:
Apple’s official website (apple.com)
Apple’s YouTube channel
Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV devices
Alternatively, you can follow the Khaleej Times live blog, where we will be reporting on all the announcements as they happen.
What time does the iPhone 17 launch event start in the UAE?
Tonight’s ‘Awe Dropping’ event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is shaping up to be a significant product launch, marking the beginning of a broader transformation of its hardware lineup.
The keynote kicks off at 10am PT, which translates to 9pm GST in the UAE.
Live coverage of Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ event – Few hours to go!
The countdown is on — at 9pm (UAE time) tonight, Apple will take the stage to unveil its latest lineup of devices and innovations at its ‘Awe Dropping’ event. Rumours point to slimmer iPhones (possibly an ‘iPhone Air’), upgraded Apple Watch models, and a heavier push into AI-powered features across the ecosystem.
Khaleej Times will be bringing you real-time updates, key announcements, first impressions, and instant analysis as the event unfolds.
Stay tuned here for all key moments and information — whether it’s a headline-grabbing new product, a subtle software shift that could shape how we use Apple tech every day, or a guide on how to get your hands on the latest iPhone in the UAE.
www.khaleejtimes.com (Article Sourced Website)
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