Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone 17 Air Priced at 999 Dollars

Apple Inc. recently unveiled its latest iPhone 17 series, introducing a sleek new Air model alongside several innovative technologies. The event, held at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, also saw updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods, among other products. The highlight of the event was the debut of the iPhone 17 Air, a new ultra-thin model designed to redefine the smartphone experience.

The iPhone 17 Air, with a thickness of just 5.6 millimeters, is positioned between the standard and Pro versions. It features a dual-sided ceramic shield for enhanced durability and is equipped with Apple's proprietary Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips, as well as an advanced modem for superior wireless performance. Priced at 999 dollars, the Air model aims to appeal to a broader range of consumers.

The standard iPhone 17, priced at 799 dollars, offers significant upgrades. Its 6.3-inch display features narrower bezels, supports 120Hz ProMotion high refresh rate, and has a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The device also includes the same A19 chip found in the Pro version, providing improved performance and efficiency, with an extended battery life of up to 8 hours. The front camera has been upgraded to 24 megapixels, and the device comes in five new colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage green, catering to younger consumers.

The iPhone 17 series is available in China at a starting price of 5999 yuan. The iPhone Air starts at 7999 yuan, the Pro at 8999 yuan, and the Pro Max at 9999 yuan. The top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at 17999 yuan, setting a new record for the highest-priced iPhone model.

The high-end iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a unibody aluminum frame and ceramic shields on both the front and back, combining aesthetics with durability. The rear camera system includes three 48-megapixel lenses with 8x optical zoom, while the front camera is 18 megapixels with a new subject-centering feature. The design has been streamlined with a top-mounted horizontal camera module. Powered by the new A19 Pro chip and featuring an advanced heat dissipation system and larger battery, the Pro Max model can play videos for up to 39 hours on a single charge.

On the software front, Apple will release six major system updates, including iOS 26, on September 15. iOS 26 introduces a new "Liquid Glass" visual language with a semi-transparent glass effect and enhanced Apple Intelligence features for real-time voice and text translation. Apple Music now includes AutoMix smart mixing and lyric translation, while the Games gaming center and Preview tool are available for the first time on iPhone and iPad. The Phone app has been extended to iPad and Mac, enabling seamless cross-device calling.

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to help Apple reach a wider audience, particularly in the mid to high-end market, potentially boosting overall sales. However, the market response has been muted due to extensive pre-release leaks.