iPhone 17 roundup: rumors, iOS 26 & what to expect

August is nearly over and Apple’s usual mid‑September event is likely on the horizon. Here’s a concise look at the most credible iPhone 17 rumors, what to expect from iOS 26, and other products that might join the stage.

When?

Most reports point to a September announcement (some sources suggest Sept. 9). Apple historically announces new iPhones in September, though official invites may arrive only a week or two ahead.

Top rumors

• TechWoven cases: Leaks claim revamped fabric-style cases (similar to the old FineWoven) with two lanyard holes for carrying and new colors such as gray/black, blue, green, purple and orange.
• iPhone 17 Air: Expected to be an ultra‑thin model, possibly called iPhone 17 Air, reportedly using a basic A19 chip, a single camera lens, and a light frame (mixed reports on aluminum vs. titanium). Battery leaks suggest a thinner battery (around 2,800 mAh) — battery life may be impacted by the slim design.
• iPhone 17 / Pro / Pro Max: Rumors include aluminum frames for non‑Air models (reducing weight versus current titanium Pro frames), a wider or full‑width camera island on Pro models, updated antenna designs for better wireless reception, and potential chassis/layout changes for MagSafe.
• Storage & pricing: Some leakers suggest a new baseline of 256GB storage for the lineup (doubling the current 128GB), which could accompany a modest price bump — Apple may market this as better value if it happens.

iOS 26 — what’s new

• Design: “Liquid Glass” visual updates (Apple has scaled back transparency in betas).
• AI features: Live translation across Phone/FaceTime/Messages, Visual Intelligence for image element search, and other on‑device AI functions.
• Other: Redesigned Phone and Photos apps, group text polls, and small quality‑of‑life changes (example: longer snooze intervals).

Other expected hardware

Apple often announces Apple Watch updates alongside iPhones (Series 11 / Watch Ultra refresh / updated SE). There are ongoing rumors about refreshed AirPods Pro, AirTags, new iPads and other devices, but not all are guaranteed to appear at the same event.

Where to read more

• MacRumors — recent leaks and case photos
• Bloomberg (Mark Gurman) — details on the iPhone 17 Air and internal decisions
• Tom’s Guide / Sonny Dickson — images and dummy models showing color options

Looking for cases or want to keep an eye on accessories? Search for iPhone 17 cases on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=iPhone+17+case&tag=f1rede-20

Note: These are rumors and leaks. Final details will be confirmed at Apple’s official event.