iPhone 17 is coming soon: Between great expectations and a series of thorny challenges

(Dan Tri) - The technology world is focusing its attention on Apple's fall event, where the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the brightest star.

The iPhone 17 Air is said to sacrifice many features in exchange for a slim size (Photo: 9ToMac).

The product is rumored to feature a revolutionary ultra-thin design, which could be the biggest boost to the iPhone line in years.

However, behind the glitz lies a host of obstacles, from feature trade-offs, rising prices to pressure from a volatile market.

When Apple's annual event is scheduled to take place on September 9, the center of attention will be the launch of the iPhone 17 Air.

According to Bloomberg expert Mark Gurman (famous for many reputable technology sources); this completely new version of Air will bring a design makeover, promising to create a clear difference and promote a strong upgrade cycle.

However, the road to success for this flagship product was not smooth.

iPhone 17 Air: A "fragile" gamble?

The biggest highlight of the iPhone 17 Air is said to be a design that is about 2mm thinner than current versions. It may not sound like much, but this is a significant change, enough to create a new and premium feel for long-time users.

However, this ultra-thin design comes with some significant trade-offs.

The Air is expected to have just a single camera, instead of the two cameras on the standard version and three on the Pro models. This could be a big minus for users who value photography and optical zoom capabilities.

Additionally, a thinner chassis means a smaller battery, so Apple will have to rely heavily on software optimization to ensure battery life isn’t affected.

Notably, Apple is said to be raising prices across its entire lineup. The iPhone 17 Air, which replaces the iPhone Plus ($899), could cost between $949 and $999. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max versions will also increase by about $50.

Wall Street reacts mixedly

Despite these concerns, some analysts remain optimistic. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management believes that Apple will see a solid upgrade cycle.

“About 80% of sales will come from users who are looking to upgrade,” he told Yahoo Finance.

“For them, it’s not about comparing features year over year, it’s about comparing to their four-year-old phone. They’re actually comparing an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 17, and that’s a huge leap,” he said.

Not everyone agrees, however. Wamsi Mohan of BofA Global Research says the slim design may not be as big a hit as previous styling changes. Similarly, Brandon Nispel of KeyBanc Capital Markets is skeptical, saying the Air may not be a big sales hit.

"Headwinds" from the market

In addition to the internal challenges of its products, Apple also faces pressure from the global market. Nabila Popal, research director at IDC, pointed out that smartphone sales in China - one of Apple's key markets - are expected to decline in the second half of the year.

This, combined with other factors, could hamper the iPhone 17's growth momentum.

Still, there's a big reason to believe the iPhone 17 will be a success: A huge number of people bought iPhones during the pandemic boom. In 2021, iPhone sales grew by 39%, creating an army of potential customers who are now ready to upgrade.

Will the iPhone 17 Air's groundbreaking design be enough to convince users to overlook the camera and price shortcomings? The answer will soon be revealed when the first phones are expected to hit shelves later this month.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/iphone-17-sap-ra-mat-giua-ky-vong-lon-va-loat-thu-thach-chong-gai-20250905104440034.htm