What to expect from Google and Apple's upcoming events

Apple and Google are lining up big phone launches for 2025. Apple is expected to unveil its thinnest iPhone yet, while Google prepares a Pixel lineup that leans harder on on-device AI. 

Apple’s fall showcase is reportedly set for Tuesday, September 9, according to TechCrunch. The company is expected to roll out the iPhone 17 family alongside updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. Rumors point to larger screens and camera upgrades across the board, plus a new ultra-thin model, the iPhone Air, that could replace the Plus.

The standard iPhone 17 is said to move closer to the Pro tier with a 6.3-inch display (up 0.2 inches from iPhone 16) and a 120Hz panel. A 24-megapixel front camera is rumored, along with new purple and green colors.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will have new back design and higher price

Pro models see the biggest rear change with a full-width three-camera bar, with the flash, light sensor, and mic at the far right, and the logo centered over MagSafe. The 17 Pro may swap titanium for aluminum to cut weight and cost, while the Pro Max could be slightly thicker to fit a larger battery.

Pricing rumours put iPhone 17 at about $800, iPhone 17 Pro near $1,050, and iPhone 17 Pro Max around $1,250. New Pro colors could include dark blue and copper. One trade-off js that the Pro line may drop the 128GB tier, leaving 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB as the three options.

The most talked-about addition is a super-thin model that may replace the Plus. The iPhone Air is rumored at 5.5 mm thick, about 0.08 inches thinner than current iPhones, with a 6.6-inch screen.

That would come in slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge at 5.8 mm. The pivot to thin designs may also set up Apple’s long-rumored foldable, tipped for September 2026.

However, the size could force compromises. Early renders show just one rear camera (the Plus has two), and there may be no room for a bottom speaker, leaving audio to the earpiece at the top. Reports suggest a $950 price and black, silver, and light gold finishes.

Google’s Pixel 10 to debut “camera coach” and conversational photo editing features

Google’s event lands before Apple’s and begins at 10 a.m. PT on August 20th.

After rolling out several AI updates in May at its developer conference, Google is expected to demo more Gemini tools tied to the Pixel 10 launch. A recent YouTube promo for the new devices even appeared to poke at Apple’s stalled “Apple Intelligence” ambitions on the iPhone.

One rumored addition is “Camera Coach,” which would let Gemini analyze a scene and offer live guidance on framing and light. Another feature said to be in testing is conversational editing—users describe what to change in a photo, such as boosting brightness, removing an object, or swapping the background, and the software makes the adjustment.

Pixel 10 is expected to add a dedicated telephoto, with leaked renders, and Google’s own teaser showing a third rear camera. The whole lineup should move to the Tensor G5 chip, promising faster, more efficient performance and more on-device Gemini features than the G4.

The overall look is expected to stay close to the Pixel 9 series. Screen sizes are also expected to hold. 6.3 inches for the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, and 6.8 inches for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Pro models may focus on better photo and video output and larger batteries. Those gains could enable faster charging and help close the battery life gap with top phones from Apple and Samsung.

Charging may also move forward in another way. The Pixel 10 line is rumored to adopt Qi2 wireless charging. If that happens, the phones would work with magnetic add-ons such as wallets, mounts, and chargers. Google is also said to be preparing a “Pixelsnap” case with a centered magnetic ring.

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