Date: September 8, 2025 · Source: Reuters reuters.comSummary: On the eve of Apple’s fall product launch, analysts tempered expectations for any groundbreaking iPhone features, noting Apple’s rivals have leapfrogged in AI features reuters.com. However, speculation is running high about a new “iPhone Air” – an ultralight, slimmer iPhone model inspired by the MacBook Air’s ethos reuters.com. This model would mark the first significant form-factor change in years, potentially drawing in upgraders bored by incremental updates. Apple would face engineering challenges and will likely slot the iPhone Air’s price between the standard iPhone 17 and Pro lines reuters.com. Analysts say a sleek Air model could reignite consumer excitement. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen any meaningful update to the form factor… the novelty of the Air will likely induce many iPhone 14, 15 and even 16 users to migrate up,” said Dipanjan Chatterjee, a VP at Forrester Research reuters.com. Aside from the Air, Apple is expected to announce modest camera and chip upgrades for the iPhone 17 series, and possibly new Apple Watch models, as it contends with competition embedding AI smarts into devices reuters.com reuters.com.