Finally, the most exciting month for tech enthusiasts has arrived. September has always been special in the smartphone world because it’s when Apple unveils its latest iPhones. Every year, there’s the familiar joke that it’s just “the same iPhone with a new number,” but this year feels different. With the iPhone 17 series, Apple is making meaningful changes, and I’ve managed to get a closer look at the upcoming lineup along with fresh details on Samsung, Vivo, Motorola, and Lava’s September releases.
Apple is sticking with four models this year: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a completely new entry, the iPhone 17 Air. As always, launch day is expected on the second Tuesday of September, which should fall on the 9th this time.
The regular iPhone 17 will probably get the most attention because Apple is finally giving the non-Pro model a 120Hz display. It may not be the more advanced LTPO panel we see on Pro versions, but it’s still a big jump over 60Hz. The display size could be a touch larger at 6.3 inches, powered by the new A19 Bionic chip with a dedicated cooling system to keep performance stable. The rear cameras remain unchanged, but the selfie shooter sees a bump to 24 megapixels. Battery life also gets a minor boost with a 3600mAh cell, and Apple is adding 35W wired and 25W wireless charging. Design, however, will look very familiar, so if you’re upgrading from an iPhone 16, the biggest way to show it off might be picking a new color.
The iPhone 17 Pro is where design tweaks start to stand out. The camera island has been stretched across the back, which means no more annoying wobble when you place it on a table. The back is split into two finishes—aluminum at the top where the cameras sit and glass at the bottom for MagSafe compatibility. The Apple logo shifts slightly lower too. Inside, the A19 Pro chip promises a performance leap, and Apple is finally increasing the base storage to 256GB with 12GB of RAM. The telephoto camera moves to a new 48-megapixel sensor, although it now maxes at 3.5x zoom instead of 5x, but the payoff is sharper 85mm portraits. New colors include a deep blue and a striking orange alongside the usual black, white, and gray.
The Pro Max builds on that formula with even more ambition. It’s set to feature the biggest battery ever in an iPhone, potentially crossing the 5,000mAh mark. The telephoto system jumps to an upgraded 48MP sensor with support for up to 8x optical zoom, and all cameras will finally record in 8K. Dual video capture—using front and rear cameras at the same time—is also coming, a feature Nokia fans will remember from years ago.
Perhaps the most surprising addition to the lineup is the iPhone 17 Air. Apple is retiring the Plus model and replacing it with an ultra-slim, ultra-light device that measures just 5.5mm thick. It’s the thinnest iPhone ever and comes with a 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED display. Inside, it runs the A19 Pro with a slightly reduced GPU and Apple’s new C1 5G modem. Cameras include a 48MP rear and a 24MP front. The trade-off for thinness is a much smaller 2900mAh battery, and it’s expected to be eSIM-only. In short, it’s a design-first device, targeted at people who value portability and sleekness over all-day endurance.
While Apple always dominates September, Samsung is not staying quiet. The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to arrive just days before the iPhone launch. Design changes are minimal, but under the hood it gets the new Exynos 2400 processor, a bigger battery, and faster charging. Its cameras include a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto, and a new 12MP selfie sensor. Out of the box, it runs Android 16 with One UI 8, and Samsung has committed to an impressive seven years of updates, making it one of the most future-proof budget options around.
Vivo is also doubling down this month with two launches: the T4 Pro and the V60. The T4 Pro essentially serves as a more affordable version of the V60, packing a 6.78-inch 120Hz curved AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, triple-camera setup, and a massive 6500mAh battery with 90W fast charging. The V60, which is expected later in the month, could come with a Dimensity 7400 processor and a similar battery setup, priced slightly lower than the T4 Pro.
Motorola isn’t slowing down either. The Moto G56 is arriving as a budget-friendly option under ₹15,000, powered by the Dimensity 760. It has a capable main and ultra-wide camera combo, but an IPS display might put off AMOLED lovers. For those with a taste for luxury, there’s also the Moto Razr 60 Swarovski Edition, featuring hand-placed crystals on its hinge and buttons, alongside crystal-themed Moto Buds Loop earphones.
Finally, homegrown brand Lava could also be making noise with its Agni 4 launch just before the festive season. Expected specs include a Dimensity 8350 processor, dual cameras, a massive 7,000mAh battery with 80W charging, and a sharp 1.5K AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. With pricing expected around ₹20,000, it could be a strong value option.
So, September 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months in recent memory. Apple may be stealing the spotlight with its iPhone 17 lineup—especially the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air and the Pro Max with its new zoom capabilities—but Samsung, Vivo, Motorola, and Lava all have compelling devices lined up. Whether you’re looking for premium design, long-term software support, or sheer battery endurance, this month has something for everyone.
The only real question now is: which of these launches excites you the most?
FAQ
Q1. When will the iPhone 17 series launch?
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, 2025.
Q2. What is new in the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air is the thinnest iPhone ever at 5.5mm, replacing the Plus series.
Q3. Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max support 8K video?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Pro Max cameras can record 8K video with up to 8x optical zoom.
Q4. What new phone is Samsung launching in September 2025?
Samsung is launching the Galaxy S25 FE with Exynos 2400, bigger battery, and 7 years of updates.
Q5. Which other brands are launching phones this month?
Vivo, Motorola, and Lava are also set to release new devices in September 2025.
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