Glad iPhone launch day, everybody!
Similar to clockwork, Apple is again with one other massive September launch occasion, and there’s loads to get enthusiastic about.
The iPhone 17 collection will embody 4 fashions as soon as once more, however all indicators level to the Plus mannequin being changed by a brand-new Air. With loads of upgrades elsewhere, it seems to be set to be essentially the most vital iPhone launch occasion in years.
Nevertheless, whereas I’m excited to see what Apple has in retailer and looking out ahead to testing one out, I received’t be switching to an iPhone 17 long run. And Google’s Pixel 10 collection is a significant motive for that.
Take a look at our dwell weblog for the Apple occasion over on our sister web site Macworld.
Extremely-slim telephones don’t do it for me
The headline announcement throughout tonight’s keynote is nearly sure to be the brand new iPhone 17 Air. After three years of an similar flagship lineup, Apple has supposedly ditched the Plus in favour of a brand new, ultra-slim mannequin.
Majin Bu
In response to leaks, the 17 Air could possibly be lower than 5.6mm thick, which might make it thinner than the 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge that Samsung launched earlier this yr.
Nevertheless, from testing that telephone, a skinny and light-weight telephone actually doesn’t do it for me. Whereas extra comfy to carry, battery life and cameras have been each severely compromised on the S25 Edge, to the extent that it wasn’t definitely worth the premium price ticket.
Certainly, the iPhone 17 Air is reported to have a battery beneath 3200mAh and only one 48Mp rear digicam. With a rumoured beginning worth of £950/$950, that doesn’t appear value it in any respect.
@zellzoi
I favor Google’s strategy, which retains the equal of standard, Professional and Professional Max fashions, but replaces the Air with a book-style foldable.
Efficiency shall be higher, however not by a lot
One improve we may be nearly sure of on the iPhone 17 collection is a brand new chipset or two. Apple’s A19 collection is anticipated to debut right here, with an everyday model on the iPhone 17 and 17 Air, with the A19 Professional remaining unique to Professional and Professional Max.
Nevertheless, the last-gen A18 collection was already extra highly effective than the Tensor G5 present in Google’s Pixel 10 collection, so the brand new silicon will solely lengthen Apple’s lead. In the case of telephone efficiency, the iPhone might be nonetheless the gold customary.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The query is: does it actually matter? Pixel 10 Professional XL efficiency was nonetheless glorious all through my testing time, and I can’t consider any situation the place it could really feel underpowered.
A lot of the Pixel 10 collection’ computing energy goes into its AI options, that are leaps and bounds forward of Apple’s efforts with Apple Intelligence thus far.
I care extra about images than movies
Even earlier than the iPhone 17 collection, the iPhone’s video skills are unmatched by any Android telephone. The element and smoothness Apple can constantly ship is one thing to behold, and it seems to be like the brand new Professional telephones will be capable to seize it in 8K.
Nevertheless, I solely take movies on my smartphone often, and the Pixel 10 Professional’s ‘Night time Sight Video’ is loads ok for me, even when the microphones could possibly be higher.
What’s far more necessary to me is constantly nice images, an space the place the Pixel 10 Professional XL excels. In nearly any scenario, I can depend on it to ship the high-quality photographs I crave.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The iPhone 16 Professional I examined final yr actually isn’t far behind, however there have been sufficient duds to make me assume twice in regards to the images I used to be taking.
Apple is rumoured to improve the telephoto lens on the iPhone 17 Professional fashions to a 48Mp sensor with 8x optical zoom, so it might be prime canine for zoom pictures. However it doesn’t appear to be we’re getting any significant enhancements to the 48Mp foremost lens, so I’d slightly keep on with my Pixel.
Additionally, if you happen to care about AI digicam options, the Pixel 10 collection is the way in which to go. Finest Take, Add Me, Digital camera Coach and Tremendous Res Zoom are all value utilizing, even when they’re in no way flawless.
Android fits me a lot better than iOS
The iPhone 17 is nearly sure to debut iOS 26, the revamped model of Apple’s cellular working system. Its new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language is an enormous overhaul, combining curved buttons with numerous translucent parts, as Apple goals to make it really feel extra like interacting with the true world.
Nevertheless, loads of the iOS fundamentals that I observed when switching to the 16 Professional look set to stay, together with Apple’s irritating strategy to notifications and fast settings. It additionally works much better if you happen to use the corporate’s personal apps slightly than third-party alternate options.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
So, as somebody who primarily depends on the Google ecosystem, the Pixel 10 fits me a lot better. It additionally has a redesign within the type of Android 16’s ‘Materials 3 Expressive’, whereas conserving bloatware to a minimal and rivalling Apple for immediate updates and lengthy assist.
Finally, Pixel 10 telephones are a greater long-term match for me than the iPhone 17 collection, regardless of the numerous modifications Apple seems to be set to make. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re an present iPhone person or not one of the downsides apply to you, there’s loads to be enthusiastic about.