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iPhone 17 Models Launch Tomorrow: Here’s What To Expect
Apple unveils the iPhone 17 series tomorrow, at Apple Park. Rumors point to a new slim Air model, 24MP front cameras, and iOS 26 with Liquid Glass.
Apple will hold its much-anticipated launch event at Apple Park tomorrow, September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup — which executives have reportedly described as the “most ambitious in the product’s history”.
One of the biggest shifts is the rumored replacement of the struggling Plus variant with a new iPhone 17 Air, also referred to as the Slim model. At just 6.25mm thick, it could become Apple’s thinnest phone yet, overtaking the iPhone 6. The Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display, a single 48MP rear camera, and at least 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence. But leaks also warn of drawbacks: a smaller 2,800mAh battery and concerns about durability. Apple is reportedly allocating only 10% of production to this model.
The Pro Max may also be renamed the iPhone 17 Ultra, and could introduce three 48MP rear cameras with periscope-style Tetraprism zoom. All four models are rumored to get 24MP front-facing cameras, dual video recording, and possibly smaller Dynamic Islands thanks to new Face ID “metalens” technology.
On design, the series will reportedly bring bigger changes than recent generations. Camera bumps are expected to become horizontal and stretch across the back of the Pro models, with color-matched finishes rather than two-tone designs. Color leaks suggest new options: Light Blue and Gold for the Air, Orange for the Pro line, and a mix of familiar shades like Silver, Black, and Green across the range.
iOS 26 also debuts alongside the new phones, introducing a translucent “Liquid Glass” theme, a new Games app, spam-blocking tools, and enhanced battery insights. Analysts say it could also pave the way for Apple’s eventual smart glasses interface.
On displays, rumors indicate 120Hz refresh rates for all models, though it’s unclear if the base and Air will receive adaptive ProMotion panels. The Pro and Ultra are expected to retain 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays, while the standard iPhone 17 may grow slightly to 6.3 inches.
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Battery life could diverge sharply: reports suggest a massive 5,000mAh unit for the Pro Max — the largest ever on an iPhone — but a below-3,000mAh battery for the slim Air. Faster 35W charging and possible reverse wireless charging may come to Pro models.
Pricing rumors are mixed, but consensus points to Apple largely holding steady, with only the Pro model seeing a hike due to a new 256GB minimum storage tier.
In summary, tomorrow’s event is expected to confirm Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, its biggest battery to date, and an AI-driven OS overhaul — making the iPhone 17 series one of the company’s most closely watched launches yet.
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Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform
Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.
Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.
The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.
Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.
Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.
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Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.
“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.
Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.
