We’re officially in the home stretch before Apple’s September 9 keynote. This year, the Cupertino giant isn’t holding back with its slogan, “Awe Dropping.” The message is clear: Apple is gearing up to dazzle us.
According to the latest leaks, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could finally address some long-standing issues. In particular, two pain points that frustrate users everywhere: screens that become unreadable in direct sunlight, and battery life that struggles under heavy use.
A screen finally readable under blazing sunlight
According to leaker Instant Digital, who has a solid track record with Apple, the iPhone 17 Pro’s screen will see a significant boost in brightness. No more squinting to read messages on a sunny terrace or hunting for shade to check your GPS in the car.
The refresh rate would stay in the high range we’re used to, but Apple is said to have worked on a new cooling system. The idea? To prevent the phone from heating up like a radiator when running demanding games or filming 4K video in 35°C (95°F) heat.
In practice, this would mean less throttling during intense gaming sessions and 4K videos at 60fps that no longer turn your iPhone into a heater. A significant improvement for anyone who truly pushes their smartphone to the extremes.
A battery that could finally change the game
But the real game changer could be battery life. If the rumors are true, the iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature a battery over 5000 mAh, a first for Apple, which has long relied on relatively modest batteries compensated by software optimization.
The new approach combines high capacity with advanced component optimization, aiming for iPhones that can sustain full-day performance even under heavy use. This could be a major boost for users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
iOS 26 and the "Liquid Glass" Interface
On the software side, iOS 26 would introduce a new interface called “Liquid Glass.” It’s hard to know exactly what it will look like without seeing it, but the name suggests a sleek, polished visual style.
The camera module design would also be updated, giving a refresh to a look that’s starting to feel a bit dated. Apple seems determined to cover all bases this year: performance, battery life, design, and user experience.
See you on September 9
Of course, all of this remains in the realm of rumor until the keynote on Tuesday, September 9 at 1:00 PM. But if Apple delivers on its promises, we could be looking at one of the most significant iPhone updates in years.
Also on the agenda: the iPhone 17 Air, new Apple Watches, and the AirPods Pro 3—enough to keep tech conversations buzzing for weeks.
In the meantime, one thing is certain: if these improvements in battery life and screen performance are confirmed, Apple will have finally listened to what users really want. And that’s already a big step.
