Apple 17 Series Launch Falls Short of Expectations, Experts Say

Apple has officially launched its much-anticipated Apple 17 series, including new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods, which are set to hit store shelves and ship to homes starting September 19, 2025.

However, experts and industry observers say the launch has failed to meet expectations.

The new lineup features the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The base iPhone 17 comes with a 6.3-inch display, a 48MP main camera, a 120Hz refresh rate, and the new A19 chip, promising enhanced performance and battery life. The iPhone Air boasts a 5.6mm titanium frame, making it the slimmest iPhone in Apple’s history.

Despite these upgrades, analysts say the design changes, particularly the full-width camera bar on the Pro models and the redesigned glass back, have drawn comparisons to Android devices like Google’s Pixel 10. Critics have described the design as “unoriginal” and “ugly,” expressing disappointment over Apple’s departure from its traditional design language.

While the iPhone 17 series introduces improvements in display, camera technology, and processing power, experts argue that these are incremental rather than revolutionary.

Areas such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality received minimal upgrades, leaving Apple behind competitors like Google in key technological advancements.

Market reactions have mirrored these criticisms. Apple’s stock fell by 1.5% following the launch, closing at $234.35, though it saw a slight recovery to $237.31 the next day.

Analysts have cautioned about the company’s innovation trajectory and its ability to maintain a competitive edge without more substantial advancements.

The Apple 17 series is expected to generate strong sales due to brand loyalty, but the company faces increasing pressure to deliver transformative features that set it apart from rivals.