iPhone 17 Air and other new phones to expect this September

After a busy August that saw Google, Vivo, Xiaomi, and others launch new devices, this month promises a packed lineup for smartphone buyers. Most of the September launches—Realme 15T, TECNO POVA Slim 5G, and Oppo F31—sit in the mid-range segment, balancing performance, battery life, and AI-powered cameras without hitting flagship prices. 

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE and some Oppo Pro models borrow premium touches like AMOLED displays and multi-camera setups while keeping prices accessible. At the high end, Apple’s iPhone 17 and the Gaia AI Phone stand apart with cutting-edge chips, advanced cameras, and specialised features. 

Across the board, battery life, usability, and software innovation are defining the new devices, making September an interesting month for both practical users and tech enthusiasts.

Read Also: August phone launches: More flagship chips under $500 

TL,DR

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Launch Date: September 4, 2025 | Processor: Exynos 2400 | Display: 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED | Camera: 50MP Main, 8MP Telephoto (3x zoom), 12MP Ultrawide, 12MP Selfie | Storage: 8GB RAM/128-512GB | Battery and Charging: 4900 mAh, 45W wired + 15W wireless + reverse wireless | Expected price: $649

× Click to signup

Samsung is gearing up to add a new Fan Edition phone to its lineup, with the Galaxy S25 FE expected to debut on September 4 alongside the Tab S11 series. The phone looks set to follow the familiar FE formula: a flagship-like design and features at a more accessible price point. 

Early teasers confirm a triple-camera setup, a large AMOLED display with fast refresh rates, and a battery sized for all-day use. Sales are tipped to begin mid-month in India, with availability expanding globally shortly after.

Apple iPhone 17 Series

Launch Date: September 9, 2025 | Processor: A19 Bionic, A19 Pro | Display: 6.1-6.9″ OLED, ProMotion OLED | Camera: 48MP Main, + Telephoto + Ultrawide + 12, 24 Selfie | Storage: 8-12GB RAM/128GB- 1TB | Battery and Charging: 3800-5000mAh, 35W | Expected price: $799-$1,299

Apple is headlining September with the debut of the iPhone 17 lineup: the standard iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air (replacing the Plus), and the Pro/Pro Max models. The Air pushes Apple’s design limits within a 5.5mm frame, while the Pro models lean into performance and photography. 

All four devices will run on the new A19 chips, launch with iOS 26’s AI-driven features, and bring refinements in cameras, displays, and battery efficiency. Apple is billing the event as “Awe Dropping,” setting it up as one of its biggest yearly refreshes.

TECNO POVA Slim 5G 

Launch Date: September 2, 2025 | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6400 | Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED | Camera: 50MP Triple Main, 11MP, 13MP Selfie | Storage: 12GB RAM/128-256GB | Battery and Charging: 5160mAh, 45W | Expected price: $195 / ₦300,000

TECNO is kicking off September with the POVA Slim 5G, set to launch on the 4th. Teased as possibly the world’s slimmest 5G phone, it’s aimed at users who want performance in a sleek form factor rather than a bulky gaming build. With a focus on design and everyday power, 

TECNO is positioning the device squarely in the mid-range 5G market, where style and usability are becoming just as important as raw specs.

Oppo F31 Series

Launch Date: Mid-September 2025 | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300, 7300 | Display: AMOLED | Camera: Unconfirmed | Storage: 12GB RAM/128GB | Battery and Charging: 7000mAh, 80W | Expected price: Unconfirmed

Just six months after debuting the F29, Oppo is rolling out its F31 lineup — skipping the “F30” altogether. The new series leans less on flashy upgrades and more on durability and battery life, shipping with 7,000mAh batteries across all models and IP68/IP69 protection under the tagline “Next Level Durability.” Three versions are expected: the F31, F31 Pro, and F31 Pro+. 

Oppo hasn’t reinvented the cameras or design here, but the Pro+ is tipped to feature Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 power, while the other two stick with MediaTek chipsets. With flat displays, 80W fast charging, and a stronger build, the F31 is all about stamina and resilience rather than radical hardware shifts.

Gaia AI Phone

Launch Date: September 2, 2025 | AI Engine: Gaia AI Stack  | Display: Based on Galaxy S25 Edge hardware | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6400 | Camera: Unconfirmed | Expected price: $1,399; limited release of 1,000 units | Extras: EdenLayer (AI gaming), Roam (global eSIM), Umy (Web3 travel)

AIfrastructure startup GaiaNet is entering the smartphone market with its first Gaia AI Phone, a device built around decentralised AI rather than traditional cloud-based models. Unlike standard SaaS services, users become stakeholders in a distributed network, earning token rewards while contributing to AI processing. 

The phone launches with integrations from Web3 partners like EdenLayer and Roam. The first release is limited to 1,000 units, priced at $1,399, with shipping slated for late 2025. Gaia will showcase the phone’s AI performance at Korea Blockchain Week in September, positioning the launch as part of a larger push for decentralized AI tools rolling out through the rest of the year.

Realme 15T 5G

Launch Date: September 2, 2025 | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max | Display: 6.57-inch AMOLED | Camera: 50MP Main + 2MP depth, 50MP Selfie | Storage: 8-12GB RAM/128-256GB | Battery and Charging: 7000mAh, 60W, 10W reverse wired | Expected price: $239 

Realme 15T 5G – Realme launched the 15T 5G yesterday, running Android 15 with Realme UI 6 and promising three years of OS updates and four years of security patches. Building on the 14T, it adds AI-powered camera tools, a large battery, and fast charging. 

Pre-orders on the Realme website include free Buds T01 earbuds. Sales start September 5.

Get the latest tech and startup news from our WhatsApp Channel.