Apple has officially launched the highly anticipated iPhone 17 series in India, with prices starting at INR 82,900 for the base 256GB model. The new lineup includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the newly introduced ultra-slim iPhone Air. Apple has removed the 128GB storage variant, making 256GB the minimum for all models. The standard iPhone 17 features a vibrant 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 for improved durability. It comes in fresh color options like lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are powered by Apple’s latest A19 Pro chip and start at INR 1,34,900 and INR 1,49,900, respectively. These Pro models feature sleek titanium frames, significant camera upgrades including 8K video recording, and up to 6x optical zoom in the Pro Max. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air, priced from INR 1,19,900, is the slimmest and lightest iPhone ever, boasting a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and a triple-camera setup, positioning itself between the standard and Pro models.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series commence on September 12, with sales beginning on September 19, 2025. Alongside the launch, Apple has reduced prices for the previous iPhone 16 models while discontinuing the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max variants. The iPhone 17 series exemplifies Apple’s ongoing commitment to enhancing display technology, camera capabilities, and overall performance, setting a new benchmark for premium smartphones in the Indian market.

Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.

In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.

Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.

EndureAir, a deep-tech drone startup specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aerial robotics solutions, has successfully raised INR 25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital infusion will enable EndureAir to enhance its advanced drone technologies for defense applications, broaden its reach in enterprise markets, and accelerate the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir stands out in India’s indigenous UAV sector by developing both hardware and software in-house. Backed by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and holding eight patents in flight dynamics and autonomous systems, the company has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the deep-tech drone ecosystem.

EndureAir’s flagship drone platforms, including the Sabal heavy-lift UAV family inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and the Vibhram drone supporting Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky program, are deployed in critical operations. The startup also collaborates with Bharat Electronics Limited for co-developing high-altitude drones and works with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments on remote logistics missions. With this funding, EndureAir aims to position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, advancing resilient domestic drone systems for defense and enterprise applications.