Sam Altman on iPhone Air launch: ‘Upgrade I have really wanted in a while’

During Apple's much-anticipated annual event on Tuesday, the tech giant unveiled an impressive array of new devices, including the iPhone 17 series, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the latest AirPods Pro. Set to be available starting September 19, these products will reach consumers in over 50 countries, such as the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Japan, various EU nations, and the UAE. Among the voices highlighting the excitement of the launch was Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. He took to the platform X to share his enthusiasm, stating, "First new iPhone upgrade I have really wanted in a while! Looks very cool." When asked by Edwin Arbus, an OpenAI team member, whether he was referring to the new iPhone Air, Altman confirmed, saying, "Yes." The discussion continued with Yuchen Jin, co-founder and CTO of Hyperbolic Labs, suggesting that Apple should consider replacing Siri with ChatGPT’s voice assistant. Altman expressed his support, commenting, "That tbh sounds like a great idea, I am supportive." The iPhone 17 series marks what many are calling one of Apple's most significant upgrades in years, featuring a revamped design, enhanced hardware, and improved overall performance. Each model will come equipped with iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence, introducing sophisticated on-device AI capabilities that facilitate translation, image recognition, and more. Particularly noteworthy is the iPhone Air, which boasts an ultra-slim profile of just 5.6 mm and a vibrant 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. It is powered by the new A19 Pro processor and C1X modem, promising faster connectivity. Camera advancements include a 48-megapixel rear sensor and an 18-megapixel front-facing lens. Apple claims the device can deliver up to 27 hours of video playback on a single charge and can reach 50% battery capacity in just 30 minutes with fast charging. Customers can choose from four stylish finishes: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.