Apple’s iPhone 17 Event Sparks GTA 6 Speculation
Key Points
- Apple unveiled iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3.
- Megan Nash highlighted the iPhone 17’s 48‑megapixel Dual Fusion camera with 2× crop capability.
- A Miami‑style backdrop during the demo sparked GTA 6 speculation on Reddit.
- Rockstar Games delayed GTA 6 release to May 26, 2026; no comment from Apple or Rockstar.
- iPhone 17 will use an A19 chip with a five‑core GPU; Pro models feature six‑core A19 Pro GPUs.
- Apple claims A19 Pro performance rivals MacBook Pro levels for GPU‑intensive tasks.
- GTA 6 rumored price of $100 exceeds typical $70‑$80 game pricing.
- Pre‑orders for the new iPhone lineup start at 5 a.m. PT on Friday, September 12.
Apple unveiled its next‑generation iPhone lineup, including the ultrathin iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, at its annual event. A camera demonstration featuring a Miami‑style backdrop led fans to wonder if Apple was hinting at a partnership with Rockstar Games for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. While Apple and Rockstar declined comment, analysts noted the new A19 and A19 Pro chips could potentially handle a future iOS version of the game, though performance remains uncertain. The event also introduced new AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and pre‑order details for the iPhone 17 series.
Apple’s Major Product Reveal
Apple held its flagship annual iPhone event on Tuesday, showcasing a slate of new hardware. The lineup includes the ultrathin iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Product manager Megan Nash highlighted the iPhone 17’s 48‑megapixel Dual Fusion camera, which can capture full‑resolution images or produce 2×‑cropped 24‑megapixel shots.
GTA 6 Rumors Ignite
During the camera showcase, a backdrop resembling a Miami street scene was displayed. The visual cue prompted a surge of discussion on the GTA subreddit, where users opened a thread titled “Did Apple just tease GTA VI on iPhone?” Participants noted that the fictional Vice City in Grand Theft Auto is modeled after Miami, and that GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, a parody of Florida that includes a Vice City‑style location.
CNET reached out to both Apple and Rockstar Games for comment, but neither company responded at the time of reporting.
Release Timing and Compatibility Concerns
A Rockstar Games announcement in May indicated that GTA 6’s launch, originally slated for the current year, has been delayed to May 26, 2026. The delay raises questions about whether an iOS version of the game could appear on Apple’s new devices.
The iPhone 17 will be powered by an A19 chip with a five‑core GPU, which Apple says improves gaming performance. However, analysts suggest that running a high‑fidelity title like GTA 6 may still require modifications. The iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, and Pro Max are equipped with A19 Pro chips featuring a six‑core GPU (the Pro and Pro Max models). Apple described the A19 Pro’s capabilities as comparable to “MacBook Pro levels of compute … perfect for GPU‑intensive AI workloads,” hinting at the potential to handle demanding games.
Market Expectations and Pricing
GTA 6 is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated games for the current console generation. Speculation has surfaced that the game could be priced at $100, higher than the typical $70 price point for most titles. By comparison, Nintendo has begun releasing new Switch 2 games at $80.
Pre‑order Details
Apple announced that pre‑orders for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air will begin at 5 a.m. PT on Friday, September 12.