With the arrival of September comes cooler weather, and, like clockwork, Apple’s annual iPhone launch event. This year’s showcase, dubbed “awe dropping,” unveiled a host of new devices and features, including the iPhone 17 lineup, a brand-new iPhone Air, updated Apple Watches, and the AirPods Pro 3. Apple executives also previewed the upcoming iOS 26 and Liquid Glass enhancements, which will roll out to compatible devices in the coming week.
Like always, we’ve got your back. If you missed Apple’s big September event, here’s a simple summary of everything they announced:
iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 introduces several refinements to Apple’s standard smartphone line:
- Display: A 6.3-inch screen with 120Hz ProMotion and slimmer bezels for a more immersive experience.
- Durability: Enhanced with Ceramic Shield 2, offering triple the scratch resistance compared to previous models.
- Performance: Powered by the A19 chip, featuring:
- A six-core CPU
- A five-core GPU
- An upgraded neural engine for faster AI tasks
- Improved power efficiency, delivering up to 8 extra hours of battery life
- Camera System:
- Rear: 48MP Fusion ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto lens
- Front: New “Center Stage” selfie camera with a wider field of view, better stabilization, and a square sensor for high-quality landscape shots without rotating the phone
- Pricing & Availability: Starts at $799 for the 256GB model. Pre-orders begin September 12, with general availability on September 19.
iPhone Air
Apple introduced the iPhone Air, a sleek new addition to the lineup:
- Design: At just 5.6mm thick, it’s the thinnest iPhone ever, crafted from spacecraft-grade titanium and protected on both sides by Ceramic Shield 2.
- Display: A 6.5-inch always-on screen with ProMotion and up to 3,000 nits of brightness.
- Performance:
- A19 Pro chip with advanced neural accelerators
- N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- C1X modem, twice as fast as its predecessor
- Camera:
- Rear: 48MP Fusion + 12MP telephoto lens (integrated into a single module)
- Front: Center Stage camera with landscape support and enhanced stabilization
- Battery: “All-day” battery life supported by Adaptive Power Mode, which learns user habits to optimize energy use. Compatible with new ultra-slim MagSafe battery packs.
- Pricing & Availability: Starts at $999 for the 256GB model. Pre-orders open September 12, with full release on September 19.
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro series received a major redesign:
- Build: First-ever anodized aluminum unibody in an iPhone, allowing for a larger battery and improved durability.
- Thermal System: A new vapor chamber efficiently dissipates heat, supporting high performance under load.
- Display:
- Pro: 6.3 inches
- Pro Max: 6.9 inches
- Rear glass replaced with Ceramic Shield 2
- Camera Array:
- Rear: Mounted on a raised “plateau,” includes:
- 48MP telephoto lens (up to 8x optical-quality zoom)
- 48MP wide and ultra-wide sensors
- Front: 18MP Center Stage camera
- Rear: Mounted on a raised “plateau,” includes:
- Battery: Largest ever in an iPhone, with up to 39 hours of video playback on the Pro Max.
- Pricing & Availability: Starts at $1,099 for the 256GB model. Pre-orders begin September 12, available September 19.
AirPods Pro 3
After three years, Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3, packed with new features:
- Design: Similar to the previous generation but with new biometric sensors for heart rate monitoring.
- Audio Enhancements:
- Improved spatial audio
- 4x better active noise cancellation
- New foam-infused eartips for comfort and seal
- Live Translation: Powered by Apple Intelligence, users can activate translation with a gesture. Spoken foreign languages are translated in real-time on your iPhone screen.
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours on a single charge.
- Pricing & Availability: Available now for $249, with wide release on September 19.
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 & SE
Apple refreshed its smartwatch lineup with three new models:
Apple Watch Series 11
- Design: Thinnest and most durable Apple Watch yet
- Connectivity: First Apple Watch to support 5G
- Health Features: Enhanced heart rate monitor and algorithms for high blood pressure detection
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours on a single charge
- Price: Starts at $399
Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Display: Larger and brighter with LTPO 3 technology
- Connectivity: Satellite support and Emergency SOS
- Price: Starts at $799
Apple Watch SE (2025)
- Features:
- New always-on display
- Optional 5G
- S10 chip
- Gesture support (double tap, wrist flick)
- Sleep apnea notifications and Sleep Score
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours, now with fast charging
- Price: Starts at $249
All watches are available for pre-order now and will be released on September 19.
