Apple held its biggest hardware event of the year on September 9, unveiling four new iPhones, updated Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3. The “Awe Dropping” event introduced the ultra-thin iPhone Air alongside refreshed versions of the iPhone 17 lineup.
Here’s everything Apple announced and what these new devices bring to the table.
iPhone Air: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Ever
Apple officially unveiled the iPhone Air, measuring just 5.6mm thick at its thinnest point. This makes it the thinnest iPhone ever made, over 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro and even surpassing the original iPhone 6’s 6.9mm thickness.
The iPhone Air features a 6.5-inch display and uses computational photography with a single camera system that can act like multiple lenses. One standout feature allows simultaneous front and rear camera recording, useful for content creators who want to capture reactions alongside their main footage.
The device comes in four colors: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue. Storage options go up to 1TB, with pricing starting at $999 for the base model. The 1TB configuration costs $1,400.
Apple built the Air with a recycled titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 material on the front, which the company claims is 3x more scratch resistant than previous versions.
iPhone 17: Major Display and Performance Upgrades
The standard iPhone 17 received significant upgrades, most notably a larger 6.3-inch screen compared to the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch display. Apple added 120Hz ProMotion technology to the base model for the first time, bringing smooth scrolling and responsive touch input previously reserved for Pro models.
The camera system includes a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and Center Stage front camera. Apple claims eight additional hours of battery life and faster charging capabilities compared to the previous generation.
The iPhone 17 comes in five colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage. Pricing starts at $799, matching the iPhone 16’s launch price.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: New Design and Enhanced Cooling
The Pro models feature a redesigned camera system with three rear cameras arranged in a rectangular bar that extends across the device. Apple introduced new colors including cosmic orange for the Pro lineup.
Both Pro models include improved thermal management with a new vapor chamber cooling system. The iPhone 17 Pro features a 6.3-inch display while the Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen.
All cameras across the Pro models are now 48-megapixel sensors, including improvements to optical zoom capabilities. The devices include the A19 Pro chip and enhanced video recording features.
Apple Watch Series 11: Health Focus and 5G
The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 and introduces hypertension detection that can alert users to elevated blood pressure trends over time. While not a medical diagnostic tool, Apple is seeking FDA clearance for broader health applications.
New features include a sleep score system that analyzes sleep duration, consistency, and recovery patterns to provide daily sleep quality ratings. The watch includes 5G connectivity for the first time on a standard Apple Watch model.
The display is more scratch-resistant than previous generations, and the device ships with watchOS 26.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: 5G and Satellite Features
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs $799 and includes 5G connectivity using MediaTek’s 5G RedCap chips designed specifically for wearables. This provides improved speeds over the LTE connections in previous models.
The Ultra 3 features satellite connectivity, faster charging speeds, and a larger display compared to the Ultra 2. The device maintains the same rugged design with enhanced durability for outdoor activities.
AirPods Pro 3: Third Generation Arrives
Apple announced the AirPods Pro 3 at $249, three years after the previous Pro generation. The company highlighted enhanced Active Noise Cancellation as a key feature.
Specific details about new capabilities remain limited, but the earbuds will be available starting September 19 alongside the other announced devices.
Availability and Pricing
All announced devices will be available for pre-order starting Friday, September 12, with general availability beginning Friday, September 19. The rollout covers more than 63 countries including the United States, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
A second wave of availability begins September 26 in 22 additional countries and regions.
The Bottom Line
Apple’s September event delivered the expected annual iPhone refresh with the addition of an ultra-thin Air model replacing the Plus variant. The iPhone 17 brings 120Hz displays to the base model while the Air targets users who prioritize design over camera capabilities.
The Apple Watch updates focus on health monitoring and connectivity improvements, while AirPods Pro 3 represents the first Pro update in three years. These are incremental improvements rather than revolutionary changes to Apple’s product lineup.
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