Apple’s annual fall keynote, branded this year as the “Awe Dropping” event, just wrapped up. The company unveiled a wide range of new products including the iPhone 17 family, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, fresh Apple Watch models, and upgraded AirPods Pro. Here’s a breakdown of what Apple fans can expect when pre-orders open later this week.
The iPhone Air: Apple’s Lightest and Thinnest Yet
The biggest design shift came with the iPhone Air, Apple’s slimmest iPhone to date. Despite its thin frame, it carries a 3,149 mAh battery—with the option of a new $99 MagSafe battery pack that extends life from 27 to 40 hours.
Notable features include:
- 18MP front camera with Center Stage and a square sensor.
- C1X 5G modem, though still no mmWave support.
- USB-C charging, but capped at older USB 2 speeds.
- eSIM-only version in China through China Unicom.
Apple is also leaning into accessories, offering clear cases, bumpers, and even a crossbody strap to pair with the iPhone Air.
iPhone 17 and 17 Pro: Bigger Screens, More Power
The standard iPhone 17 now ships with a 6.3-inch display and, for the first time, all models across the lineup feature ProMotion refresh rates. Apple is also rolling out new Qi2.2 wireless charging at 25W, though its new MagSafe battery won’t work with these models.
Under the hood:
- Powered by the A19 chip (A19 Pro for higher-end models).
- Custom N1 chip enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
- Faster USB-C charging thanks to Apple’s new “Dynamic” adapter.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max got some notable changes:
- Dropped titanium in favor of a new design.
- Storage starts at 256GB, with Pro Max offering up to 2TB.
- Pro-only feature: a hardware switch to reduce PWM screen flicker.
- Battery life has improved dramatically—over 6 extra hours compared to the iPhone 16 series.
RAM across the lineup varies:
- iPhone 17: 8GB
- iPhone Air: 12GB
- iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max: 12GB
AirPods Pro 3: Smarter Sound
The new AirPods Pro 3 come with better active noise cancellation and a surprising health-focused feature—a built-in heart rate monitor. They go up for pre-order alongside the iPhones and new Apple Watches.
Apple Watch Updates: Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3
Apple’s wearables got several key updates:
- Apple Watch Series 11: Adds hypertension detection, a new sleep score system, and for the first time, a meaningful battery bump to 24 hours. Interestingly, all models run on the S10 chip, with no new processor this year.
- Apple Watch SE 3: Now features an always-on display and faster charging, making it a stronger entry-level option.
- Apple Watch Ultra 3: Apple’s most rugged watch gets its largest display yet, plus 5G and satellite connectivity, pushing it further into “adventure gear” territory.
Software Rollout: iOS 26 and More
On the software side, Apple announced release dates for its next-generation platforms:
- iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 arrive September 15.
- macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 follow shortly after.
A standout feature in iOS 26: the ability to match your home screen icons to your iPhone case color, a small but very Apple-like touch.
Availability and Pre-Orders
- Pre-orders for the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and Pro Max open on Friday, September 12, at 5 a.m. PT.
- Devices hit stores on Friday, September 19.
- AirPods Pro 3 and the new Apple Watches are available for pre-order now.