Apple’s “Awe Dropping” Event: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and the iPhone 17 Lineup
Apple kicked off with the AirPods Pro 3, and while the design looked familiar, the upgrades made a big impact. The biggest head-turner was Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, which lets you have real-time translated conversations through your earbuds. Add to that heart rate sensing during workouts and a new Workout Buddy mode, and AirPods are slowly creeping into fitness territory.
Durability also got a boost with IP57 water and sweat resistance, while battery life now stretches up to 8 hours with noise cancellation and 10 hours for hearing aid users.
Apple Watch Series 11: Health First, Style Second
The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 bringing meaningful updates that put health tracking front and center. It can now review blood pressure data over 30 days and notify you if it spots patterns of hypertension. A bedtime reminder system flags possible sleep apnea, while the new Sleep Score gives you a daily rating of your rest quality.
Apple wrapped these features inside a slimmer body with IonX glass that is 2x more scratch resistant than Series 10, a 24-hour battery life, and a built-in 5G modem with redesigned antenna architecture that uses less power for cellular. The Series 11 comes in jet black, silver, rose gold, and the new space gray, but Apple also added polished cases made from 100 % recycled titanium in natural, gold, and slate for a premium touch.
The Series 11 also debuts ExactoGraph, a modern interpretation of a traditional regulator clock that separates the hours, minutes, and seconds into their own spaces. It gives the Watch a clean, precise look while making it easier to read time at a glance.
Apple Watch SE 3: Affordable but Capable
The Apple Watch SE 3 that runs in Watch OS 26 comes in at $249, but it is far from stripped down. Powered by the new S10 chip, it finally gets an always-on display, which means you can read the time and glance at your watch face without waking the screen. Apple also added gesture controls like double tap and wrist flick, making it easier to interact with notifications or media when your other hand is busy.
On the health side, the SE 3 now supports wrist temperature sensing with sleep apnea notifications and a Sleep Score to track rest quality. It already has key safety tools like fall detection, crash detection, and heart rate notifications, so it continues to cover the essentials. And if you do not have AirPods handy, the watch can play music or podcasts directly through its speaker, which makes it surprisingly useful in a pinch.
Battery life is rated at 18 hours, and fast charging gives you 8 hours of use in just 15 minutes, so it keeps up even with long days.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Rugged and Ready
The Ultra 3 remains Apple’s adventure watch, but this year it is even more capable. Its largest display ever uses wide-angle OLED and LTPO3, and the battery stretches to 42 hours (or 72 in low-power mode). With satellite SOS and messaging included free for two years, the Ultra 3 doubles as a lifeline in emergencies. Apple also built it with recycled titanium and gave it 5G cellular support, making it the most durable and independent Watch yet.
iPhone 17: The Everyday Flagship
Apple opened the lineup with the regular iPhone 17 with price starts at $799, the model that most people will probably buy. The 6.3-inch ProMotion display finally matches the Pro models with a 120Hz refresh rate, scaling down to 1Hz for always-on mode. Brightness hits an impressive 3000 nits, making it much easier to use outdoors. Durability got a serious upgrade too, with Ceramic Shield 2 that’s three times more scratch resistant.
Under the hood, the A19 chip improves efficiency and powers Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation. Battery life is up by eight hours compared to last year, and charging is quicker with 50 percent in just 20 minutes. The dual 48MP camera system delivers sharper shots with better low-light performance, while the 24MP front camera adds Center Stage and a clever rotating frame that always keeps your face level.
| iPhone 17 Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch ProMotion, 120Hz, 3000 nits |
| Durability | Ceramic Shield 2, 3× scratch resistance |
| Performance | A19 chip with faster Neural Engine |
| Cameras | Dual 48MP Fusion + 24MP Center Stage front |
iPhone 17 Air: The Slim Icon
Next came the surprise, the iPhone 17 Air. At only 5.6mm, it’s the thinnest iPhone ever, but Apple didn’t sacrifice durability thanks to spacecraft-grade titanium and Ceramic Shield protection on both sides. Despite its size, it runs on the A19 Pro chip, giving it the same raw power as the Pro models. Networking got an upgrade too, with the N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The new C1X wireless chip has been introduced making it the most power efficient modem in an iPhone.
The 6.5-inch display shares the same 3000 nits peak brightness as the Pro models, and the camera system is where things get really interesting. The 48MP Fusion main sensor supports dual capture video, a new feature that records two video streams simultaneously: one optimized for high detail and dynamic range, and another tuned for brighter, more vivid colors. This makes your videos flexible for both professional editing and social sharing.
On the front, the Center Stage camera has been upgraded to perfectly frame everyone in the shot, regardless of orientation. That means you don’t have to rotate your phone when switching between portrait and landscape angles, or when moving around during video calls. Dolby Vision video support extends to both front and back cameras, making recording professional-quality video effortless. Also take note: there’s no SIM tray here, it’s eSIM only.
Together with the new low profile MagSafe battery the battery life holds strong at up to 42 hours of video playback, and Apple is pushing a fresh line of accessories including translucent cases, a lightweight bumper and a cross body strap.
| iPhone 17 Air Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | Thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6mm with spacecraft-grade titanium frame |
| Chip | A19 Pro chip with 40% faster sustained performance |
| Networking | N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and C1X wireless modem |
| eSIM | No SIM tray, eSIM only |
| Display | 6.5-inch display with 3000 nits peak brightness |
| Camera | Triple 48MP Fusion cameras with 8× zoom at 200mm; Dolby Vision video |
| Video Feature | Dual capture video for simultaneous high-detail and vivid-color recording |
| Front Camera | Upgraded Center Stage camera perfectly frames everyone in either orientation |
| Sensor | 26% larger main sensor for better low-light shots |
| Battery | Up to 42 hours video playback, the longest ever on an iPhone; supports slim MagSafe battery pack |
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: The Power and Camera Beasts
For those who need serious performance, Apple built the iPhone 17 Pro. Beyond the titanium and Ceramic Shield design, the real star is the new vapor chamber cooling system. By using deionized water sealed inside, the phone can sustain heavy performance loads without overheating. Paired with the A19 Pro chip, the Pro now delivers 40 percent better sustained performance than its predecessor, perfect for gaming and pro apps.
The rear camera system is a game-changer: three 48MP Fusion cameras on each model, with upgraded imaging pipelines for sharper detail, better low-light performance, and Photonic Engine enhancements. The Telephoto lens offers 4× zoom at 100mm and 8× zoom at 200mm, complete with next-gen tetraprism and 3D sensor-shift stabilization. Digital zoom goes up to 40×, making them the most versatile iPhone cameras ever.
On the front, the 18MP Center Stage camera perfectly frames everyone in any orientation, ideal for video calls and self-recording. Video features include Dolby Vision HDR, 4K120, ProRes Log, ACES support, ProRes RAW, and Genlock for multi-camera syncing.
Battery life reaches up to 39 hours on Pro and 42 hours on Pro Max, and storage options start at 256GB for both models, with the Pro Max available up to 2TB. Pricing starts at $1,099 for iPhone 17 Pro and $1,199 for iPhone 17 Pro Max, maintaining the same price tier as last year. Accessories include TechWoven, silicone, and clear cases, plus a crossbody strap.
With these upgrades, the iPhone 17 Pro series delivers the ultimate combination of power, camera versatility, professional video capabilities, and pro-level storage options, making it perfect for creators and power users alike.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 39 hours video playback | Up to 42 hours video playback |
| Main Camera Sensor | Standard 48MP Fusion sensors | Main sensor 26% larger for better low-light performance |
| Storage Options | 256GB base | 256GB base, up to 2TB |
| Price | $1,099 starting price | $1,199 starting price |
| Body Size | Standard size | Slightly larger body to accommodate bigger battery |
All four models run on iOS 26 with the new Liquid Glass UI, which blends smoother animations with updated customization and deeper Apple Intelligence integration.
Pre-orders open September 12 with shipping starting September 19.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event made it clear that the company is pushing three pillars: AI, health, and design. The iPhone 17 lineup covers every type of user, from those who just want the basics to those who demand the best, with the iPhone Air standing out as Apple’s boldest design move in years. AirPods Pro 3 quietly became one of the most versatile gadgets in Apple’s lineup, blurring the line between audio, health, and accessibility. And the Apple Watch family now offers something for everyone, from casual users to fitness enthusiasts to hardcore adventurers.
It wasn’t about flashy gimmicks, it was about building smarter, healthier, and more versatile devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max may be the powerhouse, but the iPhone Air is the one likely to start conversations. And the AirPods Pro 3? They might just be the sleeper hit of this event.
At the end of the day, the only thing truly “Awe Dropping” might be the prices, but hey, at least Apple didn’t announce an “iPhone 17 Ultra Max Deluxe Plus.” Maybe they’re saving that one for next year.
See you in the next article.
