Apple held its highly anticipated "Awe Dropping" event on September 9, 2025, unveiling a comprehensive lineup of new products that represent significant technological advances across multiple product categories. The event introduced four new iPhone models, three Apple Watch variants, and the next-generation AirPods Pro 3, marking one of Apple's most expansive product launches in recent years.
Revolutionary iPhone 17 series brings major upgrades
iPhone 17 standard model sets new benchmarks
The iPhone 17 features several groundbreaking improvements, headlined by the innovative Center Stage front camera that revolutionizes selfie photography. This advanced camera system uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate the frame for optimal composition. The device sports a 48MP Fusion Main camera with optical-quality 2x Telephoto capabilities and a new 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera that captures both expansive scenes and detailed macro photography.
The display has been significantly enhanced with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display featuring ProMotion technology, delivering supersmooth scrolling, immersive gaming experiences, and improved efficiency. The new Ceramic Shield 2 front cover provides 3x better scratch resistance compared to the previous generation while reducing glare.
Powered by the latest A19 chip, the iPhone 17 now starts with 256GB of storage—double the entry storage from the previous generation—and offers a 512GB option. The device will be available in five colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.
iPhone 17 Pro models deliver professional capabilities
The Pro models represent Apple's most powerful and advanced smartphones to date, featuring a striking new design powered by the A19 Pro chip. These models incorporate an Apple-designed vapor chamber that is laser-welded into a strong, light, and thermally conductive aluminum unibody, delivering exceptional performance and significantly improved battery life.
The camera system includes three 48MP Fusion cameras—Main, Ultra Wide, and an all-new Telephoto—offering the equivalent of eight lenses with the longest optical-quality zoom ever on iPhone at 8x. The innovative 18MP Center Stage front camera brings professional-grade selfie capabilities to the Pro lineup.
For professional content creators, the Pro models introduce industry-first video features including ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock capabilities, enabling seamless integration into both large and small-scale productions. Both Pro models feature Ceramic Shield 2 protection on both the front and back for the first time.
Ultra-slim iPhone Air makes its debut
The long-rumored iPhone Air was officially unveiled as part of the lineup, representing Apple's thinnest iPhone design to date at just 5.6mm thick. The device features a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, a 48-megapixel dual camera, and a selfie camera that supports Center Stage, positioning it as a sleek, lightweight option within the iPhone 17 family.
Apple Watch lineup receives comprehensive refresh
The event showcased three new Apple Watch models: the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 3. These represent comprehensive updates to Apple's wearable lineup with enhanced health tracking capabilities and improved performance across the board.
New health features across the lineup
Apple introduced several new health-tracking features, including hypertension notifications that use data from the watches' existing optical heart sensor to analyze how blood vessels respond to heartbeats. The system will notify users if it detects signs of high blood pressure after reviewing data over a 30-day period.
AirPods Pro 3 introduces advanced health monitoring
Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3 with advanced health monitoring capabilities, including heart rate sensing functionality. The company claims these feature the "world's best ANC" (Active Noise Cancellation), representing a significant expansion of the AirPods' capabilities beyond audio to include biometric monitoring features.
Enhanced security and connectivity features
Memory integrity enforcement
The iPhone 17 family includes what Apple calls Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), described as "the most significant upgrade to memory safety in the history of consumer operating systems." This security feature specifically targets the spyware industry and tools like Pegasus that are used to hack targeted devices.
New networking capabilities
Inside Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is a new chip: the N1. It's a wireless networking chip made in-house by Apple, supporting the latest networking technologies, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and the smart home protocol Thread. Apple says the N1 chip will help boost the performance and reliability of features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
Software updates and availability
The new devices will ship with iOS 26, featuring Apple's new Liquid Glass design language that adds a glassy sheen and translucency to many parts of the operating system. iOS 26, along with iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and watchOS 26, will be available as free updates on September 15th.
Pricing and availability
Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series begin September 12, with general availability starting September 19. The devices will be available in 22 additional countries and regions beginning September 26. The iPhone Air starts at \$999, while the top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of storage costs \$1,999.
Environmental initiatives
Apple continues its commitment to environmental responsibility, with the iPhone Air containing 80 percent recycled titanium—more than any of its predecessors. The phone as a whole is made with 35 percent recycled material by weight, compared to 30 percent recycled material for the standard iPhone 17.
Frequently asked questions
When can I pre-order the new iPhone 17 models?
Pre-orders begin on September 12, 2025, with devices shipping starting September 19.
What's the main difference between the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air?
The iPhone Air is significantly thinner at 5.6mm and features a different camera configuration, while the standard iPhone 17 offers more traditional proportions with enhanced camera capabilities.
Do I need to upgrade my Apple Watch to get the new health features?
Some features like hypertension notifications and the wrist flick gesture will be available on Apple Watch Series 9 and newer models through the watchOS 26 update.
What's new about the camera system in the iPhone 17 Pro?
The Pro models feature three 48MP cameras offering the equivalent of eight lenses with 8x optical zoom—the longest ever on an iPhone. They also include professional video features like ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2.
Will older iPhones get iOS 26?
Yes, iOS 26 will be available as a free update on September 15th for compatible iPhone models, bringing the new Liquid Glass design language to supported devices.
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Apple announces September 9 event
All you need to know about the iPhone 17 lineup