iPhone 17, iPhone Air & AirPods Pro 3: Apple Event Recap

Apple Unveils iPhone 17 and Future Hardware Plans

Today marked a significant event for Apple, as the company unveiled its latest hardware innovations. The presentation centered around the release of the iPhone 17 series, accompanied by enhancements to the Apple Watch and AirPods.

iPhone 17: Key Updates

The iPhone 17 models boast several key improvements. These include expanded display sizes and a notably refined camera system.

A new addition to the lineup is the iPhone Air, an exceptionally slim device designed to supersede the previous Plus model.

Looking Ahead: Apple's Upcoming Releases

Apple’s innovation doesn’t stop with the iPhone 17. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a wave of new hardware is anticipated in the near future.

This forthcoming hardware includes a redesigned iPad Pro, an upgraded Vision Pro, and refreshed AirTags.

Further additions expected are a new generation of Apple TV, a revised HomePod mini, and updated MacBook models.

These new products are projected to become available either in 2025 or during the first six months of 2026.

• iPhone 17: Larger screens and improved camera.
• iPhone Air: Ultra-thin design, replacing the Plus model.
• iPad Pro: New model anticipated.
• Vision Pro: Updated version on the horizon.
• AirTags: Refresh expected.
• Apple TV: New generation planned.
• HomePod mini: Revised model in development.
• MacBooks: Updates are forthcoming.

iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max

A redesign has been implemented for the iPhone 17, bringing its features more in line with the Pro series. The device boasts a slightly expanded 6.3-inch screen, representing a 0.2-inch increase over the iPhone 16.

A significant improvement has also been made to the display, now featuring a 120 Hz refresh rate, a considerable leap from the previous 60 Hz standard.

Furthermore, the iPhone 17 incorporates a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera for enhanced photography capabilities.

New color options are available, including lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage.

Pro Model Design Changes

The upgrades to the Pro models are primarily focused on the rear design. The arrangement of the three rear cameras has been altered to a rectangular configuration.

This new camera bar spans the entire width of the device, with the flash, light sensor, and microphone located on the far right side.

For aesthetic purposes, the Apple logo is now centered in the area previously occupied by the MagSafe charger.

A notable change for the iPhone 17 Pro is the material used for the band surrounding the screen, which has been switched from titanium to aluminum.

Pricing and Availability

The iPhone 17 is priced starting at $799 and comes with a base storage capacity of 256GB. This represents an increase from the iPhone 16’s starting price of $699 for 128GB.

The Pro model will cost $1,099, while the Pro Max is priced at $1,199.

Accessories and Omissions

Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also unveiled new phone cases. These “TechWoven” cases utilize a more refined woven material compared to the previously released “FineWoven” cases from 2023.

Interestingly, no announcements were made regarding an AI-powered Siri during the keynote presentation.

This omission places Apple behind competitors like Google in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence assistants.

iPhone Air

A significant unveiling at the recent event was the introduction of the iPhone Air, Apple’s most slender phone to date.

This new model is positioned as a replacement for the iPhone Plus within Apple’s product lineup.

Design and Display

The iPhone Air boasts an incredibly thin profile, measuring just 5.6 mm in thickness.

This represents a reduction of approximately 0.08 inches compared to the dimensions of existing iPhone models.

The device incorporates a 6.6-inch screen, enhanced by a 120 Hz ProMotion display for smoother visuals.

Connectivity and Design Choices

Notably, the iPhone Air operates exclusively with eSIM technology.

This design choice contributes to the device’s remarkably streamlined aesthetic.

Market Positioning and Future Implications

Apple’s introduction of the iPhone Air appears to be a direct response to the growing consumer preference for thinner smartphones.

This trend has already been embraced by competitors such as Samsung and Huawei.

The iPhone Air, at 5.6 mm, has the potential to be even slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 5.8 mm thick.

Furthermore, this development could signal Apple’s preparations for a future foldable phone, currently anticipated for release in September 2026.

Pricing and Availability

The iPhone Air will be offered at a price point of $999.

Customers will be able to choose from a selection of colors, including black, white, sky blue, and light gold.

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

Following a two-year development period, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This new iteration boasts enhancements including accelerated charging, 5G network compatibility, and satellite communication functionality.

A notably larger display is also incorporated into the Ultra 3’s design.

Key Upgrades for Series 11 and Ultra 3

Perhaps the most significant advancement shared by both the Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11 is the integration of blood pressure monitoring. This system proactively alerts wearers to potentially problematic high or low blood pressure readings.

Apple Watch SE 3 Enhancements

The Apple Watch SE 3, the third generation of the entry-level model, received more modest improvements. It now includes an always-on display.

This functionality is enabled by the inclusion of a more powerful S10 chip.

Pricing and Availability

The new watches are priced as follows: the Apple Watch SE 3 is available for $249.

The Series 11 model retails at $399, while the premium Ultra 3 is priced at $799.

AirPods Pro 3

An update to the AirPods Pro 2, which debuted in 2022, has been anticipated for some time. The forthcoming AirPods Pro 3 will be available for $249 and boasts a more compact earbud design.

Improvements to the audio quality are also included, alongside the introduction of a novel heart-rate-sensing capability.

Key Features

A significant addition to the AirPods Pro 3 is real-time translation functionality. This technology, driven by Apple Intelligence, will enable users to translate spoken languages as they are being spoken.

This feature facilitates seamless communication across language barriers.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect the latest information.