Apple has lifted the curtain on its highly anticipated hardware lineup, headlined by the launch of the iPhone 17 series, the groundbreaking iPhone Air, new Apple Watch models, and the third-generation AirPods Pro. The event, held on Friday, showcased Apple’s latest push to redefine smartphone design and expand its ecosystem of connected devices.

iPhone 17 Series: Bigger Screens, New Design, and Camera Upgrades

The iPhone 17 lineup received a major refresh, featuring a 6.3-inch display—a slight increase from the iPhone 16—and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. The standard model now includes a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and comes in new colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage.

For the Pro models, Apple introduced a new rectangular camera bar across the rear of the device, a redesign that sets it apart from earlier versions. Interestingly, the iPhone 17 Pro moves away from titanium in favor of aluminum. Pricing begins at $799 for the base iPhone 17 with 256GB storage, while the Pro and Pro Max are priced at $1,099 and $1,199 respectively.

Apple also debuted new “TechWoven” cases, crafted from premium woven material, replacing the discontinued “FineWoven” line.

iPhone Air: Apple’s Slimmest Phone Yet

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the iPhone Air, Apple’s thinnest phone ever at just 5.6mm thick. Designed to replace the Plus model, the Air sports a 6.6-inch ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate and supports eSIM-only connectivity for a sleeker profile.

Priced at $999, the device will be available in black, white, sky blue, and light gold. Analysts suggest the iPhone Air could challenge Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge in the slim-phone category and may hint at Apple’s upcoming foldable device expected in 2026.

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

Wearables also took center stage, with the debut of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, featuring 5G support, satellite connectivity, and faster charging. Both the Ultra 3 and Series 11 introduce a much-anticipated blood pressure-monitoring feature, alerting users when readings are abnormal.

The Apple Watch SE 3 offers incremental improvements, most notably an always-on display powered by the new S10 chip. Pricing begins at $249 for the SE 3, $399 for the Series 11, and $799 for the Ultra 3.

AirPods Pro 3: Smarter and Health-Focused

Rounding out the announcements, Apple revealed the AirPods Pro 3, which feature smaller earbuds, enhanced audio quality, and a new heart-rate sensor. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the earbuds also introduce live translation technology, enabling real-time language translation. The AirPods Pro 3 will retail for $249.

What’s Next

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is not done yet. In the pipeline are a new iPad Pro, refreshed Vision Pro headset, updated AirTags, a new Apple TV, an upgraded HomePod mini, and next-generation MacBooks—expected between late 2025 and the first half of 2026.

With its latest event, Apple has positioned itself to not only compete in the premium smartphone market but also expand its footprint in health monitoring, wearables, and AI-powered services.

Source: Techcrunch