Apple iPhone 17 event recap: iPhone Air preorders, Apple Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3, more

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

Apple pulled back the curtain on its latest product lineup during its "Awe Dropping" keynote in Cupertino this week. The hour-long event revealed a host of new products, including the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. 

ZDNET was on-site to cover the announcements, and we've compiled a summary of the biggest news from the event. We'll continue to provide updates as we get them.

What major products were announced?

iPhone 17 series: Apple kicked things off with the standard iPhone 17 for $799, which now features a 120Hz ProMotion display, an enhanced front-facing camera for flexible recording, and an A19 chipset. 

The showstealer, however, was arguably the new $999 iPhone Air model, Apple's thinnest and lightest phone to date. According to Apple, it runs on a more powerful A19 Pro chip, has only one camera sensor due to its limited size, and is durably built. 

Also: iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: How to choose

The Pro and Pro Max models -- which start at $1,099 and $1,199, respectively -- also got a redesigned back cover, with a larger camera visor that houses an enhanced telephoto sensor. A new vapor chamber cooling system keeps the phones running at peak performance for longer, while prolonging the battery life.

Apple Watch Series 11: Apple highlighted how the $399 Apple Watch is an essential piece of personal health and safety technology by sharing real-world, life-saving testimonials. The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11 will be the thinnest and most comfortable watch yet, featuring 5G connectivity, new watch faces, and an extremely scratch-resistant ceramic design.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a brighter, wider-angle OLED display with thinner bezels, allowing for a larger screen. It will be the first Apple Watch to offer satellite connectivity for emergency messaging and location syncing, along with 5G support. The Ultra 3 is also rated for the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, lasting up to 42 hours on a single charge.

Also: Excited about Apple Watch 11's hypertension feature? It's coming to older models too

Apple Watch SE 3: The third-generation $249 Apple Watch SE runs on an S10 chip and now includes a new always-on display. This model also introduces fast charging for the first time, giving users up to eight hours of battery life with just a 15-minute charge. It maintains an 18-hour overall battery life and is compatible with iOS 26, which unlocks advanced features. 

AirPods Pro 3: The event began with the launch of the $249 AirPods Pro 3, which feature a multi-port acoustic architecture for improved sound quality on both music and calls. 

The new earbuds have twice the active noise cancellation of previous models and a battery life of up to eight hours with ANC on, a four-hour increase. They will also support Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence and come with new ear tips in five sizes for a better fit.

Also: You can preorder Apple's new devices this week: iPhone 17, Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3 and more

For more on-site coverage of Apple's iPhone 17 event, check out our sibling sites' live blogs at CNET, PCMag, Mashable, and Lifehacker.

Best iPhone 17 preorder deals right now

Here are the best deals we've found so far, from carrier offers to retailer promotions.

The latest updates

iOS 26, WatchOS 26, MacOS 26, and more coming very soon

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 12 at 12:50 p.m. ET

The wait is almost over for Apple to launch this year's lineup of new software. After announcing them at WWDC in June, Apple has set this Monday (Sept. 15) as the release date for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, MacOS 26, TVOS 26, and more.

It is then that you'll be able to update your existing devices (as long as they're compatible) to the latest software and try new features like Liquid Glass, call screening, default app selections, and more.

Apple's Hypertension Detection receives FDA clearance

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor at Sept. 12, 7:53 a.m. ET

Apple unveiled Hypertension Detection at its Tuesday event, where it announced that the feature would receive FDA clearance by the end of the month. Well, the FDA clearance came sooner than expected. The Apple Watch feature received clearance Thursday night, and users can expect to see the feature arrive on their smartwatches starting next week. 

Hypertension Detection is available on Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Ultra 2 or later. It skips the SE smartwatch model. 

This is the third health feature Apple has received FDA clearance for, with the others including hearing loss detection and sleep apnea detection. It now has more FDA-cleared features than Samsung and Google. 

Are you ready to preorder the iPhone 17?

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 12 at 7:00 a.m. ET

Preorders for the new iPhone 17 series start today at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET on Apple's website and at partnering carriers and retailers. Are you placing an early order? If so, which model and what configuration?

• iPhone 17: Starts at $799
• iPhone Air: Starts at $999
• iPhone 17 Pro: Starts at $1,099
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199

Early iPhone 17 Pro Max camera samples show promise

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 4:55 p.m. ET

ZDNET got a chance to test out the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max cameras while at Apple Park this week, and early samples are looking good so far.

My colleague Jason Hiner captured the image above with the new 48MP telephoto sensor at 8x optical zoom. For how bright the Cupertino office can be, there's surprisingly no harsh glare or overexposed areas.

The first Apple-approved iPhone Air bend test results are in...

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 4:42 p.m. ET

and...it survived!

In a recent interview with Apple's senior leadership, Tom's Guide editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer was permitted to forcefully bend the iPhone Air. The device, reinforced with a titanium band similar to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, showed a slight flex but quickly returned to its original shape.

The new design keeps the phone lightweight and sturdy. While the iPhone Air appears to have avoided a "bendgate" repeat, its true durability will be seen when it's in consumers' hands.

iPhone 17 cases are starting to arrive on doorsteps

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET

If you preordered cases and accessories for your new iPhone 17 -- and you happen to reside near a local distribution center -- there's a high chance they'll be delivered as early as today.

My colleague Jason Hiner received his order of TechWoven cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max just this morning!

The iPhone's new Dual Capture mode is perfect for concerts

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 7:19 p.m. ET

One of the best new camera features on the iPhone 17 series lets you capture with the rear and front cameras simultaneously. It's a vlogging feature I've seen on competing Android phones, and I can see a lot of people using it when recording live performances and concerts. After all, the reactions to those moments are just as valuable as what's in front of the camera.

Check out Jason Hiner's test footage below.

AirPods Pro 3 will ship without a charging cable

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 2:40 p.m. ET

According to Apple's technical specs page for the new AirPods Pro 3, the wireless earbuds will ship without a charging cable in the box. This means users will have to use an existing USB-C cable or wireless charging dock to power the accessories.

At this point in time, are we more forgiving of these omissions? I personally stash away most of my new USB-C cables, as one or two are enough to power my primary devices. But if you're upgrading from the original AirPods Pro, expect to have to buy a charger to go with it.

The carrier deals are starting to appear, and they're aggressive

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 1:29 p.m. ET

Ahead of Friday's preorder window, I'm seeing several carrier promotions starting to surface, including this latest one from Verizon. It slashes off $1,100 -- equal to the cost of an iPhone 17 Pro at retail price -- when you trade in an eligible smartphone and are on an Unlimited data plan.

This is par for the course when it comes to carrier deals, as AT&T and T-Mobile are running similar packages. As always, you should read the fine print when accepting carrier deals, as the smallest of errors can accrue fees and other expenses.

Meet the $2,000 iPhone

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 11:05 a.m. ET

We officially live in a world where you can buy an iPhone from the Apple store for $2,000. The configuration is an iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of internal storage. That's not including Apple Care and any accessories.

The first iPhone Pro price hike since 2017

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 9:42 a.m. ET

We've been speculating all year whether or not Apple would increase the prices of iPhones, and it did! But also, not really.

The $999 iPhone Air has replaced the $899 iPhone 16 Plus, but I wouldn't consider the Air a direct successor to the latter -- it's a totally different concept of a phone, with an innovation tax to go with.

The $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro costs $100 more than its predecessor but now comes with 256GB of base storage instead of 128GB. Apple has essentially removed the 128GB configuration this year. That's all.

How the iPhone 17 compares to Samsung models

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 6:46 a.m. ET

If you're split between the latest iPhones and competing Android models, we've covered the biggest differences below. More stories to come!

Apple Watch SE 3 is the underdog of the smartwatch lineup

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor at Sept. 9, 9:34 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the underdog that few expected Apple to announce at its annual hardware launch. It doesn't have the advanced hardware that its siblings boast - Apple includes the S10 chip it developed for 2024's Series 10 smartwatch lineup. 

It lacks some of the hotter features the Apple Watch Series 11 or Apple Watch Ultra 3 pack, like Hypertension Detection or Satellite Connectivity. But it's shaping up to be a good value for smartwatch curious consumers. I look forward to testing the watch out to find out for myself. 

The biggest features you'll gain from upgrading your iPhone

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET

Every year, when a new iPhone launches, I get asked, "Should I upgrade from my current phone?" And every year, I answer by asking if the latest features make a dramatic difference to how they use their phone.

Here are the biggest new features you'll get by upgrading to the iPhone 17 series compared to previous generations.

• From iPhone 16 series: A better selfie camera that can auto-frame the subject, a 120Hz display on the base model, improved thermal cooling (Pro only), and a sharper telephoto lens (Pro only).
• From iPhone 15 series: A Camera Control button, slimmer bezels and larger displays, faster USB-C charging speeds, and all the above.
• From iPhone 14 series: An Action button, USB-C charging, an aluminum-forward design (Pro only), and all the above.
• From iPhone 13 series: A Dynamic Island punch-hole camera, eSIM support, and all the above.

iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange is up there for best color

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 3:42 p.m. ET

The hands-on photos I've seen so far of the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange are giving me immense FOMO. It's so refreshing to see Apple branch out of the standard black, white, and grayish hues and be more experimental. But as always, if consumers want more of this, they'll have to vote with their wallets.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 4:31 p.m. ET

While I am not an orange person and own not one ounce of orange in my wardrobe or accessories, the Cosmic Orange color is absolutely stunning. As we discussed in the office, the hands-on footage makes it evident that the color is much less of a traffic cone orange and more of a copper-like shade.

The first iPhone Air selfie with Tim Cook

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Apple CEO Tim Cook is on the floor and taking photos with members of the press. Clearly, the ultraportability of the iPhone Air makes it quite easy to lift up and take group selfies.

That's all, folks

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:16 p.m. ET

That's a wrap for the Apple launch livestream and event. Now, our ZDNET crew on the ground is heading to the devices to get hands-on footage and insights. We will continue to update this live blog as those photos, videos, and articles come in; plus, stay tuned for our event day analysis.

iPhone pricing and preorder info

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:15 p.m. ET

Here are the iPhone 17 starting prices, all of which come with a base storage of 256GB now:

• iPhone 17: $799
• iPhone Air: $999
• iPhone 17 Pro: $1,099
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199

You can preorder starting this Friday, Sept. 12, at 5:00 am PT, and all phones will be available for sale starting on Friday, Sept. 19.

We'll be testing Sleep Scores

By Nina Raemont, Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:09 p.m. ET

I've been wishing for sleep scores on the Apple Watch for a long time, and I look forward to testing out the feature on the Series 11. The feature brings a common health tracking feature to Apple's latest lineup of devices, and keeps the tech giant in competition with its wearable rivals that have already implemented the feature into their devices.

A surprising camera downgrade

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 2:07 p.m. ET

All three iPhone 17 Pro cameras are now 48MP and Fusion cameras, meaning they have multiple effective lengths. So the zoom camera is now 4x with an 8x "optical-quality" zoom. That means Apple has actually downgraded the optical zoom from 5x to 4x. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I'll withhold judgement until I try it.

That said, Apple noted it used the iPhone 17 Pro to film the launch event, due to its advanced video capabilities. The iPhone 17 Pro supports the highly anticipated ProRes RAW capture and Genlock.

iPhone 17 Pro, in just 3 colors

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Finally, the iPhone 17 Pro is here. This time, it's made with aluminum instead of titanium for a lighter yet more durable build. The phone features "the biggest battery in an iPhone," Apple says, runs on the same A19 Pro chip as the iPhone Air, and features an improved thermal cooling system that spreads throughout the phone body.

Water is sealed within the vapor chamber to dissipate heat and sustain performance (a 40% improvement from the iPhone 16 Pro). In other words, the iPhone will run at peak levels for longer while retaining more battery life over time.

On the front, a new anti-reflective coating should improve the screen's viewing angles, especially when outdoors. All three cameras are 48MP fusion sensors, meaning they can flex between various zoom ranges. The telephoto sensor, in particular, can capture at 8X optical quality, thanks in part to the tetraprism design.

iPhone 17 Pro models will also feature the same Center Stage Front Camera as the iPhone 17. The anodized aluminum appears to be a unibody design, with curves that blend into every little corner of the iPhone. On the back is a Ceramic Shield layering that's more durable than previous generations. 

The iPhone 17 Pro will launch in only three colors: Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue. 

Apple used Ceramic Shield on the back of the 17 Pro, just like the Air. It's 4x more resistant to cracks while being thinner overall, offering more room for the battery, which is the best (and biggest) in any iPhone.

The return of the bumper case

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:57 p.m. ET

I always loved the bumper cases on the iPhones -- minimal, light, and great protection -- and I was seriously bummed when Apple stopped making them. No third-party case maker ever picked up the gauntlet, which was a shame. Those bumper cases also allowed the back of the phone to show through and display Apple's design. I'm thrilled that Apple is bringing back the bumper case for the iPhone Air -- perfect choice! Let's see if they bring it to the Pro models as well.

iPhone Air and eSIM

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:54 p.m. ET

Apple is making a big deal about the iPhone Air's support for eSIM. In fact, it'll be the first iPhone to launch with eSIM only globally. Previously, only the US versions launched with eSIM, while other countries' iPhones supported physical SIM cards. By reducing the components within the phone, Apple says it was able to squeeze in a larger battery.

Apple's decision to make the iPhone Air eSIM-only is partly logistical -- there's simply not enough room in the device to fit in a traditional SIM card next to the battery.

iPhone Air's fusion camera and battery life

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:51 p.m. ET

iPhone Air has a 48MP fusion camera system that is meant to function like multiple cameras in one, including a 12MP 2X telephoto. Some other camera features include focus control, photographic styles, and custom 28MM and 52MM lenses, which add four lenses to your camera. The front features the aforementioned center stage camera at 12MP.

The battery life on the iPhone Air, supported by iOS 26 features and a thoughtful under-the-hood design, supports all-day battery life, according to Apple. This includes 40 hours of video playback when using the Air's specially designed MagSafe battery pack. 

Another new chip for iPhone Air

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:48 p.m. ET

The iPhone Air will feature a new N1 chip, Apple's in-house silicon that supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. This comes just six months after Apple released the C1 modem with the iPhone 16e. The iPhone Air will also feature an upgraded C1X variant, which the company says is much more power efficient, but just as strong in network connectivity.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:48 p.m. ET

Integrating Apple's N1 and C1X chips into the iPhone Air and calling it the most efficient iPhone ever definitely gives this product the feeling of being the futuristic iPhone, reminiscent of the iPhone X back in 2017.

iPhone Air is here

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:45 p.m. ET

The announcement of the iPhone Air got, by far, the biggest reaction out of the crowd inside Steve Jobs Theater for the Apple Event. There's genuine enthusiasm for this product. The crowd especially hollered -- and there were even some audible gasps -- when the video came up with the iPhone Air balancing on top of a finger. I'm not sure people are going to be as excited when they learn the camera and battery life compromises, but the design itself generated plenty of strong reactions.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:45 p.m. ET

Sabrina Ortiz, sitting next to me, cannot get over how thin the iPhone Air is -- 5.6mm and with a 6.5" always-on display -- and I'm expecting many consumers to feel similarly. For the first time, the phone is covered with ceramic for improved durability, making it up to five times more resistant. Impressively, the camera module is sculpted into the back cover, so it melts into the rest of the glass, reducing the size and bulk of the device. It's "a paradox you have to hold to believe," says Apple.

The frame is made out of titanium for a thin design. These materials make the iPhone Air more durable than any other model. The iPhone Air features the just-announced A19 Pro chip.

Apple said the phone contains "MacBook Pro-levels of compute" and that it's "the most power efficient iPhone we've ever made."

A brief AI mention

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:38 p.m. ET

Apple using AI and Center Stage to automatically frame your selfies got a huge reaction from the live audience inside the Steve Theater. There are clearly a lot of creators in this crowd. 

This is the first big AI feature Apple announced at the event. It's more like machine learning and not generative AI, but it's good to see Apple integrating quality-of-life features in smart ways.

Two new chips: A19 and A19 Pro

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:46 p.m. ET

The iPhone 17 will run on an A19 chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, 5-core GPU, and improved on-device computing. The improvements to how the iPhone computes lend themselves to more gaming workloads, faster on-device AI tasks, and more. A more efficient processor also extends the iPhone 17 battery by 8 hours of video playback.

Apple says the next-gen 5-core GPU is designed to support better gaming, especially paired with the display's upgraded 120Hz refresh rate.

Then there's the new A19 Pro chip, which features a 6-core CPU. Apple claims it is the fastest CPU in any iPhone. It is supposed to enable battery efficiency for more everyday tasks. The 5-core GPU also got a performance boost, which makes it best for AI compute. There is a neural accelerator built into each GPU core, ideal for GPU-intensive AI workloads.

The A19 Pro generates heat, Apple admits -- requiring an all-new cooling system to account for it.

iPhone 17 gets an upgraded selfie cam

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:42 p.m. ET

The iPhone 17 will feature a 48MP main camera (that captures at 24MP binned, by default). It's still a 2x optical zoom -- nothing more -- but I've always found the base iPhone camera good enough for zoom shots. 

Apple has also upgraded the selfie camera, calling it the "Center Stage Front Camera," with a wider field of view and a larger sensor than last year. Capturing a wider area allows users to reframe their shots, such as swapping from landscape and portrait mode without needing to rotate the phone. Allowing you to hold the phone vertically keeps your eyes more naturally focused on the lens.

By  Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:38 p.m. ET

Apple using AI and Center Stage to automatically frame your selfies got a huge reaction from the live audience inside the Steve Theater. There are clearly a lot of creators in this crowd. This is the first big AI feature Apple announced at the event. It's more like machine learning and not generative AI, but it's good to see Apple integrating quality-of-life features in smart ways.

iPhone 17 finally gets 120Hz

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:40 p.m. ET

The introduction of a 120Hz ProMotion display in the iPhone 17 got a big reaction from the live audience inside Steve Jobs Theater. This has been long overdue. Far cheaper competitive phones have featured 90Hz and 120Hz screens for years while the standard iPhone has been stuck on 60Hz, which was just not as nice to look at every day. The 120Hz screen makes the base-level iPhone 17 a lot more competitive.

iPhone 17 has landed

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:37 p.m. ET

Apple Launches its iPhone 17 in five colors: Lavender, Mist Blue, Black, White, and Sage. The new phone features:

• A 6.3" display with thinner borders
• 120 Hz refresh rate (a major deal, for the first time ever)
• 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness, the highest ever on the base model
• Ceramic Shield 2, gives it three times more scratch resistance
• Seven-layer anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and distractions
• A19 chipset, which should help on-device generative and large language models (LLMs) run faster

Apple said that if you are upgrading from an older iPhone, you should see incredible speeds. The company also recapped iOS 26 upgrades, including Live Translation and Visual Intelligence upgrades.

Apple Watch pricing

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor /Sept. 9 at 1:36 p.m. ET

Apple wraps up its Apple Watch announcements:

• Apple Watch SE 3 $249
• Apple Watch Series 11 $399
• Apple Watch Ultra 3 $799

You can pre-order all versions of the watch starting today, and they'll be available on Sept. 19.

Hello, Apple Watch Ultra 3

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:35 p.m. ET

It's Apple Watch Ultra 3 time. This year, the wearable features a new display that uses a wide-angle OLED and LTPO 3, making it brighter to view. Apple says the bezels are thinner, too, allowing the watch to have a larger screen within the same body as last year.

Like the Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 supports 5G connectivity. But it goes a step further by using satellites for emergency messages, pings. and Find My syncing. The Watch Ultra 3 can last up to 42 hours, the longest rating of any Apple Watch.

ZDNET Editor in Chief Jason Hiner says he's "been wearing Apple Watch Ultra every day for the past two years, and I'll definitely be upgrading to Apple Watch Ultra 3 for the bigger screen, the stronger 5G and satellite connectivity, and the black color."

New colors for Apple Watch 11

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:33 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch Series 11 can last up to 24 hours, comes in Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Space Gray, and is made with 100% aluminum. We're seeing some classic watch bands available, including Nike and Hermes-branded accessories.

The lineup has a host of updated watch bands, including some from popular brands like Nike, and a Hermes band with a unique branded animated wallpaper.

Third-gen Apple Watch SE

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:32 p.m. ET

Apple launched its third-generation Apple Watch SE. It features the S10 chip that supports a new always-on display. You can play music directly through the speaker. 

The Apple Watch SE also features an 18-hour battery life and fast charging for the first time -- in 15 minutes of fast charging, users can get up to eight hours of normal use. It is compatible with iOS 26, which opens it up to advanced features on par with the rest of the lineup too.

New Sleep Scores for Apple Watch

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET

Apple Watch Series 11 now has Sleep Scores, which analyzes how you sleep using complex algorithms. You can see a detailed analysis of how the score was concluded.

Apple Watch gets a hypertension tracker

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:24 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch Series 11 uses the optical blood sensor to track and review data over a 30-day period to find signs of hypertension. Apple says it's expecting FDA clearance "soon."

New health and design features for Apple Watch 11

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:20 p.m. ET

Apple highlights how the Apple Watch offers life-saving features, ahead of unveiling its new smartwatch lineup.

The company's marketing for the Apple Watch is powerfully effective, moving beyond technical specs to share real-world testimonials of how the device has literally transformed lives. This approach transforms the watch from a gadget into an essential piece of personal health and safety technology.

The Apple Watch Series 11 will be the first of the wearable line to support 5G connectivity. It also features several new watch faces, including Flow (based on Liquid Glass, the design aesthetic used across iOS 26) and "Exactograph," a unique design that separates hours, minutes, and seconds.

The new release is Apple's thinnest and most comfortable watch yet, with a custom ceramic design coating applied at the atomic level that's twice as scratch-resistant.

AirPods Pro 3 get heart rate sensing - but skips temp tracking

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief and Nina Raemont, Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:17 p.m. ET

Apple is adding heart rate sensing to the AirPods Pro 3, which was already in the Powerbeats Pro 2.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 did not get the rumored temperature tracking, which is a bummer since temperature can be taken very accurately from the ear. The wrist temperature tracking on Apple Watch is not easy to access and can be inaccurate. Adding temperature to AirPods Pro 3 would have given Apple's health ecosystem a better opportunity to compete with smart rings like Oura on this metric, so it's a missed opportunity.

Live translation in AirPods Pro 3