I Got a First Look at Apple's New Products—here's What's Coming Later This Month
From the thinnest iPhone yet to AirPods that can track your heart rate, here’s what Apple announced at its big reveal.
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You can count on Apple when it comes to innovation, which is why journalists and press flock to Apple Park every year to hear what’s coming next. On Tuesday, September 9, I had the honor of checking out the new devices Apple announced—and the lineup includes an impressive, all-new iPhone 17, upgrades to all of its smart watches, and a new generation of the AirPods Pro. Apple even revealed several accessories that, I'll admit, I'm excited about.
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s latest devices, which are available starting September 19.
Not only is the iPhone 17 the most affordable iPhone to consider this year, but it also seems like a reliable option since it houses the same A19 chip you’ll find across the iPhone lineup. It's constructed with Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 on the front for extra durability, and it features a bright Super Retina XDR display that’s intended to create less reflection, per Apple.
You'll also have access to some of Apple’s latest camera features, including Center Stage, which enables you to more easily zoom and rotate photos for the best selfie shots (without rotating your actual phone).
The iPhone 17 also features dual capture video to record both you and your surroundings simultaneously, as well as increased stability when video recording. Plus, thanks to Apple's 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, you likely capture stunning photos.
Just note that if you require more than 512 gigabytes of storage, you’ll have to upgrade to another iPhone with more capacity.
Colors available: Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black
Pricing: The iPhone 17 starts at $799.
The highly anticipated arrival of the iPhone Air is now official. It's joining the lineup as the thinnest iPhone yet, per Apple—and its lightweight, 5.6-millimeter design is striking (and a delight to hold).
What's best is that Apple didn’t sacrifice durability, screen size, or performance to create such a lightweight device; it's constructed with a titanium frame and a ceramic shield to help make it more resistant to cracks and scratches. Plus, this sleek iPhone features a stunning 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display and houses Apple’s A19 Pro chip for peak performance.
You’re able to get up to 1 terabyte of storage with this phone, per Apple. That's more than the iPhone 17, which has storage reaching 512 gigabytes. However, the battery life of the iPhone Air is slightly lower with up to 27 hours of playback (versus 39 hours). To extend battery when traveling or on the go, Apple created a MagSafe battery pack accessory.
Colors available: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black
Pricing: The iPhone Air starts at $999.
You may have already seen photos of the iPhone 17 Pro in a blazing, rich Cosmic Orange color that stood out at this year’s Apple event. In addition to its striking finish, the iPhone 17 Pro received a significant redesign, starting with its durable aluminum unibody and battery life that can reach up to 39 hours.
This latest iPhone also features a vapor chamber which disperses heat away from the A19 Pro chip to help improve performance further, per Apple. The phone is constructed with Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 for enhanced scratch resistance, and the bright display features improved anti-reflectivity, according to the brand.
The 48MP Fusion rear cameras enable the longest zoom on an iPhone, so you can take close-up shots even when you’re far away. Additionally, you can get up to 2 terabytes of storage with the Pro Max to store all your photos, videos, and files.
Colors available: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
Pricing: The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099.
The Series 11 launched with a number of upgrades, from its thinner design to its glass display that Apple claims to be two times more scratch-resistant than the Series 10. And Apple didn’t stop there.
The Series 11 now supports 5G for speedier cellular service. Battery life has also improved and is now up to 24 hours, so you can get more from your watch without needing to recharge—and with just 15 minutes of charging, you can get up to 8 hours of battery life, per Apple.
Along with several new watch faces, Apple also announced the launch of two notable health features: hypertension notifications and sleep score. Should your watch recognize hypertension patterns over a 30-day period, it will now notify you so you can set up a blood pressure log. Those who routinely sleep with their Apple Watch on will now also benefit from a new Sleep Score to help you better understand your overall sleep quality.
Colors available: Rose Gold aluminum, Silver aluminum, Jet Black aluminum, Space Gray aluminum, Natural titanium, Gold titanium, Slate titanium.
Pricing: The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399.
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This latest generation of the Apple Watch Ultra continues to feature Apple’s brightest and largest display, and it comes with a few exciting upgrades—notably, built-in satellite communications. This means that even if you’re off the grid and have lost cellular service, you can send a message or your location to loved ones (or contact emergency services), as long as you’re able to connect to a satellite.
Battery life is now up to 42 hours, and its updated design should guarantee better cellular coverage. The Ultra also continues to house a precision dual-frequency GPS and advanced metrics, making it a top choice for sports enthusiasts. You can choose among four bands: Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean Band and Titanium Milanese Loop.
Colors available: Natural, Black
Pricing: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799.
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The Apple Watch SE received some of its biggest updates in recent years, making it a more competitive option against the Apple Watch Series 11. This upgrade features the same S10 chip you’ll find in the Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
In addition to up to 18 hours of battery life and faster charging, it now features an always-on display as well as wrist temperature sensing, which can be used for retrospective ovulation estimates, per Apple. It’s also more durable than previous generations, making it a reliable, affordable choice for kids.
Another bonus: You’ll have access to Sleep Score like you would on the Series 11, and gestures such as double-tap and wrist flick.
Colors available: Midnight, Starlight
Pricing: The Apple Watch SE starts at $249.
Apple AirPods are a favorite at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their spectacular audio quality and seamless integration with iPhones, and you can now look forward to an even better listening experience with the AirPods Pro 3.
Featuring improved noise cancellation and a better battery life, per Apple, these wireless earbuds can now track your heart rate and calories burned, as well as conduct live translations. They’re also rated IP57, meaning they’re more sweat resistant than previous generations.
The design has even been reworked to offer a more secure, comfortable fit in your ears, thanks to five all-new ear tips. Also, battery life has been improved, so you’ll now get up to 8 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation (ANC) on a single charge.
Pricing: The AirPods Pro 3 start at $249.
Every year, Apple comes out with new accessories—but this new crossbody strap deserves applause. Not only is it available in several shades to match Apple’s cases, but its woven design is as sleek as it is functional. Plus, the strap length can be adjusted with magnetic stainless steel mechanisms for the perfect hands-free fit.
Pricing: The Apple Crossbody Strap accessory starts at $59 and is available in a variety of shades.
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