This week, Apple unveiled its highly anticipated product lineup during an exhilarating keynote event held in Cupertino, California. The hour-long presentation showcased a range of innovative devices, including the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. ZDNET was present at the event to capture all the significant announcements, and we have compiled a comprehensive summary of the key takeaways. Stay tuned for further updates as they emerge.
The event kicked off with an impressive display of new products, starting with the iPhone 17 series. The standard model is priced at $799 and boasts a 120Hz ProMotion display, an enhanced front-facing camera that allows for versatile recording, and the powerful new A19 chipset. However, the spotlight was arguably stolen by the new $999 iPhone Air, recognized as Apple's thinnest and lightest phone to date. It is powered by the robust A19 Pro chip and features a single camera sensor, designed for durability and efficiency.
In addition, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, starting at $1,099 and $1,199 respectively, received notable upgrades. These models include a redesigned back cover featuring a larger camera visor that accommodates an improved telephoto sensor. A new vapor chamber cooling system enhances performance and extends battery life, ensuring that the devices operate smoothly even under demanding conditions.
Apple emphasized the importance of health technology with the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 11, priced at $399. This model is touted as the thinnest and most comfortable Apple Watch yet, equipped with 5G connectivity, new watch faces, and a highly scratch-resistant ceramic design. Apple showcased compelling testimonials highlighting how the watch has played a crucial role in health and safety.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3, priced at $799, features a brighter, wider OLED display with thinner bezels for an expansive screen experience. This model is significant as it introduces satellite connectivity for emergency messaging and location syncing, alongside 5G support. The Ultra 3 boasts the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, lasting up to 42 hours on a single charge.
Starting at $249, the new AirPods Pro 3 were also unveiled, featuring a multi-port acoustic architecture that significantly improves sound quality during music playback and calls. These earbuds offer double the active noise cancellation of previous models, providing up to eight hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. The AirPods Pro 3 will also support Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence and come with new ear tips available in five sizes for an improved fit.
In a significant advancement, Apple announced that its Hypertension Detection feature received FDA clearance, set to roll out to users on compatible Apple Watch models starting next week. This feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 or later. With this clearance, Apple has now surpassed competitors like Samsung and Google in the number of FDA-cleared health features.
Preorders for the iPhone 17 series commenced today at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET on Apple’s website as well as through partnering carriers and retailers. The pricing breakdown for the new models is as follows:
iPhone 17: Starts at $799 iPhone Air: Starts at $999 iPhone 17 Pro: Starts at $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199For more extensive coverage of Apple's iPhone 17 event, check out our sibling sites' live blogs at CNET, PCMag, Mashable, and Lifehacker. We will continue to provide updates and insights into these exciting new products.
