The Top Hits and Biggest Misses from Apple’s iPhone 17 Event

On September 9, Apple held its annual fall event to announce the new iPhone line, plus a few other device upgrades. While Apple seemed most proud of its brand-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air, there were a few other standout features from this event. Here is everything you need to know, including the hits and misses, of Apple's iPhone 17 event.

Everything Announced at Apple's iPhone 17 Event

Apple's iPhone 17 event introduced the latest iPhone lineup, including a brand-new iPhone model: the iPhone Air. We also saw the new line of Apple Watches and the AirPods Pro 3. Let's get into all these new devices, including which ones might be worth springing for and which can be given a miss.

The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max

Availability

• Pre-order September 12
• Available September 19

Pricing

• iPhone 17 starts at $799
• iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099
• iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199

iPhone 17 Colors

• Lavender
• Sage
• Mist Blue
• White
• Black

Phone 17 Pro & Pro Max Colors

• Silver
• Cosmic Orange
• Deep Blue

The iPhone 17 is here, and Apple claims it’s the biggest leap ever for the device. Base model iPhones are getting ProMotion displays, a brand-new front-facing camera that captures a wider field of view, better performance thanks to the A19 chip, and more. The new-to-the-iPhone Center Stage feature automatically adjusts framing so you always stay in the center when using the front-facing camera, and widens the frame when more people are in the shot. The iPhone 17 Pro gets all that plus a new thermal management system to prevent overheating, improved cameras with a digital zoom up to 40x, and a battery that lasts all day. The camera upgrades are cool, but are they worth a new iPhone's price tag? Read our full analysis.

The iPhone Air

Availability

• Pre-order September 12
• Available September 19

Price

• Starts at $999 for 256 GB
• $1199 for 512 GB
• $1399 for 1 TB

Colors

• Space Black
• Cloud White
• Light Gold
• Sky Blue

Apple released its thinnest iPhone yet on September 9, the brand new iPhone Air. The iPhone Air, though just 5.6 mm thick, Apple says it's "more durable than any previous iPhone," thanks to its Ceramic 2 front and back covers and strong titanium frame.

The Air is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro Max in many key areas, including display quality, durability, and processing speed, with only slight differences in battery life and a $200 price difference. The main areas where the 17 Pro Max beats the Air are in camera systems, zoom capabilities, and video playback time.

Will Apple enthusiasts go for the sleek, innovative style of the iPhone Air, rather than the more standard iPhone 17 Pro Max? Which model should you choose? Find out which one is right for you.

Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 & Ultra 3

Availability

• Pre-order September 9
• Available September 19

Pricing

• Starts at $399 for the Apple Watch Series 11
• Starts at $249 for the Apple Watch SE 3
• Starts at $799 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3

There are three brand-new Apple Watch models, and they all have one thing in common: improved battery life. The baseline Apple Watch Series 11 is the go-to for your average Apple Watch user, and it has a few exciting new tricks up its sleeve. First, we can expect the long-awaited high blood pressure/hypertension alerts to be released this month, once the feature is approved by the FDA. The Series 11 will also come with 24 hours of battery life, which is 6 more than the Series 10 promises. It will also offer 5G if you opt for a cellular plan and has even tougher glass that is twice as scratch-resistant as in previous models.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the latest budget option, perfect as a starter watch. The SE 3 supports fast charging, giving the watch 8 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging, and a full charge will last you 18 hours. Despite being lower cost, Apple Watch SE 3 has a speaker, Always-On display, and can detect hard falls, ovulation, and sleep apnea. You’ll also be able to use hands-free gestures such as double tap and wrist flick.

The newest rugged model is the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and while it is the same size as the Ultra 2, the thinner borders allow for a larger screen, making this the largest Apple Watch display yet. Some of the most exciting updates include Find My and Messages via satellite connectivity (as long as you have a cellular plan), an easier way to navigate by seeing points of interest in your area, and more watch face options that show seconds on the screen. Finally, the Ultra 3 has 42 hours of battery life, which is 6 more than previous Ultra models. Read more about the three new Apple Watch models.

The AirPods Pro 3

Availability

• Pre-order September 9
• Available September 19

Pricing

• Starts at $249

Last—and you would expect it to be least—are the AirPods Pro 3. Apple's newest earbuds upgrade stole the show, outshining even the iPhone 17 Air with some remarkable new features. Not only are features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency improving (thanks in part to new tips), but with new sensors, AirPods Pro 3 can track your heart rate, workouts, and calories burned just like your Apple Watch can. A gesture will allow you to start a workout, and the workout will be logged in your Fitness App and count toward closing your rings. Apple has also redesigned the body to be smaller and the tips to fit more ears, so they stay in place better during a workout. Live Translation is also coming to these AirPods, letting you hear real-time translations right in your ear. Discover why we're so excited for the AirPods Pro 3.