Table of Contents
Highlights
- iPhone 17 lineup brings a thinner Air model, a smaller Dynamic Island, faster A19 chips, and bigger batteries.
- Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 launch together with brighter displays, health upgrades, and satellite texting.
- AirPods Pro 3, AirTag 2, and iOS 26 with the “Liquid Glass” design elevate Apple’s ecosystem with smarter, connected features.
Apple’s fall keynote events have always been fireworks, but this year’s “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, 2025, is particularly charged. Multiple product lines, including iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and potentially AirTag, are expected to receive updates, indicating a comprehensive refresh of the Apple ecosystem is on the way. Leaks from authoritative sites like MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and The Apple Post have given us an idea about what to expect.
iPhone 17 Series – The Biggest Overhaul in a Decade
After 10 years, Apple is changing its strategy around the iPhone lineup. Instead of having a “Plus” option, an iPhone 17 Air will exist alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. New Chips and Displays Reports have the iPhone 17 receiving the new A19 chip.
The Pro and Pro Max models will get the A19 Pro chip, with all sorts of improvements to speed and graphics. Apple will reportedly also prepare to improve its displays by adding greater brightness over its current displays across the lineup — a very nice addition when outside and even more so for HDR display content.
Dynamic Island Gets Smaller
One of the most significant design changes may be with the Pro models. From leaks, it would appear that the new Dynamic Island design will be ~25% smaller, reducing the cutout width from about 2 cm to 1.5 cm. While a change in size is not a complete redesign, a smaller cutout will allow for a more immersive experience and will help clean up the general aesthetics of the iPhone 17 Pro models.
iPhone 17 Air – Thin and Distinct
Replacing the Plus model for the new series, this could be where the real drama is. According to reports, iPhone 17 Air would be ultra-thin, making it the thinnest iPhone manufactured. The expected specs include a 6.6-inch OLED display with 120 Hz refresh, a hybrid frame made from titanium and aluminum, USB-C, and Wi-Fi 7. However, the ultra-thin design may come with some sacrifices. Reports seem to suggest that the Air will have a smaller battery and will only have a single 48MP rear camera.
This will likely position the Air as a device geared specifically towards users looking for a lifestyle phone, rather than an all-out performance device. To resolve the lighter battery capacity, Apple may produce a slightly specialized battery case accessory, bringing back the idea of the Smart Battery Case from previous iPhones.
Battery Leaks: Larger Than Anticipated
The leak with battery life seems to be the most shocking. A series of reports indicate that Apple has increased battery capacities more than expected, especially for eSIM-only models, which freed internal space taken by the physical SIM trays.
iPhone 17: ~3,692 mAh iPhone 17 Air: 3,036 mAh (with SIM tray) / 3,149 mAh (eSIM only)
iPhone 17 Pro: 3,988 mAh (with SIM) / 4,252 mAh (eSIM Only)
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,823 mAh (with SIM) / 5,088 mAh (eSIM Only)
Reports suggest the iPhone 17 Pro Max will definitely surpass the 5,000 mAh barrier, making it the most substantial iPhone battery to date – a monumental step in the world of heavy users, gamers, and travelers. Even the Air’s still expressive 3,149 mAh battery in eSIM form exceeds expectations for a thin device.
Apple Watch – Wholesale Refresh
The iPhone will usually take the headlines, but this year, the technology company is giving the Apple Watch series as much love, with three major releases planned. Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to be a classic incremental refresh with the new S11 chip for faster processing and a lower battery requirement, along with a brighter display to improve readability in outdoor conditions. While expected design changes will be minimal, the internal upgrades should help extend the relevance of the watch for the next generation.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
The Ultra model, Apple’s rugged outdoor-focused smartwatch, is likely to see even bigger upgrades. There are rumors of:
- A bigger display for easier use and 5G connectivity for faster, independent access
- Satellite texting lets you communicate in the middle of nowhere
- Faster charging for fast-paced lifestyles
- Possibly blood pressure monitoring added
But leaks warn this may be limited in first-gen; if these upgrades appear, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can be the king of adventure and health-focused smartwatches.
Apple Watch SE3
The more budget-friendly watch in the SE line is also slated for a much-needed refresh. The Apple Watch SE 3 could have a larger display and a faster chip to provide a compelling entry point into the smartwatch space for anyone who is buying their first. Notably, leaks suggest that all three watches – Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 – are going to be released together at this September event instead of at staggered times throughout the year.
AirPods Pro 3 – It’s Time
It’s been three years since the release of the AirPods Pro 2 in late 2022, and it’s finally time for the AirPods Pro 3.
Better Audio & ANC
The upcoming AirPods Pro 3 could come with the H3 chip, which would supersede the H2 chip in the Pro 2 and could provide better audio fidelity, faster pairing, and substantially better Active Noise Cancellation, carrying Apple into the upper echelon of Active Noise Cancellation provided by a consumer earbud.
Health Tracking Capabilities
One of the more exciting rumors was potential heart rate and temperature tracking – health metrics could make the new AirPods Pro a good health companion to the Apple Watch.
Real-Time AI Translation
The most talked about rumored feature is real-time AI translation, which is capable of happening via the Translate app on an iPhone running iOS 26. Imagine carrying on a conversation in another language instantly. While many new features labelled “wireless earbuds” on the market are not new or simply gimmicky, Apple would be creating a global communication tool in addition to an audio device.
AirTag 2 – Smarter Item Tracking
Apple is also looking to refresh its Bluetooth item tracker in the AirTag. The AirTag 2 is rumored to come with a new Ultra Wideband chip that gives more precise location tracking and has a redesigned and louder speaker for more recognizable sounds. Although it may not match the appeal of an iPhone, an enhanced AirTag item tracking feature will undoubtedly improve daily capabilities using Apple’s Find My network.
Software Announcements – iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26
In addition to any hardware-related announcements, Apple typically uses the September event to finalize and announce availability dates for its operating software versions. Unbeknownst to most, iOS 26 will introduce a new design aesthetic called “Liquid Glass,” have even better AI-powered functions, have updated new features for Apple’s core apps like Messages and Safari, and expand.
iPadOS 26 should bring some new apps (Phone, Journal, Preview, and Games) along with the same Liquid Glass visual style for consistency. watchOS 26 is expected to introduce Workout Buddy, a more advanced Notes App, and the Liquid Glass redesign of the Apple Watch interface. These software updates will be rolled out to millions of users around the globe to integrate Apple’s new ecosystem.
In Summation
Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event looks ready to deliver on its name. The iPhone 17 lineup will introduce consumer refinements (smaller Dynamic Island, larger batteries) and bold experiments (the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air). The Apple Watch family will be revamped from the Series 11 to the powerful Ultra 3.
The AirPods Pro 3 may finally merge audio and health in a single product, featuring a game-changing AI translation function. The innocuous AirTag may even get some meaningful upgrades. On top of the hardware will be the official launch of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26, ushering in Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design era.
