Apple September 2025 Event: iPhone 17, iOS 26, AirPods Pro 3, and Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know About Apple’s September 2025 Event

Apple’s September keynote is always its most anticipated showcase, and this year’s “Awe-Dropping” event on September 9, 2025, lived up to its billing. From the debut of the iPhone 17 lineup to refreshed AirPods and Apple Watch models, plus the global rollout of iOS 26, Apple pushed its ecosystem forward while quietly retiring older devices. Here’s the full breakdown.

iPhone 17 Lineup: Evolution Over Revolution

Apple unveiled four iPhones: the standard iPhone 17, the ultra-slim iPhone Air, and the premium iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

• iPhone 17: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, a new Center Stage 18 MP front camera, and 48 MP Dual Fusion rear cameras. Powered by the A19 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, it promises up to 30 hours of video playback. Starts at $799.

• iPhone Air: The thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6 mm, with a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 protection. It offers pro-level power in an ultra-light design. Starts at $999.

• iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Featuring the new A19 Pro chip, vapor-chamber cooling, and a triple 48 MP Fusion camera system with 8× optical zoom (Pro Max). Designed for professionals, it supports ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 video recording. Prices start at $1,099.

All models ship with iOS 26 and are available for preorder from September 12, with sales beginning September 19.

How It Differs From the iPhone 16 Series

The iPhone 17 lineup isn’t a radical departure but brings subtle, meaningful changes compared to the 16 series.

• Design: The standout difference is the iPhone Air, which makes the 16 Pro Max look bulky by comparison. The standard iPhone 17 also introduces Ceramic Shield 2 for better durability.

• Performance: The A19 and A19 Pro chips replace the A18 line, with added cooling tech in Pro models. This should improve efficiency, especially under heavy workloads.

• Camera: Center Stage front camera is new across the line, while the Pro Max’s 8× optical zoom leapfrogs the 16 Pro Max’s telephoto limits.

• Battery and Display: Adaptive power-saving and brighter 3000-nit displays set the 17 series apart, though battery gains are more evolutionary than revolutionary.

• Pricing: Apple kept the iPhone 17 at the same $799 entry point as the 16, but Pro models now demand a steeper premium.

In short, the 17 series focuses on refinement rather than overhaul, with the iPhone Air serving as the only true “wow” factor compared to the 16 lineup.

iOS 26: The Liquid Glass Refresh

Apple rolled out iOS 26 worldwide alongside the new phones.

• Visual Design: A “Liquid Glass” interface introduces translucent layers, rounded edges, and smoother animations, unifying the experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

• Battery Management: Adaptive modes adjust power usage automatically, extending life without user intervention.

• AI and Tools: New on-device machine learning features, but no major leap in Siri or generative AI, leaving Apple behind rivals like Google and Samsung in that arena.

AirPods Pro 3

Apple’s new wireless earbuds arrive with:

• Heart-rate monitoring via optical sensors.

• Improved active noise cancellation.

• Real-time translation features.

• IP57 durability for sweat and water resistance.

• Same price point of $249, shipping September 19.

Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, and Ultra 3

• SE 3: Budget-friendly at $249, with an always-on display and S10 chip.

• Series 11: Adds hypertension detection, sleep apnea monitoring, and durability improvements. Starts at $399.

• Ultra 3: Premium, rugged model starting at $799.

Apple positioned health-tracking as the central theme across all new Watch models.

What Apple Discontinued

The event also marked the end of several products:

• iPhones: 15, 15 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.

• Watches: SE 2, Series 10, Ultra 2.

• AirPods: Pro 2.

Support will continue, but these models are no longer sold new.

Key Takeaways

1. Refinement over reinvention: Apple polished its lineup instead of breaking new ground.

2. iPhone Air steals the spotlight: A bold design move that may divide buyers.

3. Pricing is creeping up: Pro models push further into premium territory.

4. AI gap persists: Apple still hasn’t shown a true answer to competitors’ generative AI features.

5. iOS 26 ties it together: A major visual refresh, but functionally conservative.

Apple delivered a lineup that feels safe, reliable, and stylish. But whether it’s truly “awe-dropping” depends on how much value users place on design tweaks and incremental upgrades.