Cupertino, CA – Apple has officially launched its latest generation of iPhones, the iPhone 17 series, alongside significant upgrades to the Apple Watch and AirPods, at its annual tech event. The new iPhone 17 models boast enhanced camera capabilities, aiming to deliver sharper photos and more stable video recordings. A key highlight is the integration of the A19 chip, designed to power a suite of new AI features across the devices. The iPhone 17 Air, touted as Apple's thinnest and lightest model to date, also made its debut.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max introduce a striking "cosmic orange" color option and feature an aluminum unibody design. These flagship models are equipped with the largest batteries ever in an iPhone and offer an impressive 8x zoom capability. Notably, U.S. models of the iPhone 17 Pro will see a design tweak with the reintroduction of a glass cutout for the 5G mmWave antenna, positioned at the top of the phone. Furthermore, a new slim MagSafe battery bank has been released, optimized for the iPhone Air to extend battery life without adding excessive bulk.
Apple's latest smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 11, brings advanced health monitoring features, including the ability to detect hypertension. Apple anticipates this feature could alert up to 100 million people to the condition within a year. The watch also includes fall detection, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking functionalities, building upon its established health and wellness ecosystem. The budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 has also been refreshed with a new design, enhanced health features, and an 18-hour battery life, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 receives an iterative update with 5G connectivity.
In audio innovation, the new AirPods Pro 3 offer improved noise cancellation and a groundbreaking live translation feature powered by Apple AI. This functionality allows users to hear a speaker in one language and receive an English-language translation in real time, enhancing communication across language barriers. The AirPods Pro 3 have also undergone a redesign for a better fit and are priced at $249. Apple also announced Final Cut Camera 2.0, an update to its professional video editing software, which fully supports the new camera features introduced across the iPhone 17 lineup.
Industry analysts suggest that Apple may consider price increases of $50 to $100 on some of the new models, given that a significant portion of its user base has not upgraded their devices in over four years. Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives noted that approximately 315 million of Apple's 1.5 billion global iPhone users fall into this category, presenting a substantial upgrade opportunity for the company. The company also recently announced an increase in its U.S. commitment to $600 billion and is working with Corning to manufacture all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in Kentucky.
