TLDR
- Apple unveiled iPhone 17 lineup including ultra-thin iPhone Air at $999, targeting premium market with 5.6mm thickness
- Apple Watch Series 11 ($399) and Ultra 3 ($799) introduce hypertension detection pending FDA approval for 1 million users
- iPhone 17 Pro models feature vapor chamber cooling and 40% better sustained performance than previous generation
- New devices include 5G connectivity across watch lineup and satellite emergency features on Ultra 3
- iPhone Air represents biggest design change since iPhone X in 2017, positioned as step toward foldable iPhone in 2026
Apple revealed its latest product lineup Tuesday at its Cupertino headquarters, introducing the ultra-thin iPhone Air alongside updated iPhone 17 models and health-focused Apple Watch devices. The announcements come as the company continues to drive innovation in its core product categories.
The iPhone Air debuts as Apple’s thinnest smartphone ever at just 5.6 millimeters thick. Priced at $999, the device features a 6.5-inch display with always-on technology and Pro Motion capabilities.
The Air uses titanium construction with Ceramic Shield protection covering the entire phone. Apple claims this makes it the company’s strongest iPhone to date.
Inside the Air sits Apple’s new A19 Pro chip with enhanced AI acceleration through neural processors built into each of the chip’s five GPU cores. The device also includes Apple’s N1 chip for wireless connectivity and C1X modem, which uses 30% less power than previous versions.
The rear camera system features a 48-megapixel Fusion camera capable of capturing 2x telephoto-style images. Apple’s new Center Stage camera technology allows landscape and portrait photo capture without rotating the device.
Users can now record video simultaneously from front and rear cameras. This feature lets people capture their reactions while filming events or concerts.
iPhone 17 Models Target Performance Improvements
The standard iPhone 17 carries a $799 price tag and includes a larger 6.3-inch display. The device features Pro Motion technology with refresh rates up to 120Hz that drop to 1Hz on the lock screen.
Apple equipped the iPhone 17 with Ceramic Shield 2, making the display twice as scratch-resistant as previous models. The company also improved glare resistance for better outdoor visibility.
The phone runs on Apple’s 3nm A19 chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. Apple states this configuration makes the iPhone 17 20% faster than the iPhone 16.
Storage begins at 256GB, doubling the iPhone 16’s base configuration. The camera system includes an improved 48-megapixel main sensor and new 12-megapixel wide-angle camera.
Pro Models Feature Cooling Technology
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max start at $1,099 and include Apple’s A19 Pro processor. Both devices use a new aluminum unibody design with integrated vapor chamber cooling.
Apple says the vapor chamber moves heat away from internal components to prevent performance throttling. This design delivers 40% better sustained performance compared to earlier iPhone generations.
The Pro Max model features the longest-lasting battery in iPhone history. All Pro cameras now use 48-megapixel sensors with Fusion camera technology.
The telephoto camera provides up to 8x optical zoom with a 56% larger sensor for improved long-distance photography. Front cameras include the same Center Stage capabilities found across the iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple Watch Adds Health Monitoring Features
Apple’s watch lineup received health-focused updates across all models. The Apple Watch Series 11 costs $399 and offers twice the scratch resistance of the Series 10.
The device introduces 5G connectivity for the first time in the standard Apple Watch. Battery efficiency improvements extend cellular connection time while using less power.
New health features include hypertension detection that identifies high blood pressure patterns over 30 days of wear. Apple expects FDA approval soon, potentially alerting up to 1 million users about hypertension risks.
Sleep tracking improvements include a new sleep score feature for better pattern analysis over time. Battery life extends to 24 hours, with actual usage likely exceeding this estimate.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs $799 and includes a larger, brighter display with improved refresh rates. The always-on screen now shows seconds in real-time.
Like the Series 11, the Ultra 3 gains 5G connectivity plus satellite communication capabilities. Users can send emergency SOS messages, regular texts, and track location through Find My when cellular service is unavailable.
Emergency SOS satellite service comes free for two years. Battery life reaches 42 hours on the Ultra 3 model. Both premium watches include hypertension and sleep apnea detection features.
The entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 costs $249 and gains an always-on display for the first time. New features include wrist temperature tracking and sleep apnea monitoring.
Fast charging allows the SE 3 to charge twice as quickly as the previous SE 2 model. Battery life matches the Series 11 at up to 24 hours per charge.
iPhone sales generated $201.2 billion of Apple’s $391 billion total revenue in 2024, making it the company’s largest business segment. Services revenue reached $96.2 billion as the second-largest division.
