Apple iPhone 17 event recap: iPhone Air preorders, Apple Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3, more

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 12 at 12:50 p.m. ET

The wait is sort of over for Apple to launch this yr’s lineup of latest software program. After saying them at WWDC in June, Apple has set this Monday (Sept. 15) as the discharge date for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, MacOS 26, TVOS 26, and extra.

It’s then that you can update your existing devices (so long as they’re compatible) to the newest software program and take a look at new options like Liquid Glass, name screening, default app picks, and extra.

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor at Sept. 12, 7:53 a.m. ET

Apple unveiled Hypertension Detection at its Tuesday occasion, the place it introduced that the characteristic would obtain FDA clearance by the tip of the month. Effectively, the FDA clearance got here prior to anticipated. The Apple Watch characteristic obtained clearance Thursday evening, and customers can anticipate to see the characteristic arrive on their smartwatches beginning subsequent week. 

Hypertension Detection is on the market on Apple Watch Sequence 9 or later and Extremely 2 or later. It skips the SE smartwatch mannequin. 

That is the third well being characteristic Apple has obtained FDA clearance for, with the others together with listening to loss detection and sleep apnea detection. It now has extra FDA-cleared options than Samsung and Google. 

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 12 at 7:00 a.m. ET

Preorders for the brand new iPhone 17 collection begin in the present day at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET on Apple’s web site and at partnering carriers and retailers. Are you putting an early order? In that case, which mannequin and what configuration?

• iPhone 17: Begins at $799
• iPhone Air: Begins at $999
• iPhone 17 Professional: Begins at $1,099
• iPhone 17 Professional Max: Begins at $1,199

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 4:55 p.m. ET

ZDNET received an opportunity to check out the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max cameras whereas at Apple Park this week, and early samples are wanting good thus far.

My colleague Jason Hiner captured the picture above with the brand new 48MP telephoto sensor at 8x optical zoom. For a way vibrant the Cupertino workplace could be, there’s surprisingly no harsh glare or overexposed areas.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 4:42 p.m. ET

and…it survived!

In a latest interview with Apple’s senior management, Tom’s Information editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer was permitted to forcefully bend the iPhone Air. The system, strengthened with a titanium band much like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, confirmed a slight flex however rapidly returned to its authentic form.

The brand new design retains the cellphone light-weight and durable. Whereas the iPhone Air seems to have averted a “bendgate” repeat, its true sturdiness can be seen when it is in customers’ palms.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET

Should you preordered instances and equipment in your new iPhone 17 — and also you occur to reside close to a neighborhood distribution middle — there is a excessive likelihood they will be delivered as early as in the present day.

My colleague Jason Hiner obtained his order of TechWoven instances for the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max simply this morning!

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 7:19 p.m. ET

Probably the greatest new digicam options on the iPhone 17 collection helps you to seize with the rear and entrance cameras concurrently. It is a vlogging characteristic I’ve seen on competing Android telephones, and I can see lots of people utilizing it when recording stay performances and live shows. In spite of everything, the reactions to these moments are simply as useful as what’s in entrance of the digicam.

Try Jason Hiner’s take a look at footage beneath.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 2:40 p.m. ET

In keeping with Apple’s technical specs page for the brand new AirPods Professional 3, the wi-fi earbuds will ship with out a charging cable within the field. This implies customers should use an present USB-C cable or wi-fi charging dock to energy the equipment.

At this time limit, are we extra forgiving of those omissions? I personally stash away most of my new USB-C cables, as one or two are sufficient to energy my major units. However should you’re upgrading from the unique AirPods Professional, anticipate to have to purchase a charger to go along with it.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 1:29 p.m. ET

Forward of Friday’s preorder window, I am seeing a number of provider promotions beginning to floor, together with this latest one from Verizon. It slashes off $1,100 — equal to the price of an iPhone 17 Professional at retail worth — if you commerce in an eligible smartphone and are on an Limitless information plan.

That is par for the course with regards to provider offers, as AT&T and T-Cell are operating comparable packages. As at all times, you must learn the advantageous print when accepting provider offers, because the smallest of errors can accrue charges and different bills.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 11:05 a.m. ET

We formally stay in a world the place you should buy an iPhone from the Apple retailer for $2,000. The configuration is an iPhone 17 Professional Max with 2TB of inside storage. That is not together with Apple Care and any equipment.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 9:42 a.m. ET

We have been speculating all yr whether or not or not Apple would enhance the costs of iPhones, and it did! But additionally, probably not.

The $999 iPhone Air has changed the $899 iPhone 16 Plus, however I would not take into account the Air a direct successor to the latter — it is a completely totally different idea of a cellphone, with an innovation tax to go along with.

The $1,099 iPhone 17 Professional prices $100 greater than its predecessor however now comes with 256GB of base storage as an alternative of 128GB. Apple has primarily eliminated the 128GB configuration this yr. That is all.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 10 at 6:46 a.m. ET

Should you’re break up between the newest iPhones and competing Android fashions, we have coated the most important variations beneath. Extra tales to return!

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor at Sept. 9, 9:34 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the underdog that few anticipated Apple to announce at its annual {hardware} launch. It does not have the superior {hardware} that its siblings boast – Apple contains the S10 chip it developed for 2024’s Sequence 10 smartwatch lineup. 

It lacks a number of the hotter options the Apple Watch Sequence 11 or Apple Watch Extremely 3 pack, like Hypertension Detection or Satellite tv for pc Connectivity. However it’s shaping as much as be worth for smartwatch curious customers. I stay up for testing the be careful to seek out out for myself. 

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET

Yearly, when a brand new iPhone launches, I get requested, “Ought to I improve from my present cellphone?” And yearly, I reply by asking if the newest options make a dramatic distinction to how they use their cellphone.

Listed here are the most important new options you will get by upgrading to the iPhone 17 collection in comparison with earlier generations.

• From iPhone 16 collection: A greater selfie digicam that may auto-frame the topic, a 120Hz show on the bottom mannequin, improved thermal cooling (Professional solely), and a sharper telephoto lens (Professional solely).
• From iPhone 15 collection: A Digital camera Management button, slimmer bezels and bigger shows, quicker USB-C charging speeds, and all of the above.
• From iPhone 14 collection: An Motion button, USB-C charging, an aluminum-forward design (Professional solely), and all of the above.
• From iPhone 13 collection: A Dynamic Island punch-hole digicam, eSIM help, and all of the above.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 3:42 p.m. ET

The hands-on pictures I’ve seen thus far of the iPhone 17 Professional in Cosmic Orange are giving me immense FOMO. It is so refreshing to see Apple department out of the usual black, white, and grayish hues and be extra experimental. However as at all times, if customers need extra of this, they will must vote with their wallets.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 4:31 p.m. ET

Whereas I’m not an orange particular person and personal not one ounce of orange in my wardrobe or equipment, the Cosmic Orange shade is totally beautiful. As we mentioned within the workplace, the hands-on footage makes it evident that the colour is way much less of a site visitors cone orange and extra of a copper-like shade.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner is on the ground and taking pictures with members of the press. Clearly, the ultraportability of the iPhone Air makes it fairly simple to raise up and take group selfies.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:16 p.m. ET

That is a wrap for the Apple launch livestream and occasion. Now, our ZDNET crew on the bottom is heading to the units to get hands-on footage and insights. We are going to proceed to replace this stay weblog as these pictures, movies, and articles are available; plus, keep tuned for our occasion day evaluation.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:15 p.m. ET

Listed here are the iPhone 17 beginning costs, all of which include a base storage of 256GB now:

• iPhone 17: $799
• iPhone Air: $999
• iPhone 17 Professional: $1,099
• iPhone 17 Professional Max: $1,199

You’ll be able to preorder beginning this Friday, Sept. 12, at 5:00 am PT, and all telephones can be out there on the market beginning on Friday, Sept. 19.

By Nina Raemont, Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:09 p.m. ET

I have been wishing for sleep scores on the Apple Watch for a very long time, and I stay up for testing out the characteristic on the Sequence 11. The characteristic brings a standard well being monitoring characteristic to Apple’s newest lineup of units, and retains the tech big in competitors with its wearable rivals which have already applied the characteristic into their units.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 2:07 p.m. ET

All three iPhone 17 Professional cameras are actually 48MP and Fusion cameras, which means they’ve a number of efficient lengths. So the zoom digicam is now 4x with an 8x “optical-quality” zoom. Which means Apple has truly downgraded the optical zoom from 5x to 4x. I am undecided how I really feel about that, however I will withhold judgement till I attempt it.

That stated, Apple famous it used the iPhone 17 Professional to movie the launch occasion, as a result of its superior video capabilities. The iPhone 17 Professional helps the extremely anticipated ProRes RAW seize and Genlock.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Lastly, the iPhone 17 Professional is right here. This time, it is made with aluminum as an alternative of titanium for a lighter but extra sturdy construct. The cellphone options “the most important battery in an iPhone,” Apple says, runs on the identical A19 Professional chip because the iPhone Air, and options an improved thermal cooling system that spreads all through the cellphone physique.

Water is sealed throughout the vapor chamber to dissipate warmth and maintain efficiency (a 40% enchancment from the iPhone 16 Professional). In different phrases, the iPhone will run at peak ranges for longer whereas retaining extra battery life over time.

On the entrance, a brand new anti-reflective coating ought to enhance the display’s viewing angles, particularly when outdoor. All three cameras are 48MP fusion sensors, which means they will flex between numerous zoom ranges. The telephoto sensor, specifically, can seize at 8X optical high quality, thanks partially to the tetraprism design.

iPhone 17 Professional fashions may also characteristic the identical Middle Stage Entrance Digital camera because the iPhone 17. The anodized aluminum seems to be a unibody design, with curves that mix into each little nook of the iPhone. On the again is a Ceramic Defend layering that is extra sturdy than earlier generations. 

The iPhone 17 Professional will launch in solely three colours: Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue. 

Apple used Ceramic Defend on the again of the 17 Professional, identical to the Air. It is 4x extra proof against cracks whereas being thinner total, providing extra room for the battery, which is one of the best (and largest) in any iPhone.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:57 p.m. ET

I at all times cherished the bumper instances on the iPhones — minimal, gentle, and nice safety — and I used to be critically bummed when Apple stopped making them. No third-party case maker ever picked up the gauntlet, which was a disgrace. These bumper instances additionally allowed the again of the cellphone to indicate by and show Apple’s design. I am thrilled that Apple is bringing again the bumper case for the iPhone Air — good alternative! Let’s examine if they carry it to the Professional fashions as properly.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:54 p.m. ET

Apple is making a giant deal in regards to the iPhone Air’s help for eSIM. In reality, it’s going to be the primary iPhone to launch with eSIM solely globally. Beforehand, solely the US variations launched with eSIM, whereas different nations’ iPhones supported bodily SIM playing cards. By lowering the elements throughout the cellphone, Apple says it was in a position to squeeze in a bigger battery.

Apple’s resolution to make the iPhone Air eSIM-only is partly logistical — there’s merely not sufficient room within the system to slot in a standard SIM card subsequent to the battery.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:51 p.m. ET

iPhone Air has a 48MP fusion digicam system that’s meant to perform like a number of cameras in a single, together with a 12MP 2X telephoto. Another digicam options embrace focus management, photographic types, and customized 28MM and 52MM lenses, which add 4 lenses to your digicam. The entrance options the aforementioned middle stage digicam at 12MP.

The battery life on the iPhone Air, supported by iOS 26 options and a considerate under-the-hood design, helps all-day battery life, in line with Apple. This contains 40 hours of video playback when utilizing the Air’s specifically designed MagSafe battery pack. 

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:48 p.m. ET

The iPhone Air will characteristic a brand new N1 chip, Apple’s in-house silicon that helps Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. This comes simply six months after Apple launched the C1 modem with the iPhone 16e. The iPhone Air may also characteristic an upgraded C1X variant, which the corporate says is way more energy environment friendly, however simply as sturdy in community connectivity.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:48 p.m. ET
Integrating Apple’s N1 and C1X chips into the iPhone Air and calling it probably the most environment friendly iPhone ever undoubtedly offers this product the sensation of being the futuristic iPhone, paying homage to the iPhone X again in 2017.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:45 p.m. ET

The announcement of the iPhone Air received, by far, the most important response out of the group inside Steve Jobs Theater for the Apple Occasion. There’s real enthusiasm for this product. The group particularly hollered — and there have been even some audible gasps — when the video got here up with the iPhone Air balancing on high of a finger. I am undecided individuals are going to be as excited after they be taught the digicam and battery life compromises, however the design itself generated loads of sturdy reactions.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:45 p.m. ET
Sabrina Ortiz, sitting subsequent to me, can’t recover from how skinny the iPhone Air is — 5.6mm and with a 6.5″ always-on show — and I am anticipating many customers to really feel equally. For the primary time, the cellphone is roofed with ceramic for improved sturdiness, making it as much as 5 occasions extra resistant. Impressively, the digicam module is sculpted into the again cowl, so it melts into the remainder of the glass, lowering the dimensions and bulk of the system. It is “a paradox you must maintain to consider,” says Apple.

The body is made out of titanium for a skinny design. These supplies make the iPhone Air extra sturdy than another mannequin. The iPhone Air options the just-announced A19 Professional chip.

Apple stated the cellphone incorporates “MacBook Professional-levels of compute” and that it is “probably the most energy environment friendly iPhone we have ever made.”

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:38 p.m. ET

Apple utilizing AI and Middle Stage to routinely body your selfies received an enormous response from the stay viewers contained in the Steve Theater. There are clearly lots of creators on this crowd. 

That is the primary huge AI characteristic Apple introduced on the occasion. It is extra like machine studying and never generative AI, however it’s good to see Apple integrating quality-of-life options in good methods.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:46 p.m. ET

The iPhone 17 will run on an A19 chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, 5-core GPU, and improved on-device computing. The enhancements to how the iPhone computes lend themselves to extra gaming workloads, quicker on-device AI duties, and extra. A extra environment friendly processor additionally extends the iPhone 17 battery by 8 hours of video playback.

Apple says the next-gen 5-core GPU is designed to help higher gaming, particularly paired with the show’s upgraded 120Hz refresh price.

Then there’s the brand new A19 Professional chip, which includes a 6-core CPU. Apple claims it’s the quickest CPU in any iPhone. It’s speculated to allow battery effectivity for extra on a regular basis duties. The 5-core GPU additionally received a efficiency enhance, which makes it greatest for AI compute. There’s a neural accelerator constructed into every GPU core, preferrred for GPU-intensive AI workloads.

The A19 Professional generates warmth, Apple admits — requiring an all-new cooling system to account for it.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:42 p.m. ET

The iPhone 17 will characteristic a 48MP most important digicam (that captures at 24MP binned, by default). It is nonetheless a 2x optical zoom — nothing extra — however I’ve at all times discovered the bottom iPhone digicam adequate for zoom photographs. 

Apple has additionally upgraded the selfie digicam, calling it the “Middle Stage Entrance Digital camera,” with a wider discipline of view and a bigger sensor than final yr. Capturing a wider space permits customers to reframe their photographs, corresponding to swapping from panorama and portrait mode without having to rotate the cellphone. Permitting you to carry the cellphone vertically retains your eyes extra naturally targeted on the lens.

By  Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:38 p.m. ET
Apple utilizing AI and Middle Stage to routinely body your selfies received an enormous response from the stay viewers contained in the Steve Theater. There are clearly lots of creators on this crowd. That is the primary huge AI characteristic Apple introduced on the occasion. It is extra like machine studying and never generative AI, however it’s good to see Apple integrating quality-of-life options in good methods.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 9 at 1:40 p.m. ET

The introduction of a 120Hz ProMotion show within the iPhone 17 received a giant response from the stay viewers inside Steve Jobs Theater. This has been lengthy overdue. Far cheaper aggressive telephones have featured 90Hz and 120Hz screens for years whereas the usual iPhone has been caught on 60Hz, which was simply not as good to have a look at daily. The 120Hz display makes the base-level iPhone 17 much more aggressive.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:37 p.m. ET

Apple Launches its iPhone 17 in 5 colours: Lavender, Mist Blue, Black, White, and Sage. The brand new cellphone options:

• A 6.3″ show with thinner borders
• 120 Hz refresh price (a serious deal, for the primary time ever)
• 3,000 nits peak out of doors brightness, the best ever on the bottom mannequin
• Ceramic Defend 2, offers it thrice extra scratch resistance
• Seven-layer anti-reflective coating to cut back glare and distractions
• A19 chipset, which ought to assist on-device generative and huge language fashions (LLMs) run quicker

Apple stated that if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone, you must see unbelievable speeds. The corporate additionally recapped iOS 26 upgrades, together with Stay Translation and Visible Intelligence upgrades.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor /Sept. 9 at 1:36 p.m. ET

Apple wraps up its Apple Watch bulletins:

• Apple Watch SE 3 $249
• Apple Watch Sequence 11 $399
• Apple Watch Extremely 3 $799

You’ll be able to pre-order all variations of the watch beginning in the present day, they usually’ll be out there on Sept. 19.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:35 p.m. ET

It is Apple Watch Extremely 3 time. This yr, the wearable includes a new show that makes use of a wide-angle OLED and LTPO 3, making it brighter to view. Apple says the bezels are thinner, too, permitting the watch to have a bigger display throughout the similar physique as final yr.

Just like the Watch Sequence 11, Extremely 3 helps 5G connectivity. However it goes a step additional by utilizing satellites for emergency messages, pings. and Discover My syncing. The Watch Extremely 3 can last as long as 42 hours, the longest ranking of any Apple Watch.

ZDNET Editor in Chief Jason Hiner says he is “been sporting Apple Watch Extremely daily for the previous two years, and I will undoubtedly be upgrading to Apple Watch Extremely 3 for the larger display, the stronger 5G and satellite tv for pc connectivity, and the black shade.”

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:33 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 can last as long as 24 hours, is available in Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Area Grey, and is made with 100% aluminum. We’re seeing some traditional watch bands out there, together with Nike and Hermes-branded equipment.

The lineup has a bunch of up to date watch bands, together with some from in style manufacturers like Nike, and a Hermes band with a novel branded animated wallpaper.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:32 p.m. ET

Apple launched its third-generation Apple Watch SE. It options the S10 chip that helps a brand new always-on show. You’ll be able to play music instantly by the speaker. 

The Apple Watch SE additionally options an 18-hour battery life and quick charging for the primary time — in quarter-hour of quick charging, customers can stand up to eight hours of regular use. It’s suitable with iOS 26, which opens it as much as superior options on par with the remainder of the lineup too.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET

Apple Watch Sequence 11 now has Sleep Scores, which analyzes the way you sleep utilizing advanced algorithms. You’ll be able to see an in depth evaluation of how the rating was concluded.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:24 p.m. ET

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 makes use of the optical blood sensor to trace and assessment information over a 30-day interval to seek out indicators of hypertension. Apple says it is anticipating FDA clearance “quickly.”

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:20 p.m. ET

Apple highlights how the Apple Watch affords life-saving options, forward of unveiling its new smartwatch lineup.

The corporate’s advertising and marketing for the Apple Watch is powerfully efficient, shifting past technical specs to share real-world testimonials of how the system has actually remodeled lives. This method transforms the watch from a gadget into a vital piece of non-public well being and security expertise.

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 would be the first of the wearable line to help 5G connectivity. It additionally options a number of new watch faces, together with Stream (primarily based on Liquid Glass, the design aesthetic used throughout iOS 26) and “Exactograph,” a novel design that separates hours, minutes, and seconds.

The brand new launch is Apple’s thinnest and most comfy watch but, with a customized ceramic design coating utilized on the atomic stage that is twice as scratch-resistant.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief and Nina Raemont, Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:17 p.m. ET

Apple is including coronary heart price sensing to the AirPods Professional 3, which was already within the Powerbeats Professional 2.

The Apple AirPods Professional 3 didn’t get the rumored temperature monitoring, which is a bummer since temperature could be taken very precisely from the ear. The wrist temperature monitoring on Apple Watch just isn’t simple to entry and could be inaccurate. Including temperature to AirPods Professional 3 would have given Apple’s well being ecosystem a greater alternative to compete with good rings like Oura on this metric, so it is a missed alternative.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:10 p.m. ET

Impressively, Stay Translation works between a number of AirPods Professional customers, with the translated audio broadcasting of their desired language. The characteristic runs on the iPhone’s present AI fashions.

Stay translation on the AirPods Professional will decrease the quantity of the speaker and supply a contextual translation, not simply particular person phrases. When paired with the iPhone, you’ll be able to converse naturally and get a translation to show on the display to the speaker.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:07 p.m. ET

The occasion kicked off with the AirPods Professional 3 launch. The earbuds had been designed with a multi-port acoustic structure which higher controls air circulation, producing higher total sound throughout music and calls alike.

The AirPods Professional 3 even have double the energetic noise cancellation (ANC) from earlier fashions, and the characteristic is 4 occasions more practical than the unique AirPods Professional. Stay Translation powered by Apple Intelligence can be coming to the brand new AirPods Professional.

Apple says AirPods Professional 3 will last as long as 8 hours with ANC on and 10 hours with Transparency mode on. That is 4 extra hours than the earlier technology. They’re going to be out there beginning Sept. 19.

The brand new AirPods Professional may have a greater in-ear for customers. This contains new ear suggestions in 5 sizes.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 1:03 p.m. ET

Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner kicks off the stay occasion along with his signature “Good morning.” He hints that in the present day’s bulletins will embrace the AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone.

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor / Sept. 9 at 12:45 p.m. ET

We have made it to Steve Jobs Theater, the place Apple will unveil its newest {hardware} lineup in simply minutes. The theater is buzzing with pleasure as media and trade leaders fill in.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 12:22 p.m. ET

Whereas the official gross sales dates stay unconfirmed, Apple has historically opened up preorders on the second Friday of Sept. (or Sept. 12 this yr). The official launch, which means when the telephones could be demoed and bought in shops, occurs the next Friday (or Sept. 19 this yr). 

Observe that Apple might regulate these dates and occasions primarily based on product availability and stock.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 11:34 a.m. ET

Leaker Instant Digital on Weibo not too long ago posted a picture depicting each new iPhone 17 shade, from the Air to the Professional Max, and it coincides with different renders and case listings we have seen. If true, we could also be wanting on the first orange-colored iPhone Professional, a sky blue end for the Air, and a few pastel choices for the usual mannequin.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 9 at 10:54 a.m. ET

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicted that there will not be lots of new AI launched at Apple’s occasion. Particularly, he stated the corporate didn’t “have lots up its sleeve by way of AI — at the very least not within the close to future.”

Should you’re ready for important new AI options and upgrades, you could have to take action till the launch of the extremely anticipated Siri 2.0 — which is not slated to occur until spring of next year. Within the meantime, there are additionally the iOS 26 AI options introduced at WWDC to stay up for (extra on that in earlier entries beneath).

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 10:32 a.m. ET

The successor to the world’s most popular Bluetooth tracker is predicted to launch at in the present day’s Apple occasion. Notable upgrades embrace a brand new Extremely Wideband chip for extra exact monitoring, enhanced privateness options, and a longer-lasting battery. Hopefully, Apple retains the value in the identical ballpark.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 9:47 a.m. ET

A Reddit user has found a Greatest Purchase promotion that implies that new AirPods are, actually, coming. The provide, legitimate from Sept. 9 to Oct. 5, offers My Greatest Purchase members a $20 low cost on the AirPods Pro 3, that are anticipated to be unveiled through the Apple keynote in the present day.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 8:55 a.m. ET

The largest query mark going into in the present day’s occasion is iPhone pricing; whether or not or not we’ll see the primary enhance to Apple’s handsets because the iPhone 15 Professional Max (although it was justified with a storage improve).

This weekend, leaked training documents from a South Korean provider firm advised that iPhone 17 costs will keep largely the identical as final yr’s fashions. Here is the breakdown after conversions:

• iPhone 17: $799
• iPhone 17 Air (which replaces the Plus): $899
• iPhone 17 Professional: $999
• iPhone 17 Professional Max: $1,250

Notably, the Professional Max variant prices $50 extra, although these costs could also be particular to sure nations and areas, like South Korea.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 8:37 a.m. ET

Whereas I not anticipate Apple to make main shifts to the iPhone Professional’s digicam system — it is a legislation of diminishing returns form of factor — the rumored 48MP telephoto sensor does put a smile on my face. 

The improved optics ought to drastically profit photographers and videographers eager to seize at farther distances, with the potential of 8x optical zoom (versus digital) paving the best way for crisper and extra real looking photographs.

If Apple nails the telephoto digicam, the iPhone 17 Professional might compete properly with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely and Google Pixel 10 Professional, each of which have confirmed to be dependable long-distance shooters.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 9 at 8:27 a.m. ET

In Apple custom, the online retailer is down quickly in preparation for in the present day’s product releases. You’ll be able to anticipate the shop to be down — as in you will not be capable to purchase and take a look at something — till the tip of the keynote. Think about it as safety for impulse buying habits!

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 8 at 9:21 p.m. ET

ZDNET’s Nina Raemont and I’ve landed in Cupertino and are prepared for this week’s huge occasion. Keep tuned for extra stay protection, together with hands-on pictures and movies.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 8 at 5:01 p.m. ET

Somebody has apparently found an unofficial iPhone 17 accent, and it is one you’d least anticipate. X consumer Sonny Dickson not too long ago posted photos of what seems to be to be a crossbody strap for the iPhone 17 collection, with a loop that probably attaches to the underside of a cellphone case. It is orange, it is modern, and it’ll unquestionably be costly.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 8 at 3:17 p.m. ET

Whereas the precise particulars on the brand new Apple {hardware} stay a thriller till the occasion begins tomorrow, we already received the news on all the iOS 26 Apple Intelligence updates at WWDC again in June. The AI options will not be the flashiest, however lots of them will you should definitely enhance the way you work together along with your cellphone. A fast round-up of the options I’m wanting ahead to probably the most could be discovered beneath:

• Visible Intelligence
• Actual-time translation
• AutoMix in Apple Music
• Shortcuts utilizing Apple Intelligence
• Maintain Help
• Spatial Photographs
• Exercise Buddy

The most effective half in regards to the new options is that they don’t seem to be simply restricted to iPhone 17 customers; iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 16 collection units are supported too. You’ll be able to learn extra about what every characteristic does, and a few extra ones to stay up for right here: 7 helpful AI features launching in iOS 26 next week.

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor / Sept. 8 at 11:18 a.m. ET

Might Apple add coronary heart price monitoring to its latest AirPods lineup? The Apple-owned Powerbeats Professional 2 unveiled earlier this yr with the characteristic, and the train earbuds share the AirPods Professional 2’s H2 chipset. It isn’t unreasonable to foretell the characteristic’s arrival in Apple’s newest earbuds. 

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor / Sept. 8 at 10:32 AM ET

Apple is releasing its new watch lineup amid a aggressive panorama of well being wearables. Its smartwatch launch tomorrow, which reportedly contains the discharge of the Sequence 11, Extremely 3, and probably an SE 3, might maintain its income momentum, which surpassed $100 billion in Q2, going, in line with Counterpoint Research. 

Counterpoint credit the “steady evolution” of the model’s well being and health-monitoring options for its income achievements. Apple might unveil extra well being developments at tomorrow’s occasion, as rumors a couple of new hypertension monitoring characteristic or AI-infused well being coaches swirl.

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 8 at 9:21 a.m. ET

Okay, so we’re doing this. Numerous Apple occasion protection incoming on ZDNET this week. What are you anticipating probably the most from Apple, or what do you need to know popping out of tomorrow’s iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods launch? Pontificate within the feedback beneath.

By Nina Raemont, Wearables Editor / Sept. 6 at 5:18 p.m. ET

Apple’s newest smartwatch software program, WatchOS 26, has given us a couple of glimpses at what the Sequence 11 is able to. Exterior of these software program updates, I am preserving my eyes and ears open for rumors, murmurs, and whispers on Apple’s subsequent wearable. Listed here are seven options we’re presently taking a look at.

• Sleep scores
• Elevated brightness on the Sequence 11
• A bigger show on the Extremely 3
• A brand new processor and quicker chip
• Satellite tv for pc connectivity on the Extremely 3
• A revamped Well being app
• Blood stress monitoring

By Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief / Sept. 6 at 4:32 p.m. ET

Whereas the iPhone has nearly all the smartest AI apps out there from the newest AI trailblazers, it lacks the form of deep integration of AI options which can be solely out there on the intersection of the working system and the newest {hardware}.

Listed here are 7 competing companies and options I would prefer to see Apple undertake with the iPhone 17:

• ChatGPT’s Voice Mode
• Pixel 10’s Professional Res Zoom
• Google’s Magic Cue
• Anthropic’s Deep Analysis
• Greatest Take from Google Photographs
• A lot broader language help
• Google’s Conversational photograph modifying

Whereas the delay in rolling out Apple Intelligence options might not have appeared to harm the iPhone through the previous yr, Apple might want to shut the hole to keep away from the iPhone 17 feeling like a tool that is a step behind. As of proper now, Google could make a reasonably sturdy case that it affords the neatest cellphone cash should purchase.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 6 at 4:02 p.m. ET

Leaks and rumors have advised that the upcoming collection of Professional iPhones will characteristic a redesigned digicam bar, with the identical association of cameras within the upper-left nook as earlier fashions, flanked by extra sensors on the proper aspect — all upheld by a protruding module. For cellphone fans, suppose Poco M4 Pro design.

There may also be a two-toned portion of the again panel that features as a wi-fi charging space. If we get fortunate, Apple might even give us reverse wi-fi charging, a characteristic prevalent on Android flagships that permits you to cost different Qi-supported units when set on the again of the cellphone.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 6 at 3:27 p.m. ET

An ultra-thin and lightweight iPhone could be refreshing to see from Apple, as its present four-iPhone lineup has remained in place because the iPhone 12 collection in 2020. 

The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly characteristic a big show dimension, a titanium body, and a revamped digicam bar with solely a single sensor.

Additionally: If these iPhone 17 Air rumors are real, my old phone is about to be retired

Apple can be anticipated to interchange the iPhone 17 Plus with the iPhone 17 Air, as customers have proven the least curiosity within the former mannequin. This probably positions the Air mannequin as each one of the best huge iPhone that does not value as a lot because the Professional Max and probably the most moveable for many who need that.

Zoom out a bit, and also you may even be wanting on the beginnings of what an iPhone Fold expertise might be like in a yr or two.

By Kerry Wan, Managing Editor / Sept. 6 at 3:02 p.m. ET

Whereas rumors of the upcoming merchandise have been swirling over the previous yr, no preview is extra official than Apple’s occasion invitation graphic, stuffed with sufficient Easter eggs to maintain followers excited and journalists engaged. 

This yr, we’re seeing an Apple brand shimmering in blue, orange, purple, and yellow, adopted by the phrases “Awe dropping.” My three theories for what the design implies are…

• iPhone 17 Professional colours: Anticipated to include Orange, Black, Silver, and Darkish Blue
• A vapor chamber for cooling: This yr’s Apple occasion invitation additionally resembles a warmth map — reds and oranges trace at heat, whereas the cooler blues recommend temperature regulation. That might be a delicate nod to approaching thermal enhancements.
• Different temperature options: We might probably see physique temperature and blood stress monitoring throughout new AirPods and Apple Watches.

By Sabrina Ortiz, Senior Editor / Sept. 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Apple has confirmed through social media that this yr’s fall occasion will happen on Sept. 9 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Choose members of the press, together with ZDNET’s Jason Hiner and Nina Raemont, will attend in particular person, however the public can be invited to affix nearly through livestream.

Whereas Apple’s September occasion was open to a stay viewers, consisting of members of the media, trade analysts, staff, and companions, the corporate additionally held a livestream in order that the general public might tune in and watch its latest merchandise launch in actual time.

The livestream was hosted on Apple’s main website and YouTube, opening as much as viewers a number of minutes earlier than begin time. This yr, the occasion kicked off at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, with replays being broadcasted at this level.