Apple’s much-anticipated “Awe Dropping” fall keynote on Sept. 9, 2025 delivered a wave of major product announcements that have tech fans buzzing worldwide.
With the annual announcement came the highlight of the event, this year being the iPhone Air. Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever measuring just 5.6 mm thick in a lightweight titanium body, with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, the device also features the A19 Pro chip, an 18 MP Center Stage front camera, and a 48 MP Fusion rear camera, all starting at $999 for the 256 GB model.
Alongside the Air, Apple introduced the full iPhone 17 family: the standard iPhone 17 (from $799; 256 GB base), the iPhone 17 Pro (from $1,099), and the Pro Max (from $1,199, up to 2 TB storage at $1,999). With each phone getting significant upgrades, the base 17 finally got Apple’s promotion display (120 hertz refresh rate), while the 17 Pro obtained physically larger camera sensors, heavily upgrading image quality even compared to last year’s 16 pro.
“This year I really like how they added some color to the Pro line of phones, with the addition of orange and blue, I think it’s a nice refresh,” said junior Jacob M.
These models also feature the A19 / A19 Pro chips, Ceramic Shield 2 glass, and Center Stage selfie technology that Apple has recently adopted in this new line-up.
Wearables also received a significant refresh: the Apple Watch Series 11 (from $399) now supports hypertension alerts, sleep scoring, and a 24-hour battery life; the high-end Watch Ultra 3 adds satellite connectivity and 42-hour battery (from $799); and the budget-friendly Watch SE 3 (from $249) includes the S10 processor, always-on display, and gesture controls.
Audio gear got an upgrade, too. AirPods Pro 3 delivered improved fit, longer ANC battery life, heart-rate sensing, and real-time language translation, priced at the same $249 as the previous 2 generations.
Despite facing more than $1 billion in U.S. tariffs, Apple kept retail prices stable, prioritizing accessibility over margins– a decision that triggered investor concerns and weighed on Apple’s stock price.
“I think Apple’s latest event highlighted a significant change compared to recent years in terms of the iPhone, with the improvements in overall design and performance much more noticeable compared to prior years,” said Kevin A (11). “This year also shows the company’s focus on steady change more than dramatic innovation each year.”
