With Apple’s big fall showcase just days away, excitement is building around the latest leaks and rumors. Apple has officially scheduled its September 9, 2025 event (tagged “Awe Dropping” on the invitation), and CEO Tim Cook has already hinted on social media about the new announcements. We expect this to be a pre-recorded keynote streamed live from Apple Park in Cupertino, broadcast on Apple’s website, the Apple TV app and on YouTube. In the hours before the event, here’s a rundown of everything from final rumors to key spec leaks. We’ll cover the new iPhone 17 lineup, the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, and the Apple Watch Series 11 so you’re up to speed on what to expect.
When and How to Watch Apple’s September 9 Event
Apple sent out media invites on August 26, confirming “Awe Dropping” as the theme. The September 9 event kicks off at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET). For fans who want to watch, it will be streamed live on Apple’s Events page and YouTube, and anyone can catch Tim Cook’s keynote on the Apple TV app. This year the invitation showed a Liquid Glass–style Apple logo (a nod to last year’s “Wonderlust” theme), but Apple itself uses the phrase “Awe Dropping.” Tim Cook himself teased the date on Twitter (now X) with the caption, “Get ready for an awe dropping #AppleEvent on Tuesday, September 9.” Assuming Apple follows its usual pattern, new products announced on Tuesday will be available for pre-order the following Friday and start shipping the week after.
iPhone 17 Lineup: Models, Specs and Changes
Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup is expected to be the company’s biggest shake-up in years. Like before, we’ll see multiple models, but leaks indicate Apple is renaming and reshuffling the family. Reports say we’ll get four models: the standard iPhone 17, an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air (in place of the old “Plus”), plus the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. In other words, no separate “Plus” model – the 17 Air seems destined to fill that slot. All four phones will use the new A19-series chip (the Pro models get an “A19 Pro” version) and include 120Hz OLED displays across the board.
- Ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air: By far the most radical rumor is the iPhone 17 Air’s design. Apple is said to be making this model incredibly thin – roughly 5.5 mm, more than 2 mm thinner than the current iPhone 16. This will likely be the thinnest iPhone ever. To hit that slim profile, Apple is reportedly using a lighter frame and a smaller battery – rumors say the Air’s battery might only be ~2800 mAh (about half the Pro’s). To make up for the smaller battery, Apple could use an efficient A19 chip and a vapor-chamber cooling system. The Air is expected to have a 6.6‑inch display (bigger than last year’s 6.1″ iPhone 16, effectively an “inch up” in size). The camera setup will also change: early leaks show a single 48‑megapixel rear camera (with flash on a small horizontal module) plus a 24MP front-facing camera. In short, the iPhone 17 Air trades some features (like multiple cameras and a large battery) for an ultra-slim design. It will still have key modern features – for example, it should support MagSafe charging and an Action Button like other new iPhones. One more quirk: without room for a nano‑SIM slot, the iPhone 17 Air will likely be eSIM-only. If rumors are right, this Air model could start around $899 – a competitive price for a large-screen iPhone.
- Standard iPhone 17: The non-Pro iPhone 17 is a milder upgrade. It’s expected to look much like the iPhone 16, but with some tweaks. Notably, the display will grow slightly from 6.1 to 6.3 inches (a subtle boost similar to last year’s Pro size). Apple may also slim the bezels just a bit, bringing this model closer to the edge-to-edge look of the Pro. Rumors say the basic iPhone 17 will still have a dual-lens rear camera (main wide and ultra-wide), but it could get the higher-resolution 48MP sensors (up from 12MP and 12MP now). The selfie camera will jump to 24MP. Internally, the standard iPhone 17 will run on the A19 chip (built on a 3nm process for better efficiency) and might finally get faster ProMotion 120Hz on the display (like the Pro models). It will include Apple’s newest custom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module (likely with Wi‑Fi 7 support) and continue to support charging features like Qi2 25W wireless and MagSafe.
- iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: The Pro models get the most dramatic upgrades. Industry reports suggest Apple is redesigning their build: instead of titanium, the new chassis will be a mix of aluminum and glass. About two-thirds of the back will be glass, and the top third aluminum – making them much more durable (less breakable than all-glass) and lighter. The camera layout will also change shape. Instead of the left-side “triangle” arrangement, expect a wide horizontal bump that spans almost the full width of the phone. This bump will house three 48MP lenses – so for the first time, all the main cameras (wide, ultra-wide, and tele) could be 48MP. Early leaks even suggest the new tele lens might support up to 8× optical zoom, a big jump if true. Apple is also rumored to introduce a variable aperture in the main camera and a dual video mode.
- On performance, the iPhone 17 Pro models will be powered by a new A19 Pro chip (Apple’s next-gen silicon), paired with a generous 12 GB of RAM. A19 Pro should be faster and more power-efficient, and Apple will use a vapor chamber cooler to keep thermals in check under heavy use. In fact, the entire lineup is said to get better cooling than before. For battery, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may pack Apple’s largest-ever iPhone battery, so even with a faster chip it could outlast previous models. Both Pro models may also gain faster wireless charging (Qi2 up to 25W) and potentially reverse wireless charging for charging other devices.
- Compare: iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Taken as a whole, the iPhone 17 series will be a clear upgrade over the iPhone 16 family. The jump to A19 chips (built on 3nm) promises faster performance and better battery life. Pro models go from triple 12MP to triple 48MP cameras and gain new zoom/aperture tricks. Design changes (e.g. the Air’s thin body, the Pro’s aluminum frame) set them apart. Rumor says Apple is bringing 120Hz refresh to even the non‑Pro models, whereas before it was locked to the Pros. And everything should charge via USB-C/MagSafe.
- Release Date & Price: Per the usual schedule, the iPhone 17 series will likely go up for pre-order on Friday, Sept 12 (10 AM local time) and reach customers on Sept 19. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and others have hinted that Apple may keep pricing close to last year’s levels. One tip is that the new ultra-thin 17 Air could start at around $899.
AirPods Pro 3: Upgrades and Rumored Features
Apple’s next wireless earbuds – tentatively called AirPods Pro 3 – are also expected at this event. Leaks over the past few months have built a consensus on what to expect:
- New Chip and Design: All signs point to Apple introducing a new “H3” chip inside the AirPods Pro 3. (The Pro 2 used the H2.) This will drive some small improvements in sound processing and efficiency. The overall design won’t change dramatically, but Apple is tweaking the case. The new charging case will be slightly smaller than the AirPods Pro 2 case (like how AirPods 4’s case is smaller than before). We also expect no more plastic pairing button on back – Apple may use a touch-sensitive area on the front (similar to AirPods 4). The status LED will be more hidden under the plastic, lighting up only when needed. The earbuds themselves may get a subtle redesign – possibly a shorter stem or different ear tip shape – but little is confirmed there. Importantly, like Apple’s other devices now, these will charge via USB-C MagSafe.
- Noise Canceling & Audio: Despite the new chip, Apple’s own Mark Gurman has hinted that “notable improvements” to sound quality and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) are unlikely. In other words, don’t expect a completely new audio breakthrough. Apple may tune the ANC a bit, but big jumps are not confirmed. Users hopeful for dramatically better noise blocking may be disappointed.
- Health & Sensors: A big theme for AirPods lately has been health. The AirPods Pro 2 added hearing health tools (like Hearing Test and Hearing Aid modes). Now, the AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to include biometric sensors. Specifically, leaks suggest a heart-rate sensor inside each earbud – a feature already seen in Powerbeats Pro 2 – and possibly a temperature sensor. These would let the AirPods measure pulse (and maybe skin temperature) during workouts. All that data would sync to your iPhone’s Health app.
- New Features: With the new chip and iOS 26, we might see AirPods Pro pick up new software tricks. For example, some rumors suggest “Live Translation” (so you can talk to someone in another language and get translation through the AirPods). Apple’s visionOS and iOS 26 also bring improved headphone control (auto-pause on sleep, using AirPods as camera remote, etc.). Those will likely come as firmware updates. Right now the big draw is probably improved connectivity and health tracking.
- Release & Versions: Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the AirPods Pro 3 will launch this year (as expected) and that Apple may follow up next year with an even fancier version. According to that rumor, the 2026 model might add an IR camera sensor for gesture controls (think Air “squeeze” replaced by hand waves). For 2025, though, expect just one main model. Apple historically ships new AirPods within the week of the iPhone, so a Sept 9 announcement would mean AirPods Pro 3 should be in stores by mid-September.
- What About Price? Nothing official, but if Apple is unveiling it at this event, pricing will likely be similar to today’s Pro 2 ($249). There’s talk of a more advanced version costing north of $280, but again, that seems to be for a future model.
Apple Watch Series 11 (and Ultra 3): Health Focus and Connectivity
Apple’s wearables are also due for updates. The Apple Watch Series 11 is expected at the September event, along with a new Ultra 3 model (the rugged, outdoorsy version). Here’s the latest on those:
- Launch & Price: Confirming earlier leaks, Apple’s invite and Apple Watch rumors point to a Series 11 announcement on Sept 9. The Series 11 will likely cost about the same as today’s Series 10: roughly $399 for the base 41mm GPS model (Cellular +$30). No one expects major price changes.
- Design & Chip: The Series 11 is not expected to radically change its looks. The basic rectangular style continues. Internally, it should get a new S11 chip, though code leaks say it may be very similar to the S10 (so no huge speed jump). The focus might be more on efficiency (even Apple said the S10’s main gain was space-saving on the chip). Apple may use that extra silicon space to improve battery life or add new components. WatchOS 12, which ships on Series 11, will introduce a fresh visual design (inspired by Vision Pro’s UI) and more AI-powered features like an “AI health coach.” We may see a front-facing camera embedded in the display for FaceTime calls on the watch, but that’s still a rumor with no confirmation.
- Connectivity: A major change could be cellular connectivity. Currently Apple Watch uses LTE (4G) modems from Intel. Rumors say Apple will adopt a MediaTek 5G RedCap modem for future watches. RedCap is a special 5G variant for wearables, giving faster data speeds without full 5G complexity. If Apple adds 5G to the Watch 11, it would mark a big jump over today’s Watch. For the high-end Ultra 3, it’s almost certain: industry sources say the Ultra 3 will be the first Apple Watch to have 5G cellular and two-way satellite messaging. The Ultra 3 is also expected to catch up in display tech: it should adopt the Series 10’s faster LTPO3 OLED with a slightly larger effective screen (higher resolution, thinner bezels).
- Health & Sensors: Health features are a highlight. The big rumor for Series 11 is blood pressure monitoring. Apple has been developing BP tracking for years, and code evidence suggests it might finally debut (at least as an alert/“hypertension detection” feature) in 2025. MacRumors explains that if Watch 11 includes blood-pressure monitoring, it probably won’t give actual systolic/diastolic readings; instead it would notice trends that indicate high blood pressure and alert you. In other words, the Watch could warn you if it detects hypertension patterns, potentially catching early warning signs.
- Other possible upgrades: Improved sleep tracking might appear, including perhaps a sleep score. Sleep apnea notifications are already on watchOS 11, and the Series 10/11 will continue to support that. Rumors have also mentioned health sensors like a body temperature sensor on the Ultra, or blood-glucose tracking down the road (Apple has worked on non-invasive glucose but it’s likely still a few years off). Apple is clearly pushing health: remember that the AirPods Pro 2 offered hearing-health tools, and Apple Watch already checks ambient noise. We’re likely to see enhancements in heart monitoring, sleep analysis, and maybe other wellness metrics.
- Apple Watch Ultra 3: This year’s Apple Watch Ultra is expected to get a big upgrade too. Key rumors say the Ultra 3 will finally add satellite connectivity for texting (like the iPhone has, enabling off-grid messaging). It should also adopt the Series 10’s faster display (LPTO3 OLED) and the Series 10’s new metal/sapphire back design, meaning significantly faster charging times. The Ultra 3 is likely to include the same 5G RedCap support as Series 11, and an S11 chip (which could allow a slightly longer battery or room for new sensors). An Ultra main health feature may be blood pressure monitoring – Bloomberg reported that Apple wanted to make BP monitoring the Ultra’s flagship health upgrade, though it’s unclear if it’s ready yet. All in all, the Ultra 3 is shaping up to be a true pro-sports watch, with two-way satellite for hikers and likely better battery and performance.
- Competition & Context: For perspective, these upgrades keep Apple roughly on par with rivals. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch Ultra already offers non-invasive BP monitoring and 5G in the Ultra model, so Apple is catching up. Sleep apnea alerts and ambient noise levels are already in watchOS 11, matching features from Fitbit and Samsung. The push towards AI-health coaching and translation in wearable devices is also an industry trend – Google/Pixel Watches and many earbuds now tout live translations and smart assistant features. Apple’s rumors about “Apple Intelligence” on these devices (Live Translate on AirPods, AI health tips on Watch) hint that Apple will play catch-up in the AI wearable space at this event.
Conclution
Beyond the stars of the show, a few other products may see updates. AppleInsider notes that a new Apple TV 4K and possibly AirPods Max 2 could appear on Sept 9, though the focus will be on iPhones and wearables. In any case, the Apple “Awe Dropping” event promises a packed agenda. As always with Apple rumors, take them with a grain of salt – until the keynote, nothing is certain. But with all the leaks, we have a pretty clear picture: expect the iPhone 17 family to focus on faster chips, better cameras and new thin-‘Air’ design; AirPods Pro 3 to bring incremental tweaks plus fitness tracking; and Watch 11 to push Apple’s health ambitions further (blood-pressure alerts, improved displays, and 5G connectivity).
Stay tuned Tuesday for the live coverage, and after the keynote you can compare the final announcements to these rumors.