iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and everything else announced at Apple’s hardware event

In a highly anticipated hardware event, Apple has unveiled its newest offerings, including the iPhone 17 lineup, the latest Apple Watch, and upgraded AirPods. The iPhone 17 series features larger displays and an enhanced camera system, with the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which takes the place of the Plus model. The iPhone 17 boasts a redesigned 6.3-inch screen, a noticeable increase of 0.2 inches over its predecessor, the iPhone 16. This model also comes with a 120 Hz display, a significant enhancement from the previous 60 Hz, and is equipped with a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. Customers can choose from new color options including lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage. The Pro model sees its upgrades primarily on the rear, featuring a new camera layout in a rectangular bar that spans the width of the device. The flash, light sensor, and microphone are strategically positioned on the side, while the Apple logo is now centered for aesthetic appeal. Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro has shifted from a titanium band to an aluminum frame around the screen. The starting price for the iPhone 17 is set at $799, offering 256GB of base storage, whereas the iPhone 16 started at $699 with only 128GB. The Pro variant is priced at $1,099, and the Pro Max model at $1,199. In addition to the iPhones, Apple introduced new phone cases called “TechWoven,” made from higher quality woven material than the previously discontinued “FineWoven” fabric cases. However, the absence of an AI-enhanced Siri update raised eyebrows, signaling that Apple may be lagging behind competitors like Google. The highlight of the event was the launch of the slimmest iPhone to date, the iPhone Air, which is a mere 5.6 mm thick, slightly thinner than current models. This device features a 6.6-inch display and a 120Hz ProMotion screen. Designed to be e-SIM only, this approach enhances its sleek profile, aligning with the trend of slimmer smartphones, similar to offerings from Samsung and Huawei. The iPhone Air is priced at $999 and comes in black, white, sky blue, and light gold. In addition, after a two-year gap, Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which boasts faster charging, 5G support, and satellite connectivity, alongside a larger display. A standout feature is the new blood pressure-monitoring capability, which alerts users to any concerning changes in their blood pressure levels. The Apple Watch SE 3 received minor updates, mainly an always-on display powered by a faster S10 chip, with prices set at $249 for the SE 3, $399 for the Series 11, and $799 for the Ultra 3. Lastly, the much-anticipated AirPods Pro 3 debuted with a price tag of $249, featuring smaller earbuds, enhanced audio quality, and a heart-rate sensing capability. The new earbuds also include live translation technology, leveraging Apple Intelligence for real-time language translation, making them an exciting addition to Apple's audio lineup.