Apple packed a lot into its September event this year — a marquee announcement of the iPhone Air, alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup, new Apple Watch models, and the AirPods Pro 3. Phew. Everything launches September 19th, and here’s the full breakdown in case you missed it.

In case you missed out on the event as it happened, don’t worry; we’ve included all of the biggest announcements and moments from Apple’s keynote below.

iPhone Air: The Thinnest iPhone Ever

The star of the show was the iPhone Air, Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date at just 5.6mm. Until now, the “Air” name was reserved for iPads and MacBooks, but it’s officially part of the iPhone family.

Extras: Simultaneous video from front + back cameras

Display: 6.5-inch ProMotion OLED

Chip: A19 Pro chip (MacBook Pro–level performance)

Connectivity: N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread + C1X modem (2x faster than last-gen)

Camera: Single-lens 48 MP “Fusion” camera that doubles as ultrawide + 2x telephoto, with f/1.6 aperture

Front Camera: 18MP Center Stage selfie cam (auto-framing, multiple crop options)

The iPhone Air packs most of its hardware into a wide camera plateau, leaving more room for battery inside the slim chassis. Apple promises all-day life, but it’s also launching a MagSafe battery accessory that extends life up to 40 hours.

The iPhone Air starts at $999 (KES129,370.50) for a 256GB model and will launch September 19th.

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max

The standard iPhone 17 gets a big quality-of-life upgrade with ProMotion — a long-awaited 120Hz display on a baseline iPhone. It’s powered by the A19 chip, which Apple says has a GPU that’s 20% faster than the A18, and 90% faster than the iPhone 14’s A15 Bionic.

Selfie: Center Stage

Display: 6.3-inch OLED, up to 120Hz

Camera: Dual 48MP system, ultrawide macro + 2x telephoto support

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max step it up with the A19 Pro chip and a new two-tone anodized aluminum unibody that’s more durable and dissipates heat better than last year’s titanium.

Sizes: 6.3-inch (Pro) and 6.9-inch (Pro Max)

Cameras: Triple 48MP system (ultrawide macro, main, 8x telephoto)

Extras: Simultaneous recording (front + rear), Ceramic Shield, biggest battery ever in an iPhone, vapor chamber cooling

There are some accessories coming for the iPhone 17 Pro, including TechWoven cases, translucent cases, and a crossbody strap.

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (KES 142,320.50) for a 256GB version, with up to 2TB of storage supported in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. That version will cost a cool $1,999 (KES 258,870.50).

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

The company also refreshed its wearable lineup, giving us three new Apple Watches that cater to different audiences: the flagship Series 11, the rugged Ultra 3, and the budget-friendly SE 3.

Apple Watch Series 11: Subtle but Smarter

Unlike the bold redesign of the Series 10, the Apple Watch Series 11 is more about refinement than reinvention. Most of the upgrades are under the hood, though Apple did introduce new finishes — space gray for the aluminum model and slate gray for the titanium.

• Performance: Powered by Apple’s latest watch chip with 5G support, making it faster and more connected than ever.
• Health Features: This year’s highlight is hypertension notifications, Apple’s latest attempt to make the Watch an everyday health companion. Apple is seeking FDA clearance, but if approved, this feature could be a game-changer for users monitoring blood pressure.
• Language Tools: Live translation is built into the watch, enabling on-the-go communication across languages.
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours per charge — a full day, but not a breakthrough compared to previous models.

The Series 11 starts at $399 (KES 51,670.50) for the 42mm version (5G-capable models cost more) and launches September 19th.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Built for Extremes

Apple’s rugged adventure watch just leveled up. The Ultra 3 looks familiar but packs the largest display Apple has ever put on a Watch. Its always-on display can now drop down to 1Hz refresh rate, letting you see every second tick by without draining the battery.

• Connectivity: 5G and satellite texting support mean you can send a message even when you’re off-grid — a serious perk for hikers, sailors, and anyone who goes beyond cell towers.
• Battery Life: Up to 42 hours, the best of any Apple Watch.
• Health: Like the Series 11, it supports the new hypertension notifications, pending FDA approval.

The Ultra 3 is clearly aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need durability, connectivity, and endurance in one package. It launches September 19th at $799 (KES 103,470.50).

Apple Watch SE 3: Budget-Friendly but Better

Finally, Apple gave some love to its entry-level model. The Apple Watch SE 3 marks the first major hardware refresh since 2022.

• Processor: Upgraded to the S10 chip, delivering smoother performance and efficiency.
• Display: For the first time, the SE gets an always-on display, a feature that used to be reserved for pricier models.
• Health & Sensors: It now includes temperature sensors for ovulation tracking and general wellness insights.
• Audio: A small but welcome addition — playback through the built-in speaker, so you can listen to music or podcasts without Bluetooth earbuds.
• Connectivity: Like its siblings, the SE 3 also has 5G support.

With a starting price of $249 (KES 32,151.19), the SE 3 is positioned as the most accessible entry point into Apple’s ecosystem, but with far fewer compromises than before.

AirPods Pro 3

Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 may look familiar, but they come with meaningful upgrades:

Release: September 19th (preorders open now)

Heart Rate Sensor: Apple’s smallest ever, for basic vitals tracking

Durability: IP57 water + dust resistance

Live Translation: Hold both stems to translate speech live (in-ear + on-screen text)

Sound: Stronger ANC (4x better than OG Pros, 2x better than last-gen) + improved bass thanks to new vents

Fit: Ships with 5 different ear tip sizes

Price: $249 (KES 32,151.19)

Writer’s Take

The iPhone Air stole the spotlight as a surprisingly capable, ultra-thin device that feels like more than just a design experiment (even though the trend seems to be catching on). The Pro models continue to be powerhouses for creators and heavy users, while the standard iPhone 17 finally gets 120Hz — a long overdue win.