Below, we have recapped eight new features coming with the AirPods Pro 3, which are available to pre-order now, ahead of a Friday, September 19 launch.
2× more active noise cancellation: Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 2× more active noise cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2, and up to 4× more than the original AirPods Pro. In fact, the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones, according to Apple.
Improved sound quality: AirPods Pro 3 feature a new acoustic architecture, with next-generation Adaptive EQ, that "transforms the bass response, widens the soundstage so users hear every instrument, and brings vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies across music, shows, and calls," according to Apple.
Longer battery life per charge: Apple says AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. That is up from 6 hours with the AirPods Pro 2. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro 3 charging case offers up to 24 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 case provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled.
Heart rate monitoring during workouts: Like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 feature a heart rate sensor that shines pulsating infrared light to measure light absorption in blood flow. AirPods Pro 3 users can track their heart rate and calories burned, close their Move ring, and earn awards for 50 different workout types in the Fitness app on an iPhone, with no Apple Watch required.
Improved fit: Apple says AirPods Pro 3 are the "most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever." The earbuds are slightly smaller, and the external design of each ear tip was "aligned to the center of the body for increased stability."
Improved water resistance: AirPods Pro 3 have IP57-rated sweat and water resistance, up from IP54 for the AirPods Pro 2. By definition, an IP57 rating means the AirPods Pro 3 could withstand temporary immersion in up to one meter of water, but Apple's marketing only promises that they "can handle the sweatiest workouts and even a sudden downpour."
U2 chip: No, the AirPods Pro 3 do not come with a free U2 album, but the charging case does feature Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, allowing the Precision Finding feature to work at a 1.5× longer distance in the Find My app. You will need an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air for this.
XXS ear tip option: AirPods Pro 3 come with new XXS silicone ear tips, along with the same XS, S, M, L sizes included with the AirPods Pro 2. Apple says the tips are now infused with foam for greater passive noise isolation.
The AirPods Pro 3 have an updated design that Apple says is more ergonomic, and new ear tips that are supposed to be better at eliminating ambient sound.
Apple included new ear tips that fuse a thin layer of soft foam microspheres to a silicone shell for better passive noise isolation.
The ear tips come in five sizes, including XXS, XS, S, M, and L, The smaller XXS size wasn't available with the AirPods Pro 2.
The new foam ear tips, the wider range of size options, improved computational audio, and the design changes to make the earbuds fit more ergonomically in the ear all help to make the AirPods Pro 3 2x better at Active Noise Cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2.
Apple is still selling the AirPods Pro 3 for $249, but there is no longer a USB-C charging cable inside, so the company is saving a bit of cash with this model. The AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order and will launch on Friday, September 19.
The new Apple Watch lineup is now available to pre-order. With more feature parity than ever before across the models, understanding the differences is more important ever before.
All three of the new Apple Watches feature the S10 chip, always-on displays, sleep score, and media playback, but there are still some significant differences between the two devices.
The Apple Watch SE is designed to be a low-cost option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years, while the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a more feature-rich experience with additional health monitoring capabilities. The Apple Watch Ultra focuses on withstanding extreme environments, a high level of durability, extended battery life, and additional features to aid activities like diving and exploration.
With as little as $50 between the 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, some prospective customers will be weighing up whether it is worth spending a little extra to get the 49mm Ultra model. While there is a $400 difference between the GPS-only 42mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, the high-end model offers a set of features to address specific challenges, so it may even be worth it for some of these buyers.
This guide outlines all of the differences between the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to help you decide which is best for you.
Sizes and Weights
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Height
44mm (44mm case)
40mm (40mm case)
46mm (46mm case)
42mm (42mm case)
49mm
Width
38mm (44mm case)
34mm (40mm case)
39mm (46mm case)
36mm (42mm case)
44mm
Depth
10.7mm
9.7mm
12mm
Weight
32.9g (GPS, 44mm)
33.0g (GPS + Cellular, 44mm)
26.3g (GPS, 40mm)
26.4g (GPS + Cellular, 40mm)
37.8g (aluminum, GPS, 46mm)
36.9g (aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 46mm)
43.1g (titanium, 46mm)
30.3g (aluminum, GPS, 42mm)
29.7g (aluminum, GPS + Cellular, 42mm)
34.6g (titanium, 42mm)
61.6g (natural titanium)
61.8g (black titanium)
Designs
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
40mm or 44mm case size
42mm or 46mm case size
49mm case size
Anodized aluminum case
Anodized or polished aluminum and polished titanium casing options
Blasted titanium case
Curved display
Curved display with refractive edge
Flat display
80% recycled steel in the speaker and Taptic Engine
Apple Watch Hermès edition available
Apple Watch Hermès edition available
Available in Starlight and Midnight
Aluminum: Available in Rose Gold, Space Gray, and polished Jet Black
Titanium: Available in Natural, Gold, and Slate
Durability
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Design based on Apple Watch Series 4
Design based on Apple Watch Series 10, including a thinner casing, more rounded edges, and a wider aspect ratio
Same design as previous Apple Watch Ultra models
Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casing
Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casing
Corrosion resistant case with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal
Nylon composite and sapphire crystal back
Metal and sapphire crystal back
Ceramic and sapphire crystal back
Water resistant up to 50m
Water resistant up to 50m
Water resistant up to 100m
EN13319 certification
Certified IP6X dust resistance
Certified IP6X dust resistance
Tested to MIL-STD 810H
Displays
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 1,000 nits brightness
Up to 2,000 nits brightness
Up to 3,000 nits brightness
2 nits minimum brightness
1 nit minimum brightness
1 nit minimum brightness
OLED
Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
LTPO
LTPO3 for faster refresh rate in always-on mode
LTPO3 for faster refresh rate in always-on mode
Health Features
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Second-generation optical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor
Hypertension notifications
Hypertension notifications
Electrical heart sensor
Electrical heart sensor
ECG app
ECG app
Blood Oxygen app
Blood Oxygen app
Battery Life and Charging
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 18-hour battery life
Up to 24-hour battery life
Up to 42-hour battery life
Up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 8 hours
Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 8 hours
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours
Always-on altimeter with expanded operating range from –500m to 9000m
Satellite connectivity
Emergency SOS via satellite
Single microphone with voice isolation
Single microphone with voice isolation
Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
Single speaker
Single speaker
Dual speakers
86-decibel Siren to attract attention
Prices
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11 (Aluminum)
Apple Watch Series 11 (Titanium)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
GPS
$249 (40mm)
$279 (44mm)
$399 (42mm)
$429 (46mm)
GPS + Cellular
$299 (40mm)
$329 (44mm)
$499 (42mm)
$529 (46mm)
$699 (42mm)
$749 (46mm)
$799
Which One Should You Choose?
SE 3 vs. Series 11
The Apple Watch Series 11 is a minor improvement over the previous Series 10 model, offering a 5G connectivity and longer battery life. Yet compared to the Apple Watch SE 3, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a noticeably more feature-rich device with advanced capabilities.
With its larger display, additional health monitoring features, and range of colors and finishes, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the model of choice for those who want more out of their smartwatch. If you feel that the added health monitoring features or longer battery life would be particularly beneficial to you, or simply like a specific casing and color combination not available with the Apple Watch SE 3, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the best model for you.
If you are on a budget and are not particularly attracted to the additional features of the Series 11, the Apple Watch SE 3 is still a compelling option. As it shares many key features with the Apple Watch Series 11, many customers will be happy choosing the more inexpensive model, unless you particularly value features such as the larger display or advanced health monitoring and can justify the added cost.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is an ideal device for kids and senior citizens who do not have an iPhone thanks to Family Setup, but it is also the go-to model for most customers who are new to the Apple Watch and those who are upgrading from an older device due to its competitive pricing and generous feature set, allowing users to get a balanced Apple Watch experience at a low price.
Series 11 vs. Ultra 3
The Apple Watch Ultra offers specific capabilities to address the requirements of those who need their Apple Watch to provide assistance in challenging environments. If you need a more durable Apple Watch with features like a brighter display, louder speakers, a more reliable GPS, better water resistance, and more, the Apple Watch Ultra is undoubtedly the best choice. The Apple Watch Ultra is clearly better equipped to handle tasks like hiking, diving, and navigation.
The Apple Watch Ultra is also biggest and most feature-rich Apple Watch option available, not to mention that it offers the first true redesign of the device since its introduction in 2015. For technology enthusiasts, Apple Watch Ultra represents a way to get a new Apple Watch experience with top specifications in several key areas. Features like longer battery life, a brighter display, and the Action button are also highly accessible, and will be beneficial to all users. As such, some customers may still be inclined to choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 over the Apple Watch Series 11, even if they do not need it for use in challenging environments.
As the largest Apple Watch model to date, the size of the Apple Watch Ultra will not be for everyone. If you already prefer the 41mm or 42mm Apple Watch casing size, the Apple Watch Ultra may be far too large for you. If in doubt, it may be worth heading to an Apple Store and trying on the Apple Watch Ultra in person to get to grips with the size and determine if it is too big and bulky for you.
Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra's look may not appeal to some buyers. If you prefer the idea of a polished finish and are looking for a more fashion-focused smartwatch that pairs well with premium bands, the more aggressive, rugged design of the Apple Watch Ultra may not be for you.
If the Apple Watch Ultra is out of your price range but you still want to use your Apple Watch in challenging environments, it is worth bearing in mind that the Series 11 still offers a durable design with a strong front crystal, water resistance, and many of the Apple Watch Ultra's software features like waypoint marking.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a lot to offer, especially for the subset of users who can take advantage of all of its capabilities, so it is certainly worth considering when purchasing a new model, but the Apple Watch Series 11 is still a compelling all-around option that comes in at a lower price point with a subtler design.
Apple tweaked the design of the AirPods Pro 3, changing the fit of the tips in the ears and bringing some updates to the case. On the whole, the AirPods Pro 3 look a lot like the AirPods Pro 2, but there are some differences to be aware of.
Earbud Design
Apple reengineered the AirPods Pro 3 using more than 10,000 ear scans and more than 100,000 hours of user research.
Apple says internal architecture was revamped to make each AirPod slightly smaller, and the external geometry of the ear tip was aligned to the center of the body to improve stability. Basically, the ear tips are now rotated inward.
The shape is meant to better fit into the ear canal, improving sound isolation and ensuring that the AirPods Pro stay in place during workouts.
When it comes to actual size, there are a couple changes. The AirPods Pro 3 are the same height as the AirPods Pro 2, so the stem isn't any shorter. Width is now 19.2mm, down from 21.8mm, so they're a little bit slimmer. They're also deeper, though, measuring 27mm, up from 24mm. Weight increased too, so the AirPods Pro 3 are 5.55 grams, while the AirPods Pro 2 were 5.3 grams.
Charging Case
There were rumors that Apple would slim down the AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case, like it did with the AirPods 4 Charging Case last year.
That didn't happen. The AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case is actually larger than before. It measures in at 1.86 inches tall (up from 1.78 inches), 2.45 inches wide (up from 2.39 inches), and 0.86 inches deep (up from 0.85 inches). It's not as heavy, weighing 1.55 ounces, down from 1.79 ounces.
AirPods Pro 2 on left, AirPods Pro 3 on right
The case for the AirPods Pro 3 has an attachment point for a lanyard, along with a capacitive pairing button and an invisible LED that only shows up when the case is opened or charging.
Battery life for the earbuds themselves is up, but the charging case doesn't last as long. Apple says it provides up to 24 hours of charging time, but the AirPods Pro 2 case provided up to 30 hours of listening time.
You can pre-order the AirPods Pro 3 now, and the earbuds will launch on September 19. Pricing is still $249.
While the AirPods Pro 2 included a USB-C charging cable in the box, the AirPods Pro 3 unveiled on Tuesday come without one, according to Apple's website.
The case for the AirPods Pro 3 can be wirelessly charged with MagSafe, Qi, and Apple Watch chargers, so a charging cable is not strictly required.
AirPods Pro 3 also ship without a charger, but that has been the case since the original AirPods Pro launched in 2019, so that is no surprise.
In the U.S., AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249, just like the AirPods Pro 2 were. However, while there was no price increase, Apple is now poised to earn some extra revenue from additional sales of USB-C charging cables.
AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, and they launch on Friday, September 19. Read our coverage of Apple's announcement to learn about new features, including improved sound quality, increased active noise cancellation, longer battery life, better fit, in-ear heart rate monitoring during workouts, and much more.
Apple made the visionOS 26 release candidate available to Vision Pro developers on Tuesday, and one of the more interesting additions in this version is a new Jupiter environment.
Apple previewed the Jupiter environment for WWDC attendees in June, but this is the first time that Vision Pro owners have been able to try it out for themselves in the comfort of their own home.
In visionOS 26, the Morning Light environment has made way for Jupiter, which needs to be downloaded first to experience it.
Jupiter is the fastest rotating planet in our solar system, with a day that is only 10 hours long, and Apple gives you a taste of it thanks to a new "Explore Jupiter" option that makes this Environment more interactive than others.
Your actual perspective in the environment is from one of Jupiter's inner moons called Amalthea, and you can speed up time to watch the sunlight break across Jupiter as enormous storms swirl across its surface.
A new interface lets you select from the times of day to see how lighting and moon alignments shift over time. Options include Dawn, Sunrise, Afternoon, Sunset, and Night. There's also a slider that you can use to cycle through the time of day.
However, if you just sit and watch the scene at normal pace, you can actually see Jupiter's Great Red Spot – the largest and longest-lasting storm in our solar system – ever-so-gradually swirling in the distance. It's pretty spectacular.
In case you were wondering how realistic the planet is portrayed, the imagery Apple has used is from NASA, so it's as authentic as one can hope for. It's an interesting new take on the Environment concept, and one that Apple is likely to explore further in future updates.
visionOS 26 is scheduled to be released to the public on Monday, September 15.
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead.
If you are skipping the iPhone 17 Pro and want to know about what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro models, we have recapped a few of the key rumors below.
Under-Screen Face ID
In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap showing that iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID. In May 2024, however, Young said he heard this change had been delayed until 2026. If so, that means that under-screen Face ID could debut on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year.
In May 2025, The Informationalso reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would likely be equipped with under-screen Face ID.
Variable Aperture
The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on all of the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.
A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman incorrectly reported that the iPhone 17 Pro models would feature a "variable aperture system," a few days before Apple's event.
2nm A20 Pro Chip and Apple's C2 Modem
iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have an A20 Pro chip fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process, which could deliver significant performance improvements, and Apple's power-efficient C2 modem for cellular connectivity.
Apple announced the new AirPods Pro 3 this week, but if you're looking to save some money and don't mind purchasing a previous generation model, Amazon has a $50 discount on the AirPods Pro 2 right now.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $199.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is a second-best price on the 2023 earbuds, and right now only Amazon is providing this steep of a discount on the model.
The AirPods Pro 2 feature Active Noise Cancellation, personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C charging, Apple's H2 chip, and more. If you're looking to pre-order the new AirPods Pro 3, you can do that today on Amazon at the price of $249.00 ahead of the September 19 launch date.
It's also worth noting that if you pre-order the AirPods Pro 3 at Best Buy, members can get a $20 credit on their account. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
When Apple previewed watchOS 26 in June at WWDC, the company didn't reveal any new watch faces, but now we know Apple was just holding them back to show off with the new Apple Watch models that it unveiled on Tuesday.
During its "Awe dropping" event, Apple also dropped the release candidate of watchOS 26. As it turns out, there are four new watch faces included in the upcoming update, some of which you may have already seen adorning the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
According to Apple's release notes, they are as follows:
Exactograph is a modern re-imagination of a traditional regulator watch which separates out hours, minutes, and seconds for more precise timekeeping
Flow uses Liquid Glass numerals that refract a fluid orb of color that responds to your wrist movements
Waypoint acts as a live compass that shows where you are in relation to saved locations in Maps or points of interest (Available on Apple Watch Ultra)
Hermès Faubourg Party features animated shorts that appear based on the time of day or your movements, with a series of characters (Available on Apple Watch Hermès)
These faces are coming to older models too. Waypoint is exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra models, adding to the two existing Ultra faces called Wayfinder and Modular Ultra.
Meanwhile, Hermès Faubourg Party – as the name suggests – is limited to Hermès models.
That leaves Exactograph and Flow, both of which will be available to all Apple Watch models that support watchOS 26. As a reminder, the existing Photos face has also been enhanced by a new design with Liquid Glass, elevating numerals so more of your photos are visible. Apple says the watch faces can be explored more easily thanks to a redesigned watch face gallery, where faces are grouped into collections.
watchOS 26 will roll out to all users on Monday, September 15.
Based on these early results — which are unconfirmed — the A19 Pro chip across the Pro models and the iPhone Air appears to deliver up to 13% to 15% faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
On the graphics side, the A19 Pro offers more significant improvements. Based on early Metal scores in the Geekbench 6 database — also unconfirmed — the full 6-core GPU variant of the chip in the iPhone 17 Pro models is up to 40% faster than the A18 Pro's 6-core GPU. In the iPhone Air, the A19 Pro chip has a reduced 5-core GPU, and one early Metal score shows it as being around 15% faster than the A18 Pro's 6-core GPU.
In its iPhone 17 Pro press release, Apple said the A19 Pro delivers up to 40% better "sustained" performance compared to the A18 Pro:
When paired with the Apple-designed vapor chamber, A19 Pro enables iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to deliver up to 40 percent better sustained performance than the previous generation — ideal for gaming, video editing, and running large local language models. The 6-core CPU is the fastest CPU in any smartphone, and the 6-core GPU architecture includes Neural Accelerators built into each GPU core, a larger cache, and more memory than A18 Pro.
It is not entirely clear if that claim refers to CPU or GPU performance.
On its iPhone 17 Pro product page, Apple provides more realistic comparisons. There, it says the A19 Pro offers up to 20% faster CPU performance compared to the two-year-old A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models. That means the A19 Pro would offer sub-20% performance gains over the A18 Pro, so the Geekbench results showing a 13% to 15% year-over-year boost in CPU performance will likely prove to be accurate.
As always, benchmark results and real-world performance are not completely analogous.
Apple this week announced a huge collection of new products, and today we're already tracking a few notable offers you can get when pre-ordering select devices. Highlights include $20 in Best Buy credit when pre-ordering the AirPods Pro 3, and big trade-in values when purchasing the new Apple Watch Series 11.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the AirPods Pro 3, Best Buy is offering a $20 bonus reward when purchasing the new earbuds. This offer is available only for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, and the $20 reward will appear in your My Best Buy account approximately 15 days after your order is fulfilled.
Best Buy also has a few trade-in offers on the new Apple Watch Series 11 announced this week. You can get the Series 11 starting at $219 with qualifying trade-ins, plus My Best Buy Plus/Total members can save an additional 10 percent on their trade-in.
Otherwise, we aren't tracking any specific discounts on the just-announced products, but many are live and available to pre-order at both Best Buy and Amazon. All of these devices are set to launch on Friday, September 19.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple announced third-generation AirPods Pro on Tuesday at its "Awe dropping" event, and the company has discontinued AirPods Pro 2 to make room for them in its new-look lineup.
Here's how Apple's AirPods offering looks like now:
AirPods 4 – $129
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation – $179
AirPods Pro 3 – $249
AirPods Max – $549
AirPods Pro 3 have the same $249 price tag as the previous generation model, so users will be getting several new features and enhancements for the same outlay.
These include up to 2x better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC on a single charge, a new design, built-in heart rate sensing, foam-infused ear tips, Live Translation, and more.
Apple has started accepting pre-orders for AirPods Pro 3. The new devices will be delivered to customers starting on Friday, September 19. Will you be getting a pair? Let us know in the comments.
Apple's four new iPhones launch later this month, with more differences between the latest models than ever before.
Instead of the familiar split between standard and Pro models, Apple has introduced the new iPhone Air, expanded the feature gap between tiers, and refined each model to serve a clearer audience. The result is a four-device family that ranges from the affordable and practical iPhone 17 to the feature-packed iPhone 17 Pro Max, with distinct trade-offs in size, materials, camera hardware, and battery life along the way. All models share Apple's latest A19 chip platform, meaning performance is fairly consistent across the board, but their designs, display sizes, and camera features are more specialized than ever before.
This guide offers a detailed look at every difference—dimensions, design, cameras, battery life, and pricing—so you can make an informed choice. Whether you prioritize design, photography, or battery life, this year's iPhones are no longer one-size-fits-all devices, and understanding the lineup is key to choosing the best model for you and your budget.
Sizes and Weights
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Height
5.89 inches (149.6 mm)
6.15 inches (156.2 mm)
5.91 inches (150.0 mm)
6.43 inches (163.4 mm)
Width
2.81 inches (71.5 mm)
2.94 inches (74.7 mm)
2.83 inches (71.9 mm)
3.07 inches (78.0 mm)
Depth
0.31 inches (7.95 mm)
0.22 inches (5.64 mm)
0.34 inches (8.75 mm)
0.34 inches (8.75 mm)
Weight
6.24 ounces (177 grams)
5.82 ounces (165 grams)
7.27 ounces (206 grams)
8.22 ounces (233 grams)
Designs
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Anodized aluminum frame
Polished titanium frame
Anodized aluminum unibody
Anodized aluminum unibody
Camera plateau
Camera plateau
Camera plateau
Ceramic Shield front
Ceramic Shield front and back
Ceramic Shield front and back
Ceramic Shield front and back
6.3-inch display
6.5-inch display
6.3-inch display
6.9-inch display
Available in White, Black, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender
Available in Cloud White, Space Black, Sky Blue, and Light Gold
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Support for Apple MagSafe battery
Camera Hardware
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Dual rear cameras
Single rear camera
Triple rear cameras
Triple rear cameras
48-megapixel ultra wide camera
48-megapixel ultra wide camera
48-megapixel ultra wide camera
48-megapixel telephoto camera
48-megapixel telephoto camera
0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options
1x and 2x optical zoom options
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom options
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom options
LiDAR Scanner
LiDAR Scanner
True Tone flash
True Tone flash
Adaptive True Tone flash
Adaptive True Tone flash
Camera Features
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Macro photography
Macro photography
Macro photography
Spatial photos
Spatial photos
Spatial photos
ProRAW
ProRAW
Cinematic mode
Cinematic mode
Cinematic mode
ProRes video recording
ProRes video recording
ProRes RAW
ProRes RAW
Academy Color Encoding System
Academy Color Encoding System
Apple Log 2 video recording
Apple Log 2 video recording
Genlock support
Genlock support
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fps
Slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fps
Slo‑mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps
Slo‑mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps
Performance
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 chip
A19 Pro chip
A19 Pro chip
A19 Pro chip
5-core GPU
5-core GPU
6-core GPU
6-core GPU
Vapor chamber cooling
Vapor chamber cooling
8GB memory
12GB memory
12GB memory
12GB memory
Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem
Apple C1X modem
Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem
Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem
Other Differences
iPhone 17
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Stereo speakers
Mono speaker
Stereo speakers
Stereo speakers
Studio-quality four-mic array
Studio-quality four-mic array
USB-C (USB 2)
USB-C (USB 2)
USB-C (USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers)
USB-C (USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers)
256GB or 512GB storage
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
Pricing
256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB
iPhone 17
$799
$999
iPhone Air
$999
$1,199
$1,399
iPhone 17 Pro
$1,099
$1,299
$1,499
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$1,199
$1,399
$1,599
$1,999
Which One Should You Choose?
Apple's latest iPhone lineup is more segmented than ever, with clear distinctions in size, design, and hardware to suit different needs. All four models share the same core performance, so your choice comes down to priorities like design, camera versatility, and price.
iPhone 17: Best for those who need a good, practical all-round iPhone at an affordable price.
iPhone Air: Best for those who want the thinnest and lightest iPhone in a groundbreaking new premium design with a medium-sized display, but are willing to accept noticeable compromises on camera features, battery life, charging speed, and speakers.
iPhone 17 Pro: Best for those who want the versatile new 48-megapixel telephoto camera and a large range of additional camera features and hardware in a smaller package, along with better mics and faster USB speeds.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Best for "pro" users who need the rich feature set of the iPhone 17 Pro, but with the largest possible display, battery life, and storage.
The iPhone 17 should be the default option for most users, with the ability to move up to the Air as a design-led option, the Pro as a creator-focused device, and the Pro Max delivering everything in the largest format.
Pre-orders of the new iPhone lineup open on Friday, September 12, with launch on Friday, September 19.
Apple has added a "groundbreaking" new memory security feature to its new iPhone 17 lineup called Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE), which the company describes as "the most significant upgrade to memory safety in the history of consumer operating systems."
The new security feature targets spyware tools like Pegasus that exploit vulnerabilities to hack targeted devices. According to Apple, MIE provides comprehensive, always-on memory-safety protection covering the kernel and over 70 userland processes, built on the Enhanced Memory Tagging Extension (EMTE).
The new feature is supported by the new A19 and A19 Pro chips found across the iPhone 17 lineup as well as the iPhone Air. Apple says it has also added memory safety improvements for older hardware that doesn't support the new memory tagging features. In addition, Apple is making EMTE available to all Apple developers in Xcode as part of the new Enhanced Security feature that the company released earlier this year during WWDC.
The approach includes mitigation for Spectre V1 attacks that Apple claims works with "virtually zero CPU cost," addressing performance concerns that have plagued similar security features in the past. Apple says these changes make "mercenary spyware" significantly more expensive to develop, and present a major challenge to the surveillance industry.
Based on our evaluations pitting Memory Integrity Enforcement against exceptionally sophisticated mercenary spyware attacks from the last three years, we believe MIE will make exploit chains significantly more expensive and difficult to develop and maintain, disrupt many of the most effective exploitation techniques from the last 25 years, and completely redefine the landscape of memory safety for Apple products.
For in-depth information about the new MIE security feature, readers should refer to Apple's Security Research blog.
Spotify has officially rolled out lossless audio streaming to Premium subscribers after years of delays. The feature, which was first promised in 2021, is gradually becoming available in 50 markets including the US, UK, Australia, and Germany.
Thankfully, Spotify includes lossless streaming at no additional cost for existing Premium members. That's particularly good news, since early rumors suggested Spotify would offer lossless as a higher-priced tier. Not so.
This probably has something to do with the fact that in the intervening years Apple decided to include lossless audio as part of its regular Apple Music subscription at no additional cost. Shortly after, Amazon Music, which previously charged extra for its HD tier, matched the move.
Spotify Premium users will receive in-app notifications when the feature becomes available and can enable it through the media quality settings. A lossless indicator also appears in the Now Playing bar when streaming high-quality audio. Spotify says nearly every song on the streaming service will be available in lossless, with a clearly labelled 'Lossless' symbol.
The service supports 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC files, though this falls short of Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz, which offer up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The lossless quality being played also appears in the Connect Picker for compatible hardware, which includes devices from Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser at launch, with Sonos and Amazon integration expected next month.
Spotify says the lossless rollout will continue over the next two months across all supported regions. First reports that Spotify was working on a lossless audio version of its streaming service appeared almost eight years ago, when the company started testing the option with a small group of users.
Apple has announced Final Cut Camera 2.0, adding ProRes RAW recording and genlock sync support for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The free app update makes Apple's high-end iPhone 17 models the first smartphones that can shoot ProRes RAW.
ProRes RAW captures unprocessed data straight from the camera sensor, giving editors more flexibility when color grading and adjusting footage later. The format also takes up less storage space than other RAW video formats while maintaining quality.
The 2.0 update adds open gate recording, which uses the full camera sensor to capture more of the scene than standard 4K. The extra footage makes it easier to crop, stabilize, or change aspect ratios without losing image quality.
Meanwhile, Genlock support lets multiple iPhone 17 Pro devices record in perfect sync with each other and with professional cameras. The feature eliminates the need to manually align footage frame-by-frame during editing. Blackmagic Design's Camera ProDock already works with the new genlock feature.
The app now also supports manual controls for the redesigned front camera on all iPhone 17 models. The square sensor is larger than before and can shoot horizontal or vertical video without rotating the phone.
Additional new features for Final Cut Camera 2.0 mentioned by Apple include:
Support for Apple Log 2, giving users the ability to record in an even wider color gamut in ProRes or HEVC with iPhone 17 Pro. Users can apply the Log 2 LUT in Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac to view and edit their footage with the vibrancy of the original scene.
The ability to enable Timecode with options like Time of Day, Record Run, or external timecode for precise identification of footage during post-production.
Support for video capture using the new 200 mm Telephoto camera using ProRes up to 4K60 fps on iPhone 17 Pro for even more framing options.
Elsewhere, Final Cut Pro 11.2 and Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.3 will add tools specifically for editing iPhone ProRes RAW footage, including exposure and color temperature controls.
Final Cut Camera 2.0 will be available later this month as a free download or update on the App Store. Final Cut Camera 2.0 requires iPhone Xs or later running iOS 18.6 or later, with some features requiring iOS 26 or iPhone 17 Pro.
On iPhone, the tool helps calibrate replacement parts including back glass, battery, display, TrueDepth camera, and rear camera components. On Mac, Repair Assistant will enable Touch ID and Lid Angle sensors to be reused after Display or Logic Board repairs on select models. Touch ID sensors will use Activation Lock for protection.
macOS Tahoe and Apple silicon are required by the utility. Users can access Repair Assistant through System Settings ➝ General ➝ About, where a "Parts & Service" section appears after recognized repairs.
Apple plans to make genuine Mac parts available to independent repair professionals through MobileSentrix and Mobileparts.shop later this year. The update supports the company's Self Service Repair program by allowing previously replaced, uncalibrated parts to meet Apple's reliability standards.
Apple says macOS Tahoe will officially launch on September 15.
Apple unveiled its new TechWoven cases for iPhone 17 during yesterday's "Awe dropping" event, but the company hasn't completely abandoned FineWoven.
In fact, the material is still very much part of Apple's lineup, with a new collection of FineWoven MagSafe wallets and AirTag key rings designed to pair with the latest iPhone models and available in multiple colors, including Fox Orange, Midnight Purple, Navy, Moss, and Black.
The new wallets are available for $59, while the new AirTag key rings cost $35.
Apple discontinued its ill-received FineWoven cases for iPhones in 2024. FineWoven was heavily criticized for its poor performance in comparison to the former leather cases that Apple used to offer. Apple replaced leather in 2023 in order to be more environmentally friendly, but people quickly found that the FineWoven cases were quick to get dirty and began to fray.
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