The budget-conscious Apple Watch SE 3 features an S10 chip, an always-on display, a new Sleep Score feature, Double Tap gesture support, wrist temperature sensing for retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, fast charging support, 5G support on cellular configurations, on-device Siri, and many other improvements.
Here is how the new Sleep Score feature works, according to Apple:
Sleep quality is influenced by several factors, such as sleep duration, bedtime consistency, how often a person wakes up, and how much time is spent in each sleep stage. With sleep score, Apple Watch helps track each of these categories to offer users a transparent and easy-to-understand metric for their overall sleep quality. After each night, sleep score provides an overall score and classification in the Sleep app on Apple Watch, plus a clear breakdown of the most critical components so users know what to prioritize to improve their sleep.
Apple Watch SE 3 is available in Starlight and Midnight, in 40mm and 44mm sizes. In the U.S., pricing starts at $249. Pre-orders begin today, ahead of a Friday, September 19 launch.
With watchOS 26, which will be released on Monday, September 15, the Apple Watch SE will support the new Workout Buddy feature powered by Apple Intelligence.
Apple today announced the Apple Watch Series 11, featuring hypertension detection, Sleep Score, 5G connectivity, and more.
The Apple Watch Series 11 features improved Ion-X front crystal with 2x better scratch resistance thanks to a new Apple-designed ceramic coating that hardens the surface. Titanium models continue to feature sapphire front crystal.
The Apple Watch Series 11 features the same S10 chip as the Series 10, but 5G connectivity is available on cellular models for the first time, delivering faster connectivity with greater throughput. A redesigned cellular antenna covers mode bands and simultaneously engages the two system antennas when needed, significantly increasing the signal strength, especially in areas with weak coverage.
The Apple Watch Series 11 offers 24 hours of battery life, a significant increase over the 18 hours of previous generations. It also supports fast charging, with just 15 minutes providing up to eight hours of battery life.
Hypertension detection will notify you if the Apple Watch detects signals of high blood pressure over time. Apple says it won't detect all instances of hypertension, but it expect to notify more than 1 million people of unknown hypertension in the first year. Apple is expecting approval from the FDA and other regulators.
The system uses data from the optical heart sensor to analyze how a user's blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. The algorithm works passively in the background reviewing data over 30-day periods.
A new "Sleep Score" feature provides insights into sleep quality at a glance, helping users to aim for a more restorative sleep. It is determined by sleep duration, bedtime consistency, how often you wake up, and how long you spend in each sleep stage. Sleep Score provides a clear breakdown of the most critical components of a sleep, so users know what to prioritize to improve.
The Apple Watch Series 11 continues to be available in 42mm and 46mm casing sizes, and with both Wi-Fi only and cellular-enabled models. Aluminum models are available in Jet Black, Silver, Rose Gold, and Space Gray, while polished titanium cases come in Natural, Gold, and Slate. Prices continue to start at $399 and pre-orders begin today, with launch on Friday, September 19.
Apple today announced the AirPods Pro 3 during its "Awe Dropping" event at Apple Park. The new AirPods Pro 3 feature better Active Noise Cancellation, better in-ear fit, upgraded audio, and IP57 sweat and water resistance.
Specifically, Apple said that AirPods Pro 3 feature 2x better ANC than AirPods Pro 2, and 4x better ANC than the original AirPods Pro. The new model also provides up to ten hours of music playback in Transparency mode, which is a 67 percent increase over the previous generation. With ANC active, AirPods Pro 3 get up to eight hours of playback.
One major new feature is a new custom-built heart rate sensor and integrated workout experience. With just AirPods Pro 3 and an iPhone, users can track their heart rate and calories burned during workouts, and even close their Move ring and earn awards in the Fitness app.
In terms of the design, the new AirPods Pro 3 are slightly smaller than AirPods Pro 2, while the external geometry of the ear tip was aligned to the center of the body for increased stability. There are new foam-infused ear tips that come in five sizes to ensure the AirPods Pro 3 fit better in everyone's ears.
The new model also supports live translation, which automatically translates foreign languages for you in real time using Apple Intelligence. This feature is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with more languages to come by the end of the year.
AirPods Pro 3 is priced at $249 and will be up for pre-order today, with a launch on Friday, September 19.
There have been multiple rumors about the Crossbody Strap, which would be a magnetic lanyard that can attach to Apple's own iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro cases. The lanyard would let you "wear" your iPhone around your neck, which is an increasingly popular trend due to the rise of smartphone pickpocketing in major cities.
Uncle Pan has shared some accurate information about Apple accessories in the past.
We will find out if these colors are legitimate in just minutes from now. Watch this space.
We're now less than an hour out from Apple's event, where it is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, new Apple Watch models, AirPods Pro 3, and potentially more.
At the last minute, the account Ice Universe on Chinese platform Weibo has revealed up to six potential color options for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and likely the iPhone 17 Pro.
The color options appear to be Black, Silver, Gray, Gold, Blue, and Orange, but there would likely be official marketing names for the finishes, such as Starlight and so forth.
Apple's "Awe Dropping" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the iPhone 17 lineup, several updated Apple Watch models, and the third-generation AirPods Pro unveiled, and perhaps some other announcements.
Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating this article with live blog coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the event unfolds. Highlights from the event and separate news stories regarding today's announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.
Apple's "Awe Dropping" media event kicks off at 10:00 am Pacific Time today with members of the media in attendance for what is expected to be another pre-recorded presentation. We know that some MacRumors readers who can't follow the event as it's being broadcast are interested in avoiding all of the announcements and waiting until the event video is available for on-demand viewing so as to experience it without already knowing the outcome.
For those individuals, we've posted this news story, which will be updated with a direct link to the presentation once it becomes available from Apple. No other news stories or announcements will be displayed alongside this story.
Apple's recent virtual events have been made available to view almost immediately following the conclusion of the broadcasts, and we expect similar timing for today's event.
Users waiting for the video to be posted are welcome to gather in the thread associated with this news story, and we ask that those who follow the events as they occur refrain from making any posts about Apple's announcements in this thread.
Firefox for iOS 26 will get a new "Shake to Summarize" feature that generates an AI summary of a webpage when iPhone users shake their device. The feature uses the on-device language models that power Apple Intelligence, but it isn't limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
On older devices that don't support Apple Intelligence, the feature defaults to Mozilla's cloud-based AI, which creates a summary and then sends it back to iPhone. Here's how it works:
Shake your device.
Tap the thunderbolt icon in the address bar.
Or, from the menu, tap the three dots, then tap Summarize Page.
The announcement makes Firefox one of the first major third-party apps to integrate with Apple Intelligence. The feature can be disabled to avoid unintended summaries, and it only works on webpages containing up to 5,000 words.
Firefox says Shake to Summarize starts rolling out this week in the U.S. for English-language users, with more languages and regions to follow.
Apple will launch new MacBook Pro models featuring OLED displays next year, according to Korea's The Elec.
The OLED display panels for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro are reportedly set to be produced by Samsung Display; it is believed to be the sole supplier of the new displays.
Panel production will apparently begin in the second quarter of 2026, but some components will start production in the first quarter. Prototypes will start to be made at Samsung's Gen 8 OLED factory A6 later this year.
Apple is said to be looking for ways to lower the costs of some of the components. Samsung has apparently developed some new parts for the panels, but if they do not meet the specific characteristics that Apple desires, there could be delays.
The initial production volume is believed to be around two to three million units. Samsung can manufacture up to 10 million units per year if necessary.
Compared to current MacBook Pro models with mini-LED screens, benefits of OLED technology could include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more.
The new machines will launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, which runs from October to December. The report is the latest corroboration of Apple's plan to release a significant revamp of the MacBook Pro next year.
B&H Photo today introduced a few steep discounts on Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro, with up to $450 in savings on select models. These deals are part of B&H Photo's daily "Deal Zone" specials, meaning they will disappear after 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with B&H Photo. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Discounts include the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM/512GB SSD for $1,399.00, as well as the model with 32GB RAM/512GB SSD for $1,599.00. Both of these represent $400 discounts on each computer and are all-time low prices.
Finally, B&H Photo also has the 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM/1TB SSD for $1,749.00, which is a $450 discount on this model. All of these models are in stock and have an estimated delivery date of around September 12 for most U.S. residences.
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.
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Just hours ahead of Apple's special event, Best Buy has seemingly suggested that AirPods Pro 3 will be available to order starting today.
Best Buy's website is already offering My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members in the U.S. a $20 reward for AirPods Pro 3, before they are even announced by Apple. The offer will be valid starting September 9, which suggests the AirPods Pro 3 will be unveiled at Apple's event and made available to order immediately afterwards.
MacRumors has confirmed the offer page exists, after it was shared on Reddit. The page does not reveal any AirPods Pro 3 features or pricing information.
AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to include a heart rate monitoring feature, which was already introduced on the Powerbeats Pro 2 earlier this year. Other expectations include design changes for an improved fit in the ear, and a smaller charging case.
Leaked renders and specs for Apple's unreleased Powerbeats Fit have been leaked online, following Apple's teaser of the new small in-ear earbuds last month.
The colors shown in the below image are officially named Spark Orange, Gravel Gray, Jet Black, and Power Pink. The details come courtesy of longtime leaker Evan Blass.
Blass also shared the following feature list for the Powerbeats Fit:
High-performance earbuds for working out, with universal secure-fit wingtips
Powered by the Apple H1 chip
Active Noise Cancelling
IPX4 sweat and water resistance
Up to 30 hours of battery life
7 hours per bud on one charge
Transparency mode
Adaptive EQ
Personalized Spatial Audio
Four ear tip sizes
The Powerbeats Fit appear to lack the heart-rate sensing feature currently exclusive to the Powerbeats Pro 2 – though we are expecting the feature to appear in AirPods Pro 3 when Apple unveils them, likely this week.
Apple previously said the Powerbeats Fit are coming in fall 2025, so they may well appear for sale on Apple's official online store when it returns after the conclusion of Apple's "Awe dropping" iPhone-centric event later today.
Apple's online storefront has gone down ahead of the "Awe dropping" Apple event taking place later today, where several new products are expected to be announced.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models, as well as Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. The company should also announce the release dates of its next major software updates including iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of today's Apple event, which kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, including a live blog on our website and posts via @MacRumorsLive on X. For a full rundown of everything we expect to see, be sure to check out our guide.
Apple today will unveil a third-generation Apple Watch Ultra with a bigger screen, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The reporter has not divulged the size of the new display, but MacRumors independently discovered the new dimensions in a recent iOS 26 beta.
An image made for the new watch was found to have a resolution of 422 x 514 pixels – higher than the current Ultra 2's 410 x 502 panel. The larger resolution suggests Apple has trimmed bezel width to expand the viewing area without altering the watch's overall dimensions.
This should give the Ultra 3 the biggest Apple Watch display yet, enhancing readability and making better use of the rugged design's expansive front surface.
Beyond the new display dimension, the Ultra 3 is expected to get an improved display that brings it in line with the upgrade that last year's Apple Watch Series 10 received. The Series 10 debuted with an LPTO3 OLED always-on Retina display, a step up from the Ultra 2's LTPO2 panel. The upgrade gives the Series 10 a faster refresh rate in always-on mode, making it possible for watch faces to feature a continuously ticking seconds hand.
In addition, Apple introduced a wide-angle OLED on the Series 10, which delivers up to 40% more brightness when viewed off-axis compared to the Ultra's OLED display. We expect the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to inherit the same capability.
Satellite messaging capabilities and 5G connectivity are also expected for the Ultra 3.
Last year, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 received a black titanium case option, but apart from that, the Ultra model has not seen any hardware upgrades since 2023. Apple is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Ultra 3 later today at its "Awe dropping" event, alongside new iPhone 17 models, Apple Watch Series 11 models, and AirPods Pro 3. Stay tuned for all the details.
Apple will tout major battery life improvements for both iPhone 17 Pro models when it unveils the new devices later today at its "Awe dropping" event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman does not go into detail about the battery improvements in what is likely his final pre-event report. However, based on information gleaned from a Chinese regulatory database, the smaller iPhone 17 Pro is expected to pack a 4,252 mAh battery in regions without a SIM card tray, representing an 18.7% jump over the iPhone 16 Pro's 3,582 mAh capacity.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could become the first iPhone to cross the 5,000 mAh threshold, with a rumored 5,088 mAh battery that's 8.6% larger than its predecessor.
The expected gains are the result of Apple's decision to ditch the plastic placeholder it has used in SIM-less iPhones since the iPhone 14. By reclaiming that internal space for battery cells, Apple can deliver meaningful capacity improvements without necessarily increasing device size – although one rumor claims that the Pro Max model will be marginally thicker.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to expand eSIM-only availability beyond the U.S. to include the EU and other markets, though China will likely retain physical SIM slots due to regulatory requirements.
Combined with the power efficiency improvements from the A19 Pro chip, the battery upgrades should translate to hours of additional usage time. Gurman says the iPhone 17 Pro battery life gains are a response to users' "unceasing demand for longer-lasting smartphones."
We'll find out more soon. Apple's event begins at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Event times in other time zones are listed in our how-to-watch event guide.
On the eve of Apple's special event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has listed some of the key new features he expects for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
All of those things have already been rumored, but extra corroboration is always nice, as we count down the final hours until Apple's official announcements.
The upcoming AirPods Pro 3 that Apple is expected to unveil tomorrow will not include notable improvements to audio quality or Active Noise Cancellation, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple's new earbuds will have heart rate tracking, a health-related feature that Apple first introduced with the Powerbeats Pro 2. LED optical sensors will pulse to measure heart rate using blood flow, and if the AirPods Pro 3 work like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the data will sync with popular fitness apps.
The AirPods Pro 3 will also feature an updated design for a better fit, though there are no details on what exactly is going to change. The case is also going to be slimmed down, and it will be smaller like the AirPods 4 case.
News of no significant changes to ANC or audio quality is disappointing. There were some rumors of "much better" Active Noise Cancellation and Gurman himself said the AirPods would include a new H3 chip. New chips typically mean improvements to audio quality and ANC, and we could still get some small boosts, but it sounds like most of the focus will be on the new health feature.
It's almost time for the September 9 Apple event, and last minute rumors have been trickling in. For a quick catch up, we've recapped the new information that we've heard over the last few days.
Battery
Alleged battery capacities for the iPhone 17 models were spotted in a Chinese regulatory database, and in the past, this database has provided accurate battery information.
iPhone 17 - 3,692 mAh
iPhone 17 Air - 3,149 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro - 4,252 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro Max - 5,088 mAh
It's worth noting that in some countries like China, there will be models with a SIM tray. iPhone 17 models that have a SIM tray will have slightly smaller battery capacities, and the battery capacities above are for the non-SIM models that will be sold in countries like the United States.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to be the first iPhone that has a battery over 5,000 mAh, and it could have the longest ever battery life that we've seen in an iPhone. There's also going to be an impressive year-over-year battery increase for the iPhone 17 Pro.
It doesn't look like the iPhone 17 will offer much of an improvement over the iPhone 16, and of course, the iPhone 17 Air has the lowest capacity of the bunch. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the other models in terms of real-world battery life, because Apple may be using a denser silicone-anode battery that provides more energy in a smaller package.
SIM Trays
There have been multiple rumors suggesting that the iPhone 17 Air won't have the space for a SIM tray, which would prevent it from launching in China. iPhones sold in China are required to have a physical SIM tray, and carriers in the country do not support eSIM technology for smartphones.
The recent battery database leak mentions a variant of the iPhone 17 Air with a SIM tray, so it looks like information suggesting that the iPhone 17 Air won't be available in China could be inaccurate.
It would be surprising for Apple not to offer its flagship ultra thin device in China where it's likely to sell well.
Apple phased out SIM trays in the U.S. with the iPhone 14 launch. In most other countries aside from China, iPhones include both a SIM tray and an eSIM, but that could change this year. Rumors suggest that SIM-free iPhones will expand to more countries.
Thicker iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is going to measure in at 8.725mm thick, making it thicker than the 8.25mm iPhone 16 Pro Max. The extra space could allow for a larger battery and rumored camera features like an adjustable aperture. The iPhone 17 Pro Max will be about five percent thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most people probably won't notice the increase.
A thicker chassis and a bigger battery typically means a higher weight, but Apple is transitioning to aluminum instead of titanium and replacing some of the glass at the back with aluminum, so overall weight could be the same or lower.
iPhone 17 Lanyard
We've seen leaked iPhone 17 cases that have a spot where a lanyard can connect, and an image of the accessory surfaced over the weekend.
The image features a long crossbody strap in bright orange color that might match the iPhone 17 Pro. Both iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to come in an orange shade along with dark blue, black, and white.
The strap has a flexible metal core and uses magnetic attachment points to connect to the iPhone case.
iPhone 17 Pro Design
Last Friday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanclarified iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max design rumors. The two smartphones are expected to be made from aluminum, but with a new cutout area on the bottom two thirds of the device. The cutout will be made from glass, and it will enable wireless charging.
This updated design has been rumored for months now, but it's useful to get some clarification on the half-aluminum half-glass rumors.
Sketchy Dynamic Island Rumors
On Friday, a leaker who claims to work for a company making iPhone screen protectors said the iPhone 17 Dynamic Island is 1.5cm, down from 2cm in the iPhone 16 models.
There have been some mixed rumors of changes to the Dynamic Island over the iPhone 17 rumor cycle, but reliable sources have suggested the Dynamic Island is the same. A change to the Dynamic Island is possible, but unlikely, and this rumor is on the sketchier side.
Most screen protectors do not include cutouts for the Dynamic Island, and it's not clear if that information would have been included with CAD renders sourced by accessory makers ahead of the iPhone 17's launch.
AirPods Pro 3
In a somewhat confusing last minute AirPods Pro 3 rumor, a reliable leaker said that Apple plans to release two versions of the AirPods Pro 3. There will be a standard version and a higher-end variant with an infrared camera for gesture controls, but we might not hear about the higher-end model until next year.
Apple Watch SE 3 and Ultra 3 Confirmed
Last year there were rumors that Apple would refresh the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra, but that didn't happen. We're hearing the same rumors about new models this year, and it looks like they're actually coming.
A leaker with an established track record confirmed that Apple is planning to introduce Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra models tomorrow, all with an S11 chip that uses the same architecture as the current S10 chip.
Read More
For a more detailed overview on what to expect from the Apple event, make sure to check out our dedicated guide that walks through everything Apple might announce.
For those unable to watch the livestream, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account. We'll also do a much deeper dive into all the announcements after the event.
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