As the most anticipated annual event in the global tech industry, this event will unveil several major product innovations. Among them, the iPhone 17 series will undergo a major overhaul. Apple will discontinue the Plus model and introduce the all-new iPhone 17 Air, joining the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max in the four-model lineup. The iPhone 17 Air boasts an ultra-thin design, measuring just 5.5mm to 5.8mm thick. However, achieving this goal comes with significant compromises: it will only feature a single camera, offering imaging performance similar to that of the entry-level iPhone 16e, and will be the only flagship model in the series not to support spatial photo/video capture. Its battery capacity is a mere 2800mAh, and despite the "Adaptive Power" feature in iOS 26, battery life remains a significant challenge. The global version will completely eliminate the physical SIM card slot, relying instead on eSIM technology. If domestic regulations are not resolved, the Chinese version may face the risk of release delays or even cancellation.
The high-end iPhone 17 Pro series departs from the design language used for three generations. A through-metal frame separates the lens module and wireless charging area on the back, enhancing both its recognizability and structural strength. Internal upgrades include a new antenna layout (extending to the camera area) that significantly improves network connectivity. A matte, anti-reflective display is expected to be standard to reduce glare. The imaging system may feature a floating telephoto lens, enabling 3.5x to 8x continuous optical zoom, addressing image quality issues in mid-focus ranges. Furthermore, users will be able to actively control the 7.5W reverse charging switch, allowing for emergency powering of AirPods or Apple Watches.
The AirPods Pro 3, updated after many years, will feature a smaller, more compact design for a more stable fit. The core upgrade is the new H3 chip, which increases computing power, reduces power consumption, and reduces latency, potentially enabling over 7 hours of listening time per session. It also features improvements to noise cancellation, spatial audio, and Transparency mode (which enhances ambient sound). Audio is expected to support 24-bit/96kHz to 192kHz lossless transmission and be deeply integrated with iPhone Translation for real-time two-way conversation translation. Its biggest highlight is its breakthrough health monitoring capabilities: optical sensors support continuous in-ear heart rate monitoring (updated approximately every 5 seconds), potentially exceeding the accuracy of the Apple Watch during non-strenuous exercise. In-ear temperature measurement is also more accurate than wrist-based measurement. Apple is also exploring the integration of sweat and breath sensors, aiming to transform AirPods into a "headphone-based health monitoring platform."
In the Apple Watch series, the flagship Ultra 3 model will undergo a breakthrough upgrade: for the first time, it will support satellite communication (sending emergency SOS and location information via Globalstar; the Chinese version may not have this feature) and low-power 5G connectivity (using a MediaTek chip supporting the RedCap standard). Combined with the S11 chip's native AI capabilities, it will gradually move away from its "mobile phone accessory" positioning. Health features will include blood pressure fluctuation alerts and "Project Mulberry," a personalized health coaching service that integrates iPhone and Watch data. The mainstream Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to retain its dual 42mm/46mm sizes, with minimal changes to the exterior, but battery life is expected to be slightly improved.
In addition to the above main products, Apple will also update a number of accessories: AirTag 2 will be equipped with a new ultra-wideband chip, and with the "Extended Precision Search" function of iOS 26, the effective range will be greatly expanded from 15 meters to 60 meters, while optimizing battery life and stability. The color version may be released at the same time; the appearance of HomePod mini 2 may remain unchanged, but it will be upgraded to the same chip as the Apple Watch S11 to increase computing power, and will be equipped with a self-developed wireless chip that supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster speed and lower latency; the Apple TV 4K (2025) processor will be upgraded to a "castrated version" A17 Pro (reducing one GPU core). The performance improvement is intended to support the connection of the handle to run 3A games, and cooperate with the new game app of iOS 26, revealing Apple's ambition to create a TV game ecosystem.
