An amazing thing happened two days ago: Apple dropped a bunch of new products. We always love it when that happens. Even with all the tariffs and questions about our future, Apple continues to release new products. Let’s talk about some of them, shall we?
iPhone 17 Air
Here’s one I find very interesting: the iPhone 17 Air. It’s the slimmest iPhone ever, and I’m going to try to include a picture with this newsletter. It is incredibly thin. The camera lenses still stick out, but the device itself is remarkably slim. It’s made with Grade 5 titanium—whatever that is, I have no idea. Prices start at $999, and it bridges the gap between the standard and Pro models.
iPhone 17 Standard
The iPhone 17 standard also comes out. It features a 6.3-inch Super Retina display with something called ProMotion 120Hz—whatever that is. It debuts Apple’s new A19 chip. I wonder if that chip came from the CHIPS Act from the Biden era? Who knows? I don’t.
It includes a 48-megapixel Fusion camera system. That’s impressive—I remember my first digital camera had only 2 megapixels, cost around $400, and was just a camera. The iPhone 17 starts with 256GB of storage.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Then there’s the iPhone 17 Pro Max—that’s their premium phone with all the advanced features. It’s got the A19 Pro chip and includes an innovative vapor chamber thermal system. Apple claims these are the most powerful iPhones ever.
The Pro Max features triple 48-megapixel Fusion cameras: main, ultra-wide, and telephoto. I have to tell you, Apple cameras are fascinating and do an excellent job. I have an older iPhone, and the pictures are just incredible.
Universal iPhone 17 Features
All iPhone 17 models feature an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera with AI-driven framing. Of course it’s AI-driven—isn’t everything these days?
They include Ceramic Shield for durability and clarity. The display now uses Ceramic Shield 2, offering three times better scratch resistance. But of course, you’ll still want to buy a case, which will cost you more.
AirPods Pro Fit
Here’s a fun new product: we’re all familiar with AirPods—those little things you stick in your ears. Not me—I can’t stand those things in my ears. I need over-ear headphones. But many people love AirPods.
Now they have the AirPods Pro Fit with translation upgrades. These launch at $249 and include heart rate sensing and various other sensors, plus what Apple claims is the world’s best noise cancellation.
Here’s the compelling feature: live translation. You can be in another country where they speak a different language—say you’re in Austria and they’re speaking German. You can talk to locals, and if they have the same headphones, you can understand each other in real time. What is this world coming to?
Apple Watch Updates
We can’t forget the Apple Watch. There’s the Apple Watch SE3 with more power and new sensors. It starts at $249 with a faster S10 chip, Always-On display, and supposedly improved battery life.
Beyond the SE3, some models go as high as $799 and include health features such as hypertension alerts, blood pressure monitoring—how does a watch do that?—and satellite connectivity for emergencies.
Release Timeline
When are all these products coming out? Most products, including the iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro, and Watch Series, are available right now for pre-order. They start shipping around September 19th, which is coming up soon.
Final Thoughts
Apple is really changing their business approach by adding emphasis on health and safety sensors. The iPhone Air appeals to design-focused users, while the iPhone 17 bridges performance between the standard and Pro segments.
They’re expensive phones, but they work wonderfully. That’s the latest on Apple. Of course, Android users don’t care because they’re Android users. I used to be an Android user until my children convinced me to switch to Apple, and I haven’t regretted it.
My problem with Android is that there are countless different versions, and they’re all different with no consistency among them. That said, Google’s latest version—I think it’s version 10, or maybe 9—looks pretty good and supposedly has a wonderful camera system.
We’ll see you next Wednesday.