On Sept. 19, Apple unveiled its latest new products. From the most powerful iPhones ever to the best in-ear active noise cancellation, here's a guide on everything you need to know about Apple's latest innovations.
Apple has raised the bar with its latest releases, including the iPhone 17 lineup, the AirPods Pro 3, the Apple Watch Series 11, and the iPhone Air. This guide breaks down the key features of these new products to help you decide which version fits your needs best.
To start, the iPhone 17’s starting price is $799, which applies to the base model. It’s the same price as last year's iPhone 16; however, it includes amazing features. It incorporates Apple's ProMotion 120Hz screen, which offers a smoother and larger display, an A19 chip (better AI, GPU, and CPU performance), an improved front camera, dual 48 MP back cameras, and extended battery life. For the same cost as the iPhone 16 at launch, this phone offers significant upgrades compared to iPhones 14 and earlier.
While the iPhone 17 already provides great features for anyone, the iPhone 17 Pro takes it to the next level. The 17 Pro’s have a brand new back camera design featuring three 48 MP cameras, capturing up to 8x zoom. It features an A19 PRO chip that can run anything you could need. It includes the same front-facing camera as the iPhone 17 with a much better battery.
Senior Victor Higareda shares his perspective as an iPhone user who switched over from Samsung.
“Compared to Samsung, I think the iPhone is more complex,” Higareda said.
Higereda loves the camera control button and seems to enjoy the iPhone 17 Pro Max overall, but he has one main criticism .
“The quality of the camera is not as good as [what was] advertised,” Higereda said.
Apple also released their thinnest and strongest iPhone ever, the only iPhone this year made of titanium, the iPhone Air, which features the same A19 Pro chip as the Pro models. However, it comes with some setbacks, including having a worse battery life and 0.5x zoom. Although, it feels wonderful to have because of how truly thin it is.
In addition to the phones, Apple released the AirPods Pro 3, which are labeled as the “best in-ear active noise cancellation.” This statement definitely lives up to its title. It features a brand new heart rate monitor, a longer lasting battery, double noise cancellation from last year's model, and a new silicon foam tip, making it more secure in your ear. They are the greatest headphones I have ever used, they completely block any unwanted noise, which is beneficial for studying.
The new Apple Watches aren’t much different from last year’s, only featuring 5G capability and longer batter, so the upgrade isn’t really worth it. However, I’ve never owned an Apple Watch, so it's hard to make a rational decision on whether it’s worth buying.
If interested, these products are available everywhere at the five Apple stores in Orange County. In addition, they are also being sold by online retailers and countless Walmart and Target stores. They are accessible and effortlessly fit into your daily life. From high school to college and the years to come, these products will definitely last.
Overall, Apple’s 2025 lineup offers a range of innovative features, from their strongest A19 and A19 Pro chips to advanced active noise cancellation in the AirPods Pro 3. Whether you’re upgrading or purchasing your first Apple product, this lineup will not disappoint.
