Get a First Look at Apple's Fall New Products: Unbeatable Cost-Effectiveness and Professional Upgrade

Early in the morning on September 10, 2025, Apple officially released new models of iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Regarding these new products, our team at 3eLife had previously provided relevant analyses in the article "The Most Revolutionary Apple New Products Ever: Everyone Should Be Satisfied This Time" and "Before the iPhone 17 Hits the Market, Let's 'Evaluate' the Rumors about It" to "appreciate" the rumors about these new products with our readers.

Although the new iPhones this year quickly started pre - sale activities through various channels after their release, and judging from the data released by JD.com, such as "the pre - sale volume in one minute exceeded the total sales of last year", after a significant upgrade in the overall configuration and a design adjustment, this generation of flagship iPhones obviously has a better "appeal" than before. However, since the three models in the iPhone 17 series and other new products won't go on sale until September 19, so far, most people haven't had the chance to actually touch these new phones.

However, one day before the official sale of this large batch of new phones, our team at 3eLife got an early "hands - on" experience with all the new products unveiled at this year's fall product launch event. Moreover, we also had a communication with Kaiann, the global product manager VP of iPhone. Therefore, we can now reveal some details behind the new design and new features of the iPhone 17 series that may not have been noticed by everyone.

New Earbuds and New Watches: Minor Appearance Changes, but Significant Internal Upgrades

First, let's take a look at the AirPods Pro 3 and a series of new Apple Watch products released by Apple this time.

For those who watched the press conference, you may remember that Apple only mentioned two upgrade points for the AirPods Pro 3, namely, double the noise - cancellation ability and the addition of a heart - rate measurement function.

Actually, when you get the AirPods Pro 3 in hand, you'll find that there are also subtle changes in its appearance contour. Its wearing stability has been enhanced compared to the previous generation, which may be one aspect of the improved noise - cancellation effect or for more accurate health monitoring. Anyway, for those who highly value noise cancellation, a more secure wearing experience is definitely a welcome improvement.

In contrast, the Apple Watch product line has updated three models this year, namely the new Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is positioned as a hardcore mountaineering and diving watch.

In terms of appearance, there aren't many changes compared to their respective previous - generation models. The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 have replaced the watch mirrors with new Ion - X glass, so the screen's shatter resistance and transparency have been significantly improved.

However, compared to the minor appearance changes, all the newly unveiled "Apple Watches" have focused their upgrades on the inside. On the one hand, the new Watch OS 26 brings a gorgeous liquid - glass interface style to smartwatches. On the other hand, even the entry - level Apple Watch SE 3 is equipped with the same S10 chip as the flagship model of the same generation.

In other words, whether it's the objective performance, computing power, the complexity of potential health - monitoring algorithms, or the long - term system update cycle, even this year's entry - level "Apple Watch" far surpasses the fully - intelligent watch competitors with other operating systems on the market. Considering that no other company is as enthusiastic as Apple in updating smartwatch chips, the Apple Watch SE 3 is very likely to become a "dark horse" with overwhelming competitiveness in the fully - intelligent watch segment.

iPhone 17: Larger, More Colorful, with a High - Refresh - Rate Screen and Narrower Bezels

Next, let's take a look at the exterior design of the iPhone 17 series. After all, this may be the aspect with the most significant changes in the new phones and also the most concerned by consumers.

First, the "standard" iPhone 17 has the least obvious changes in the back part compared to the previous generation. It still uses a vertically - arranged capsule - shaped rear - camera Deco, and the structure is still the familiar glass back + glass Deco panel, paired with a stacked design of a metal lens ring.

However, as a standard - edition model, the iPhone 17 still offers the most color options in the series. On the other hand, its body size is no longer as "mini" as before, but has reached the same 6.3 - inch size as the iPhone 17 Pro.

There is an interesting detail here. Although we all know that the iPhone 17 uses the same screen as the iPhone 17 Pro, which has a peak brightness of 3000 nits and a 120Hz ProMotion variable refresh rate, both from the officially announced body - size parameters and the actual visual experience, the body of the iPhone 17 seems to be a little "shorter" and "narrower" than the iPhone 17 Pro. In other words, its bezel width may even be better controlled than that of the Pro version.

Moreover, regarding this new screen that Apple has applied uniformly across the product line this year, it's worth mentioning that it supports the function of completely turning off PWM dimming for the first time. Obviously, Apple has also noticed consumers' concerns about the eye - protection aspect of PWM dimming and has made a clear technical improvement for the first time.

iPhone Air: Thin and "Elegant", Pro Version Clearly Targets Professionals

Next is the thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone Air, with a thickness of only 5.64mm.

It has to be said that it is indeed the most precisely - designed and probably the best - crafted iPhone ever. In this generation of models, the iPhone Air has many "exclusive" designs and materials, including a titanium - alloy middle frame, a complex one - piece molded glass back cover, and an ultra - thin 3D - printed USB interface that is allegedly the industry's first.

Judging from the low - saturation color design of the iPhone Air series this time, which emphasizes the titanium - metal texture, its positioning may even be closer to the concept of "elegance" and "luxury" than the iPhone 17 Pro.

Why do we say so? This year, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have made significant adjustments to the overall structure, materials, and even the product image. On the one hand, they have cancelled the titanium - alloy middle frame and replaced it with an integrated aluminum - alloy frame design for the middle frame and the upper part of the back cover. On the other hand, their color schemes, especially the "Stellar Orange" version, are quite eye - catching and bold, even reminiscent of the "wildness" of the orange perforated strap on the Apple Watch Ultra series.

According to Apple, the new design of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max brings at least three benefits.

Firstly, the large - area aluminum - alloy frame, combined with the VC heat - spreader that the iPhone is equipped with for the first time, has significantly improved the continuous performance release level, especially in long - term gaming and video shooting.

Secondly, the current aluminum - alloy frame of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max is no longer just "a ring" on the middle frame but an integrated structure connecting the middle frame and the upper part of the back cover. This has greatly enhanced the phone's impact and torsion resistance, which better meets the durability requirements of professional imaging - creation devices.

The third benefit is quite interesting. According to what Apple's marketing director Greg Joswiak and hardware engineering director John Ternus said in previous interviews with other media, after replacing with a customized aluminum - alloy body, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max can achieve more colorful anodizing treatments than the previous titanium or stainless - steel versions. That's why the "Stellar Orange" color scheme was born.

From Imaging to Performance, the New iPhones Are Worth Further Consideration

In addition to experiencing the new phones, our team at 3eLife also had a face - to - face communication with Kaiann, the vice - president of global product marketing for iPhone.

As mentioned before, whether from Apple's presentation at the press conference or our actual experience, the "product image" of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max is more like a professional imaging - creation device. So our first question was how Apple continues to ensure the experience of non - professional users while enhancing the "professionalism" of the products.