The Awe Dropping Apple event just concluded. This is the event where Apple unveils its newest Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPhones. Check out Apple’s summary of the event in the video below.

Here are my impressions of the event and everything Apple announced, from redesigned AirPods to the thinnest iPhone ever.

Apple “Awe Dropping” Event 2025 Overview

Apple’s production is top-notch. I enjoyed the first video, which focused on iconic Apple symbols like the circle and the click wheel.

Most of the presenters walked around stunning Apple Stores around the country. I liked these little details, but can’t believe some of the architecture inside them.

I said it before, and I’ll repeat it: I’m bored with the videos in these events. While I appreciate how much of a lifesaver the Apple Watch has become and seeing how it has saved people is incredible, I’ve grown tired of the section.

I’m ready to return to live, in-person events. I don’t think it will ever happen, but those felt more alive.

AirPods Pro 3: Key Upgrades & Features

Apple kicked off the show with upgraded AirPods Pro. Before the event, I had considered upgrading my AirPods Pro 2. I use them every day and I love them. As we got closer, I realized I didn’t want to upgrade.

Apple claims to have improved the fit, which makes me want to upgrade. Of course, I’ll have to see if the fit is better. On a recent flight, I had my AirPods in for a while, and my ear canal started to hurt. My only complaint about the current version is comfort. After wearing them, they begin to hurt my ears, and sometimes, they slip. If this solves those issues, I’m in.

They also mentioned adding some foam to the ear tip, which I’m curious about. I tried some ear tips with foam before, but they caused my AirPods to slip out of my ears. Will the same thing happen on these new models?

AirPods will get a heart rate sensor, similar to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Apple didn’t discuss what happens when you have these AirPods and an Apple Watch. The Beats default to the Apple Watch for the data, so I would assume these do too. I don’t need this feature, but I know many who will be happy to have it.

The Live Translation feature looked pretty handy, as my in-laws don’t speak the same language. However, I believe the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 also get this feature. While I’ll be grateful to have this feature, I wish even more that I could speak the language, but that’s on me, not my AirPods.

We will have to see. I do think I will invest in them eventually.

Apple Watch Series 11: What’s New in 2025

The Apple Watch has been a little stale for me. It’s nice that the last model got a bigger screen and slimmer body, but I didn’t need to upgrade.

The Apple Watch Series 11 gets more battery life than any Apple Watch Series before it, and that’s what I want. The battery has reportedly moved from an 18-hour “all-day battery” to 24 hours. My Apple Watch Series 8’s battery has started to drain fast since the battery has declined to 82% battery health. I have to charge it in the middle of the day. I also charge it after putting my kids to sleep so that I can make it through sleep tracking and an early morning workout. I think just having a higher-capacity battery would make things better in the long run.

Whenever Apple adds a new health metric to the Apple Watch to help someone improve their health, I’m all for it. I’m not sure how helpful the sleep score will be. I have a Withings Smart Watch that gives a score as well. The score doesn’t mean much to me. I know I either slept well or not, and I always try to do things to help me sleep well.

The new Apple Watches also get a hypertension feature. Using data collected through a health study on Apple Watch users, Apple has developed a method to detect if the wearer may have hypertension. This could help millions of people.

Both of these new health features will be coming to past Apple Watches, though. The sleep score will be available on the Apple Watch Series 6, while hypertension alerts will be available on the Series 9 and newer.

But I wonder how much better these are than the Series 10. The battery is better, but all the other features will come to the Series 10. If I were updating, I would look for last year’s model at a deal.

Affordable Apple Watch SE: Features & Value

The SE receives a significant update, featuring improved battery life and enhanced gestures. It also received gestures, a temperature sensor, and a speaker. It seems like an excellent deal for a cheaper Apple Watch, but the screen feels lacking right now, even though it does finally get an always-on display.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Adventure-Ready Enhancements

The Apple Watch Ultra finally increased its number after a year off. It got all the new features of the Series 11 as well as satellite connectivity. It also got a bigger screen without increasing the size of the watch.

This feels like a significant update to the Ultra, given it’s been a year without one. If you are on the move, need a watch to track your progress during a marathon, or might find yourself lost in the woods without connectivity, this watch is perfect for you.

The iPhone 17 Impresses Again

Man, the base model iPhone impresses me again this year. It feels like Apple is doing its best to make this the best deal in iPhone-land, but it’s also tempting you with upgraded models elsewhere.

Last year, I opted for the iPhone 16 Plus over the Pro for the first time, as I felt it was the best deal and offered the best colors. This year, Apple only added to the iPhone 17.

Not having ProMotion and the telephoto lens made me hesitate to leave the Pro line. This year, Apple has added ProMotion to all iPhones, so that’s one more hesitation gone. I honestly could do without the telephoto lens, too. The camera on my 16 Plus did great in most situations.

Take a look at all the other things I’ve learned after a year of using the Plus instead of the Pro.

The iPhone 17 comes in new colors, but I don’t think they are as bold as the iPhone 16. The processor gets updated to the A19 chip. The battery is still great. There isn’t much missing from this phone right now.

The Center Stage Selfie Camera Is A Stroke Of Genius

All new iPhones come with ProMotion and a new Selfie camera with Center Stage. Previously, the front camera could only capture rectangular pictures. You’d have to turn your phone if you wanted a different kind of photo. Holding the phone that way could be difficult.

But not more! Apple changed the sensor to be larger and square. Your iPhone will crop the photo to make it look rectangular, but you’ll now be able to take a landscape selfie while holding your phone in portrait orientation.

Not only that, but now, as you try to take a group selfie, the camera will identify faces and adjust the crop of your picture to include them. This feature has the usual Apple charm that makes it so mind-blowing.

This will sell iPhones more than anything else. It also might have been my favorite feature announced this year.

The iPhone Air Is A Miss For Me

Apple announced the iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever. This iPhone is their second thinnest device, and the thinnest smartphone available right now.

To achieve this, Apple consolidated all the phone components into the new Camera platform, leaving the rest of the phone to be the battery and screen.

The iPhone Air only has one camera lens. It can do the fusion thing that the other cameras can do with a digital crop to 2x zoom, but that’s basically it. No ultra wide, no telephoto.

Apple claims the Air will have “all-day battery life,” but then introduced an iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack to extend the battery life, adding thickness and another thing to keep up with.

I don’t think I could use a phone like this without more camera options and a good battery life. The trade-offs are too much to get excited about. Plus, I don’t love the camera plateau either. Most of the phone looks great and shiny, but I don’t like it that much.

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

They closed things off with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. These two phones feature a new design, a new selfie camera, improved battery life, and updated cameras. Also, for the first time in a while, the Pros will come in fun colors, although they left out the black phone this year.

Of course, the Pro offers more features, such as the new cooling chamber and materials, but I think the presentation got bogged down by too much technical jargon. I lost interest pretty quickly.

After a year without a Pro Max model, I’ve decided to go with the Pro. I don’t love the design, but I do like that they brought some fun colors out.

That said, even though the colors brought me in last year, I’m leaning toward going with the Silver phone this year. I’ve learned that while iPhones with color are fun, you don’t really see the color unless you get a crappy clear case. The orange and blue phones look great without a case, but I’m sure I’ll slap a case on mine.

It’s a little sad that Apple got rid of the lowest-priced iPhone Pro, but it is nice that the base now starts with more storage. In fact, all the iPhones now start at 256 GB.

Why isn’t Apple taking this opportunity to change the name of the iPhone as well? The OS has moved on to using the year instead. This would have been a great chance to call these the iPhone Pro 26.

iPhone Accessories A-Plenty

Apple also went on a while about cases and accessories for the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.

I love the bumper case for the Air, but I wish I could get one for the Pro.

The cross-body strap doesn’t do it for me. I think it’s a bit silly. It’s also a little crazy that Apple has added a spot to all of its cases to attach this thing. I’ll need to see the cases in person to determine if they are affected.

TechWoven cases look to improve on FineWoven from a few years ago, but I’m not sold on them. They seem expensive for what they are.

The battery pack seems nice, but limited. I don’t understand why they didn’t just make it work with all the iPhones. They might be able to sell more of them if they did.

Final Thoughts: Apple Event 2025 Impact & Recommendations

After watching the entire presentation, I felt very meh.

I felt pleasantly surprised with the AirPods Pro 3, but nothing else really excited me. I think most of that is because I’m tuned in to the leaks, so there were many surprises to be had.

The iPhone Air will probably sell better than I expect because it’s new and it’s fashionable.

I’m also grateful that the prices didn’t shoot up with everything going on in the country right now.

I’m currently planning on upgrading to an iPhone 17 Pro in silver with 256 GB of storage. My iPhone 16 Plus has 256 GB of storage, and I have 100 GB left, so I should be fine. The Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro tempts me, but I worry about colors when it comes time to protect it.

I’m definitely skipping the Pro Max this year, but I’m driven to find the best way to type on my iPhone for an extended time.

What did you think of the event? Do you have any questions about the devices that I can help answer? Let me know in the comments below, or hit me up on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon, or Facebook.

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