Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming one week after the ninth betas were released. The release candidates are the final versions of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 that will debut to the public as long as no last minute bugs are located.
The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on each device. visionOS 26 is only available to developers, but watchOS 26 and tvOS 26 can be downloaded by public beta testers too.
watchOS 26 and tvOS 26 adopt new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. watchOS has a new AI-powered Workout Buddy for motivation and the Smart Stack incorporates more personal context for better suggestions. There's also a new Notes app and support for Live Translation.
tvOS 26 supports karaoke using an iPhone as a microphone, improvements for using AirPlay speakers with a TV, new Aerial screen savers, and support for quicker logins to apps at setup thanks to Apple Account syncing.
visionOS 26 adds support for spatial widgets that can be placed anywhere in the space around you, along with refinements to make personas more lifelike and support for shared spatial experiences between two Vision Pro users.
watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26 will launch on September 15.
Apple designed a new MagSafe battery to go along with the super thin iPhone Air, and the accessory is available for purchase as of today.
The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is priced at $99, and it lists compatibility with just the iPhone Air, so it is not clear if it will work with other iPhone 17 models. It's possible the camera plateau on the Pro models is too large to accommodate the battery. The MagSafe Battery provides up to 12W charging over MagSafe, and 20W when it is connected to the iPhone Air and a power adapter at the same time.
Apple says that the battery is thin, lightweight, and designed to slip into a pocket. It adds up to 65 percent charge to the iPhone Air, "extending battery life further than that of any other iPhone."
The iPhone Air lasts for up to 27 hours when watching videos, and up to 22 hours when streaming video. With the MagSafe Battery, it lasts for up to 40 hours when watching videos, and up to 35 hours when streaming video.
You'll be able to pre-order the iPhone Air on Friday, September 12. It is priced starting at $999 for 256GB storage.
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate of macOS Tahoe 26 for testing purposes, with the RC coming after nine rounds of betas. The release candidate is the finalized version of macOS Tahoe that will be released to the public if no bugs are discovered during this last week of testing.
Registered developers can download the new beta software through the System Settings app.
macOS Tahoe features Apple's Liquid Glass redesign, which extends across all of the new updates this year. Apple also brought the Phone and Journal apps to the Mac for the first time, and introduced a new cross-platform Games app.
With the update, Apple overhauled how Spotlight works, enabling new functionality that allows it to be used to complete all kinds of actions like sending emails without having to open up an app. There are also changes to a number of apps, including Messages, Safari, and Notes.
All of the new features that are included in macOS Tahoe are outlined in our dedicated roundup. macOS Tahoe is set to launch on September 15.
Following the announcement of the new Apple Watch lineup today, Apple discontinued all of the Apple Watch models previously on sale.
Apple typically retires prior models with the release of their successors, and with three new models this year, the entire previous lineup has been discontinued; the Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are no longer available.
Apple introduced the Apple Watch SE 2 back in September 2022, featuring the S8 chip and a new nylon composite case back. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 joined the lineup in September 2023, and received a new black color option in September 2024. The device gained the S9 chip, brighter displays, and a new "double tap" gesture using the index finger and thumb. The Apple Watch Series 10 debuted in September 2024, touting a refreshed design with a thinner casing, brighter wide-angle displays with a wider aspect ratio and a faster refresh rate, sleep apnea detection, and new finishes.
With the discontinuation of the Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple's smartwatch lineup now consists of the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 for testing purposes, with the updates coming a week after Apple seeded the ninth betas. Release candidates represent the finalized version of new software that will be provided to the public provided no last minute bugs are discovered.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the new beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 feature Apple's new Liquid Glass design aesthetic, with a focus on translucency and glass-like interface elements. The design extends to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, along with menus and buttons in apps.
Apple's software includes features for apps like Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, and Apple Music, along with new Apple Intelligence features, a revamp for CarPlay, and more. In iPadOS 26, there's a whole new multitasking system that supports multiple app windows for a more Mac-like experience.
More than eight years after it introduced the technology, the entire new iPhone lineup features ProMotion display technology for the first time.
ProMotion is Apple's name for its adaptive display technology that makes motion on screen appear smoother and more responsive. Apple introduced ProMotion with the second-generation iPad Pro in June 2017.
On iPhones, ProMotion arrived later with the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max in September 2021. MacBook Pro models with Liquid Retina XDR displays also adopted ProMotion in October 2021.
Since the technology came to the iPhone in 2021, it has been reserved for the Pro models until now; both the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air feature ProMotion displays.
ProMotion works by allowing the screen to refresh up to 120 times per second when fast motion is shown, such as during scrolling or gaming, and dropping the refresh rate to much lower levels when the image is static to save battery life.
Following the announcement of the iPhone 17 lineup today, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Apple typically retires previous-generation hardware to streamline its product portfolio, and this year appears to be no exception. Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are no longer available.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were introduced on September 12, 2023, at Apple's "Wonderlust" event and released on September 22, 2023. Both models featured the Dynamic Island, which was previously exclusive to Pro models. They also adopted the A16 Bionic chip and introduced a 48-megapixel main camera with a new 2x telephoto option via sensor cropping. For the first time, Apple replaced the Lightning connector with a USB-C port. The devices offered 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays with up to 2,000 nits peak outdoor brightness, enhanced battery life, and a more refined aluminum-and-glass design with a matte finish.
Apple reduced the prices of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus on September 9, 2024, following the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup. In the United States, the iPhone 15 dropped from its original $799 starting price to $699, and the iPhone 15 Plus fell from $899 to $799.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus continue to be on sale at $699 and $799, respectively. The iPhone 17 starts at $799.
All of the new devices will be delivered to customers starting on Friday, September 19. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 models will start on Friday, September 12.
The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249, and they feature updated Active Noise Cancellation, a new case and earbud design, improved audio quality, and heart rate sensing.
The Apple Watch Series 11 has 5G support, hypertension alerts and a new sleep score feature, as does the Ultra 3. Apple also added satellite connectivity to the Ultra 3, while the SE has new health-related features.
Pricing on the Apple Watch SE starts at $249, pricing on the Series 11 starts at $399, and pricing on the Ultra 3 is $799.
Following the announcement of the iPhone 17 lineup today, Apple discontinued the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple typically retires its Pro models with the release of their successors, and this year continues that pattern. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are no longer available.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max were introduced on September 9, 2024, at Apple's "Glowtime" event and released on September 20, 2024. Both models were powered by the A18 Pro chip and featured new camera capabilities, including a 5x telephoto zoom lens on the smaller model for the first time, as well as a new Camera Control button for easier photography and video recording. They retained the titanium frame from the iPhone 15 Pro models, but with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes.
The iPhone 16 Pro launched at $999, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max started at $1,199 in the United States.
With the discontinuation of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, Apple's lineup now centers on the iPhone 17 series, with the base iPhone 17 starting at $799, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus remain available at $699 and $799, respectively.
The all-new TechWoven Case is the spiritual successor to Apple's ill-received, discontinued FineWoven Case for the iPhone 15 Pro models. TechWoven is a "technical woven fabric" with "multiple colored yarns," and Apple has suggested that this material will be more resistant to scratches and stains than FineWoven was.
TechWoven Case color options include Black, Blue, Purple, Sienna, and Green. In the U.S., the cases cost $59 each, for either the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max.
The redesigned Clear Case with MagSafe is made of clear polycarbonate, and it has a "scratch-resistant coating" on the interior and exterior.
The latest Silicone Case with MagSafe is available in six colors: Orange, Terra Cotta, Neon Yellow, Purple Fog, Midnight, and Black.
Apple's new Crossbody Strap can be paired with the TechWoven Case and new Silicone Case, allowing users to wear their iPhone. It is essentially a magnetic lanyard, with stainless steel sliding mechanisms for adjusting the length.
In the U.S., the Crossbody Strap costs $59, and it is available in 10 colors: Black, Light Gray, Blue, Light Blue, Purple, Sienna, Green, Neon Yellow, Tan, and Orange.
Apple will begin accepting preorders for the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max on Friday, September 12 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The new iPhones will launch on Friday, September 19.
Pricing on the iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the iPhone Air starts at $999. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199.
All of the iPhone 17 models feature ProMotion refresh rates, a 18-megapixel front camera, and A19 or A19 Pro chips. The iPhone Air is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date and it has only a single-lens rear camera and lower battery life, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature upgraded 48-megapixel Telephoto lenses, an upgraded body that's more durable, improved anti-reflective coating, and a new rear camera design.
Apple doesn't plan to start accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone models until this Friday, but you can pre-order the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 starting today.
The new iPhone Air Case with MagSafe is a translucent case that is less than 1mm thick, with Frost and Shadow options. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air Bumper (shown above) is a lightweight polycarbonate bumper case that wraps around the edge of the iPhone Air, with Tan, Light Gray, Light Blue, and Black color options.
Finally, there is a Crossbody Strap that attaches directly to select new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air cases, including the iPhone Air Case with MagSafe, iPhone Air Bumper, TechWoven Cases, and Silicone Cases. It costs $59, and it is available in 10 colors: black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.
With the Crossbody Strap, you can wear your iPhone. It is essentially a magnetic lanyard, with stainless steel sliding mechanisms for adjusting the length.
Apple today introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Both devices feature a new aluminum unibody design, with the Ceramic Shield now protecting both the front and back sides. Apple says the front side is now Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance, while the rear Ceramic Shield is advertised as 4x more resistant to cracks compared to the back glass on previous iPhone models.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, with a higher 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness and 2x better outdoor contrast. The display on each device has an improved anti-reflection coating to reduce glare.
A larger rear camera plateau houses three 48-megapixel Fusion cameras, and the antenna system now wraps around it. The upgraded Telephoto camera offers up to 8x optical zoom, which is up from the 5x limit on the iPhone 16 Pro models. Plus, there is now an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support.
The optical zoom options available include 4x at 100mm, and 8x at 200mm. The camera system supports ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock for multi-camera video syncing.
Other key features for these devices include an A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU for up to 40% faster sustained performance compared to iPhone 16 Pro models, a larger battery, a vapor chamber cooling system for improved thermal management, and an Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
New color options include Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are eSIM-only in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Apple. These models are equipped with an even larger battery that fills the space formerly occupied by the physical SIM card tray.
Apple says the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers the longest battery life of any iPhone model ever, with up to 39 hours of video playback per full charge.
In the U.S., the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 with 256GB of storage, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage. Pre-orders start Friday, September 12, ahead of deliveries to customers and in-store availability beginning Friday, September 19.
While the iPhone 17 Pro continues to max out at 1TB of storage, the iPhone 17 Pro Max can now be configured with up to a whopping 2TB of storage.
There are new accessories, including a Crossbody Strap, and TechWoven cases that are the spiritual successor to Apple's ill-received, discontinued FineWoven cases.
Apple also announced that iOS 26 will be released on Monday, September 15.
Apple today reintroduced the MagSafe battery specifically for the iPhone Air, featuring an all-new, low-profile design.
The new battery provides the iPhone Air with up to 40 hours of video playback with the pack attached, adding up to 65% additional charge. With the battery attached, the iPhone Air apparently has better battery life than any other iPhone.
Apple says that to maximize battery life, the combined system will choose the best times to recharge the iPhone, or if you need a quick boost, just snap it on for up to 12W of fast wireless charging on the go.
For even faster charging of the iPhone Air, Apple says you can attach the MagSafe Battery and connect it to a 20W or higher power adapter at the same time.
The new MagSafe Battery is priced at $99. It is only compatible with the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air is just 5.6mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever. The frame is made of titanium with a polished mirror finish. The device features Ceramic Shield 2 with 3x better scratch resistance and 4x better crack resistance, on both sides of the device for the first time. Apple says that it is the most durable iPhone ever. A new plateau spans the entire rear width of the device and contains the rear camera, front camera, speaker, and Apple Silicon.
It features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness — the highest ever on an iPhone. The front glass also features a 7-layer antireflective coating to reduce glare and distractions, and be more readable in bright lighting conditions.
The iPhone Air features a single 48-megapixel rear fusion camera, with 1x and 2x modes from one camera. A 18-megapixel front-facing camera features Center Stage that uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and rotate the frame for you based on how many people are on the screen. A square sensor allows four different composition sizes, so you don't need to rotate the phone to take a landscape selfie.
New features combines the front and rear cameras, with dual-capture video. Stabilization from the front camera keeps you in frame, while rear camera lets you zoom in.
The iPhone Air features the A19 Pro chip, featuring a six-core CPU and a five-core GPU. The GPU is updated with the second generation of Dynamic Caching, doubled math rates, and unified image compression.
It also contains the new C1X custom modem that's twice as fast as the C1 in the iPhone 16e. A new custom-designed N1 chip integrates Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity. It is eSIM only.
The high-performance A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips make it the most power-efficient iPhone ever made, according to Apple. Despite its thin design, the iPhone Air still delivers "all-day" battery life.
The iPhone Air takes the place of the "Plus" model in the lineup, sitting above the standard iPhone 17 but below the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone Air comes in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold and Sky Blue with pricing starting at $999. Pre-order start on Friday, with availability on September 19.
Apple today unveiled the iPhone 17, featuring a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display that includes ProMotion technology for the first time on a non-Pro model. The iPhone 17 starts at $799.
The new device offers ProMotion's adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz alongside an Always-On display that shows the time, widgets, and Live Activities even when not actively in use. The display can also efficiently adjust down to 1Hz when appropriate.
The iPhone 17 also benefits from Ceramic Shield 2, featuring a new coating that provides 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation while reducing glare. The display achieves 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness, which is the highest ever on iPhone, with 2x better outdoor contrast.
Perhaps the most distinctive addition is the Center Stage front camera, described by Apple as the "best front camera yet." It's the first square front camera sensor on iPhone, providing a wider field of view and higher resolution up to 18MP for photos. Users can now capture photos and videos in either portrait or landscape orientation while holding their device vertically, eliminating the need to rotate the phone for landscape selfies.
For group shots, Center Stage uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame. The feature also enables ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video recording and introduces Dual Capture, allowing simultaneous recording on both front and rear cameras.
The rear camera system has also been overhauled with all 48MP sensors for the first time. The main camera includes an integrated optical-quality 2x Telephoto, described as "like having two cameras in one." A new 48MP Ultra Wide camera captures up to 4x the resolution compared to the previous generation, improving both wide-angle shots and macro photography capabilities.
Photographic Styles have been improved with next-generation processing that better understands skin tones while adjusting color, highlights, and shadows in real time. A new Bright style will become available with iOS 26 to brighten skin tones and add vibrance across images.
Video recording supports 4K 60fps Dolby Vision with features including Cinematic mode and Action mode. The device captures Spatial Audio for immersive listening, while Audio Mix allows users to adjust sound after capture to boost voices and reduce ambient noise.
Under the hood, the A19 chip built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology brings a major performance boost. The 6-core CPU is 1.5x faster than the A15 Bionic in iPhone 13, while the 5-core GPU is more than 2x faster than A15 Bionic, according to Apple. Neural Accelerators are built into each GPU core to support on-device generative AI models.
Battery life has also been boosted, with up to 30 hours of video playback, or eight more hours than the iPhone 16. This improvement is said to be thanks to the efficiency of the A19 chip and advanced power management in iOS 26. A new Adaptive Power Mode learns typical battery consumption patterns and intelligently conserves power when needed.
Charging speeds have also increased, with the device capable of reaching 50 percent charge in 20 minutes using an optional high-wattage USB-C power adapter.
Apple also introduced N1, a new custom-made wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity while improving the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
The iPhone 17 will ship with double the base storage of its predecessor, starting at 256GB with a 512GB option available. The device comes in five colors: black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white.
eSIM-only models will be available in select regions including Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, with general availability starting Friday, September 19 in more than 63 countries and regions. The device will expand to 22 additional countries and regions beginning Friday, September 26.
New accessories include a Silicone Case with MagSafe in five colors and a Crossbody Strap crafted from 100 percent recycled yarns, available in 10 colors.
iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 will be released to the public on Monday, September 15, Apple announced during today's "Awe Dropping" Apple event.
The new operating system updates are set to launch five days ahead of when the new iPhone 17 models and new Apple Watches will be released on Friday, September 19. The iPhone 17 models will come with iOS 26, and the new Apple Watch models will feature watchOS 26.
These are some of the biggest updates that Apple has released in the last few years, mainly because all of the software features the new Liquid Glass design. Liquid Glass will be most noticeable in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, but it's also present in the other updates.
Expect a new look for everything on your iPhone, from the Lock and Home Screens to apps. Liquid Glass has a translucent, glass-like look, and Apple has also made changes to navigation with simplified navigation bars, pop out menus, and more.
The updates also bring new Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation to the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps, while Apple Music has useful options like AutoMix and Lyrics Translation. There's a new Games app, Preview is available on the iPhone and iPad, and the Phone app has expanded from the iPhone to the iPad and the Mac.
For more on what's new in the updates, we have dedicated roundups for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.
