Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
Skip to content
WatchRanker
Search
For vendors
Blog

Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ Event Recap: iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, AirPods Pro 3 and More

Apple’s September 2025 “Awe Dropping” event introduced Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3, along with iPhone Air and AirPods Pro 3. This archived recap covers the announcements, features, and release timing.
Estimate6–8 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event took place on September 9, 2025, and is now an archived event recap, not live coverage. Apple announced three watches—Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3—alongside iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 lineup, and AirPods Pro 3.

Apple announced three new watches, not just Series 11

The watch portion of Apple’s September event covered the full range of its smartwatch lineup. Apple introduced the mainstream Apple Watch Series 11, the rugged premium Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the lower-cost Apple Watch SE 3.

That makes this a broader refresh than a typical Series launch. Series 11 brought new health and battery features, Ultra 3 extended the high-end model’s endurance, and SE 3 gained newer connectivity and durability features without moving into the flagship price and feature set.

Model Notable announcements Position in the range
Apple Watch Series 11 Hypertension notifications, sleep score, up to 24 hours of battery life, 5G cellular, and tougher aluminum Ion-X glass Mainstream flagship
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Largest Apple Watch display and up to 42 hours of battery life Outdoor and high-end model
Apple Watch SE 3 5G cellular capability and a more durable cover glass Entry-level Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 11 adds health notifications and a sleep score

Series 11’s most consequential addition was a hypertension notification feature. Apple says the watch can analyze sensor data over time and notify users about signs associated with chronic high blood pressure.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

That wording matters. The feature is not a blood-pressure cuff, does not directly measure blood pressure, and is not a medical diagnosis. It is a notification system intended to encourage follow-up. Availability also depends on regulatory clearance and the user’s region.

Series 11 also introduced a sleep score, giving users a consolidated way to assess their sleep rather than relying only on individual sleep metrics. As with other Apple health features, the exact experience can vary by software version, language, region, and local regulations.

Battery life reaches 24 hours

Apple rated Apple Watch Series 11 for up to 24 hours of battery life. Fast charging was also improved: Apple says 15 minutes of charging can provide up to eight hours of battery life.

The usual qualification applies to both numbers. Actual runtime depends on factors such as cellular use, workouts, notifications, display settings, and battery condition. The 24-hour figure is an Apple rating, not a guarantee for every wearer.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

5G and a tougher display

Series 11 added 5G cellular, giving compatible cellular models a newer connectivity option when away from an iPhone. Carrier support and regional availability still determine whether the feature can be used.

Rank #2
Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

For aluminum models, Apple said the new Ion-X glass is twice as scratch-resistant as before. That is Apple’s comparison, rather than an independent laboratory result. The change should appeal to owners who are harder on their watches, although a more scratch-resistant cover is not the same as an unbreakable screen.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 targets endurance

Apple Watch Ultra 3 remained the top-end model in the lineup. Apple positioned it for demanding outdoor use and highlighted its larger display and longer endurance.

The headline battery figure is up to 42 hours. That gives Ultra 3 a substantial advantage over the 24-hour rating of Series 11, particularly for long hikes, travel, and multi-day activity where daily charging is inconvenient.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Apple also described Ultra 3 as having the largest display of any Apple Watch. That extra screen area is useful for maps, workout data, and reading notifications outdoors, though buyers should expect the watch to remain the largest and most substantial option in the range.

Apple Watch SE 3 gets newer basics

The Apple Watch SE 3 filled out the affordable end of the launch. Its upgrades included 5G cellular capability and a more durable cover glass.

Rank #3
Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.

SE models are aimed at buyers who want the core Apple Watch experience without paying for every feature found in Series 11 or Ultra 3. The SE 3 announcement was therefore less about one headline health feature and more about keeping the entry model current on connectivity and everyday durability.

iPhone Air was the event’s thinnest new design

Apple’s new phone was called iPhone Air—not “iPhone 17 Air.” It joined the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max as a separate member of the family.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The defining specification is its 5.6 mm thickness. It has a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, a grade-5 titanium frame, and Apple’s A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips.

Photography hardware includes a 48MP Fusion Main camera and an 18MP Center Stage front camera. Apple also used Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and Ceramic Shield protection on the back.

iPhone Air is eSIM-only, with no physical SIM card slot. U.S. pricing started at $999, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. The four finishes are space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.

Rank #4
Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
  • A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
  • KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
  • GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*

AirPods Pro 3 add workout heart-rate tracking

The correct product name is AirPods Pro 3, not AirPods 3 Pro. The new earbuds received a redesigned fit, foam-infused ear tips in five sizes—including XXS—and an IP57 sweat and water-resistance rating.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

One of the more unusual additions is heart-rate sensing during workouts. Apple says AirPods Pro 3 can work with the Fitness app on iPhone across more than 50 workout types. That makes the earbuds a potential source of exercise data for people who do not want to wear a watch during every session.

Apple claimed up to twice as much noise reduction as AirPods Pro 2 and up to eight hours of music playback with active noise cancellation enabled. Those are Apple’s claims; independent testing would be needed to establish how the earbuds compare in real-world use.

AirPods Pro 3 also support Live Translation, but the feature is not available universally. Apple says language, region, operating-system, and device requirements apply.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Release dates and availability

The announcements were spread across several release stages rather than becoming universally available on the day of the event.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant
  • A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
  • KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
  • GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
  • SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
  • A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
  1. September 9, 2025: Apple announced the products, and AirPods Pro 3 preorders opened.
  2. September 12, 2025: Preorders began for iPhone Air and the new iPhone models.
  3. September 15, 2025: Apple scheduled iOS 26 for release.
  4. September 19, 2025: Retail availability began for the new iPhones, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3.

Apple later confirmed that the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods products reached Apple Store locations worldwide on September 19. Features such as Live Translation and health-related notifications can still vary by market and regulatory approval.

What the event means for Apple Watch buyers

The clearest choice is between priorities. Series 11 is the general-purpose option for users who want the newest health tools, longer battery life, and 5G in a conventional Apple Watch. Ultra 3 is the better fit for endurance, outdoor use, and buyers who specifically want the largest display and longest battery rating. SE 3 is the economical route into the platform, with newer connectivity and a more durable cover glass but a lower position in the feature hierarchy.

Existing owners should be more selective. The hypertension notification feature may be valuable for people who meet its intended use requirements, while the battery and glass changes address everyday frustrations. But someone satisfied with their current watch may not find enough reason to upgrade solely for a modestly longer battery rating or a faster charging session.

FAQ

When did Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event take place?

Apple held the event on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. It is now an archived event rather than live coverage.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which Apple Watch models did Apple announce?

Apple announced Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3.

Does Apple Watch Series 11 measure blood pressure?

No. Its hypertension feature is a notification system for signs associated with chronic high blood pressure. It is not a direct blood-pressure measurement or a medical diagnosis, and availability depends on region and regulatory clearance.

What is the correct name of Apple’s new thin iPhone and earbuds?

The phone is called iPhone Air, not iPhone 17 Air. The earbuds are called AirPods Pro 3, not AirPods 3 Pro.

The Bottom Line

Apple’s September 2025 event was a full wearable-line refresh rather than a Series-only launch. Apple Watch Series 11 added hypertension notifications, sleep scoring, 5G, and up to 24 hours of battery life; Ultra 3 pushed endurance to up to 42 hours; and SE 3 modernized the entry model with 5G and tougher cover glass. The iPhone Air and AirPods Pro 3 supplied the event’s other major hardware headlines, but availability, health features, and Live Translation remained dependent on region and device requirements.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More lots from the Journal

  1. Lot1How to Best Sell Your Watch: Choose the Right Channel for Your GoalBlogEstimate 7–9 min
  2. Lot2Spring-Bars and NATOs: A Practical Guide to Watch Straps, Buckles and BarsBlogEstimate 6–8 min
  3. Lot3A Philosophical Guide to Building the Perfect Watch CollectionBlogEstimate 6–8 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.