Ultra-thin iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3 and new Apple Watches: What to remember from Apple's latest keynote

From its Cupertino headquarters, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Apple held its traditional back-to-school event, called the "keynote," on Tuesday, September 9. In an impeccably staged presentation, the apple company presented a new range of products, some more innovative than others, which will arrive on the market in the coming weeks. From the iPhone Air to the new Apple Watch range, including the AirPods Pro 3, Apple promises, as it does every year, "revolutionary" performance , without ever neglecting its signature design, studied down to the smallest details. Here are the main innovations not to be missed.

The event, watched by millions of spectators each year, opened with the presentation of the AirPods Pro 3, Apple's new generation of wireless headphones. The brand claims to offer "the world's best active noise reduction for in-ear headphones," four times more efficient than that of the AirPods Pro 2. Design-wise, there are few changes: the earbuds and case remain unchanged, but five sizes of silicone ear cushions will guarantee better comfort. The real novelty comes from the integration of Apple Intelligence, which brings two new functions: near-instant translation for dialoguing in a foreign language, and heart rate monitoring connected to the Health app and Fitness+. The AirPods Pro 3 are already available for pre-order and will be released on September 19, starting at €249.

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Next up is a brand new generation of Apple Watch, "the most popular watch in the world," according to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Starting with the Series 11, "the thinnest model ever," which gains a screen twice as scratch-resistant, upgrades to 5G, and offers up to 24 hours of battery life, compared to 18 for the Series 10. The Apple Watch SE3, the entry-level model initially expected in 2024, will also be released on September 19, and will also be equipped with 5G. Finally, the Ultra 3, aimed at athletes, offers the largest screen ever seen on an Apple Watch. This very high-end model will have a battery life of 42 hours and a satellite connection, which allows you to stay in touch with your loved ones even when your smartphone no longer has a network. Like the AirPods Pro 3, the new Apple Watches are already available for pre-order and will be released on September 19. Price : €449 for the Series 11, €269 for the SE3 and €899 for the Ultra 3.

The latest addition to the range arrives without disrupting previous models. The screen goes from 6.1 to 6.3 inches and a new color palette, including "Lavender," makes its debut. However, it features the A19 chip, which reportedly makes it 18% faster than the iPhone 16 and offers slightly better battery life than its predecessor, with two additional hours. On the photo side, it has a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. But the main improvement concerns storage: for the first time, this model will be sold with a minimum capacity of 256 GB, much more than its predecessors. Pre-orders for the iPhone will open in France this Friday, September 12 at 2 p.m. The release is scheduled a week later, on Friday, September 19. Price of the iPhone 17: €969.

This is undoubtedly the big news of this "keynote." The iPhone 17 Air, presented by Tim Cook as an "all-new model," confirms the rumors about it: with an unprecedented thinness, only 0.56 cm, "it seems to disappear in your hand," claims the presentation video. This extreme thinness does not sacrifice power: the device integrates the A19 Pro chip. On the photo side, it has a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, both boosted by AI, as well as an 18-megapixel front sensor for selfie lovers. Battery life remains its Achilles heel, the battery being limited by its small size. To compensate, Apple offers a MagSafe external battery, which will extend its use. Another major change: the iPhone Air abandons the physical SIM port in favor of the exclusive eSIM. iPhone Air price: €1229.

Apple has finally unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro, the top-of-the-line models in the series. Performance is the priority: like the iPhone 17 Air, they feature the A19 Pro chip, but with a revised cooling system to prevent overheating and allow for extended use without performance loss. Particular emphasis has been placed on the device's durability: the back features a Ceramic Shield plate to better withstand drops, while the front adopts Ceramic Shield 2 to resist scratches. On the photo and video side, the iPhone 17 Pro and its big brother, the Pro Max, live up to their ambitions, with three 48-megapixel sensors, with advanced AI integration to improve shots. Price: €1,329 for the iPhone 17 Pro and €1,479 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.