The wait is nearly over. Apple holds its big September keynote tomorrow, September 9th. The “Wonderlust” themed event is one of the company’s most important of the year, and as a result, anticipation is at an all-time high for the 2025 Apple September event.
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models will be the main attraction. Alongside the new phones, Apple will also unveil the Apple Watch Series 11. The new watch will feature a groundbreaking new blood pressure sensor.
Beyond the headliners, the event will also feature new AirPods and provide the official release dates for Apple’s latest software. In this article, we will break down everything to expect from the keynote.
iPhone 17: The Star of the 2025 Apple September event
As is tradition, the new iPhone lineup will be the main attraction of the event. This year, the feature gap between the standard and Pro models is set to grow even wider, as Apple reserves its most impressive technology for the high-end devices.
Pro Models to Feature A19 Pro Chip and Advanced Cameras
The new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will use the new A19 Pro chip. This new chip uses a refined 3-nanometer process. It will bring a large boost in speed and power savings. The Pro models will also continue to exclusively feature the fluid 120Hz ProMotion display and the always-on display feature.
The camera system is also getting a big upgrade. Reports suggest an improved 48-megapixel main sensor, which allows to create better photos in low light. The Pro Max will also feature a new periscope telephoto lens. This allows for a much greater optical zoom, around 5x to 6x.
The design will also have small but key changes, with a new, lighter titanium frame. Strong rumors also point to under-display Face ID technology. This would make the Dynamic Island smaller and give users more screen real estate.
Standard Models to Inherit Key Pro Upgrades
The iPhone 17 and 17 Plus won’t be left out, and Apple will give these models some of the best features from last year’s Pro lineup. The most significant upgrade will be the inclusion of the A18 Pro chip. This means the standard models will see a huge jump in performance, easily handling demanding apps and games.
Photography is also getting a boost. The standard models will likely inherit the 48-megapixel main sensor from the iPhone 16 Pro. This upgrade will result in better photos, with far more detail and much better low-light performance. Of course, the Dynamic Island will also be a standard feature across the entire lineup, finally retiring the notch for good, however, the standard models are expected to retain the standard 60Hz display, as Apple keeps ProMotion as a key differentiator for its Pro lineup.
Apple Watch Gets a Major Health-Focused Update
While the iPhone is the main attraction, the Apple Watch will also have a significant year. The theme for 2025 is health, with Apple reportedly ready to introduce its most groundbreaking new sensor technology in years.
Series 11 and the New Blood Pressure Sensor
The star of the new Apple Watch Series 11 will likely be blood pressure monitoring. This feature will reportedly not provide on-demand systolic and diastolic readings. Instead, it will track trends over time. It will then alert users if their blood pressure rises to a high level, prompting them to consult a doctor.
Powering this new sensor will be the more efficient S11 chip. This processor is crucial for analyzing health data without harming battery life. Furthermore, the Series 11 could also feature a noticeable redesign. Rumors suggest a thinner case and a new magnetic band system. This would be the first major change to the band mechanism since the original Apple Watch.
What’s New for the Apple Watch Ultra 3
The rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also in line for a refresh this year. It will receive the two biggest upgrades from the Series 11. This includes the faster and more efficient S11 chip. It will also gain the new blood pressure sensor, bringing Apple’s latest health technology to its high-end model.
In addition to those shared features, the Ultra 3 is rumored to get a few exclusive updates. The most talked-about change is a new dark titanium color option. This would offer a stealthier look compared to the current natural finish. Apple may also use the new chip’s efficiency to further improve the Ultra’s already impressive battery life.
AirPods, Software, and More from the 2025 Apple September Event
Beyond the major hardware reveals, the event will also round out Apple’s ecosystem updates. This includes a much-needed refresh for the standard AirPods and the official launch schedule for this year’s new software.
A Fresh Design for the Upcoming AirPods 4
The standard AirPods are finally due for a major update. The new AirPods 4 will reportedly feature a new design. Reports say this new look is a hybrid of the current entry-level model and the AirPods Pro. It will feature shorter stems for a more modern appearance. Crucially, the charging case will also get an upgrade to USB-C, completing Apple’s transition away from the Lightning port.
We also expect audio quality to improve. Some reports even suggest that a form of Active Noise Cancellation could trickle down from the Pro models. This would make the standard AirPods a much more compelling option for users who want to block out ambient sound without paying a premium for the Pro model.
Release Dates for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe
Finally, the event will put a firm date on Apple’s next wave of software. As announced at WWDC, Apple will share the public release date for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. We expect these updates to arrive sometime in the week following the event.
The company will also announce the release date for macOS Tahoe. While the desktop OS is sometimes released a few weeks after its mobile counterparts, that is not always the case. For example, last year’s macOS Sequoia was released on September 16th, just one week after the event. The keynote will give us the official timeline.
What Not to Expect at the 2025 Apple September Event
While many new products will be on display, some will be absent. It is important to set expectations for what Apple will likely not announce at this particular event.
Do not expect to see new Macs or MacBooks. Apple typically saves its Mac-focused announcements for a separate event in October or November. Likewise, new iPads are also unlikely. The iPad lineup is more often updated in the spring or at its own dedicated event.
last but not least, a successor to the Vision Pro is not expected. The original device is still in its first generation, and a major hardware update is likely still a year or more away. The focus for visionOS will be on software updates for the foreseeable future.
