Don’t Buy Yet: 17 Surprises With Apple’s New iPhones, AirPods & Watch (The Good and Bad)

9to5Mac September 19, 2025
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9to5Mac covers the latest in Apple News, Tutorials, and Reviews. Specifically, we focus on iPhone and iOS, iPad and iPadOS, Mac and macOS, Apple Watch and watchOS, and much more.

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Apple just dropped a ton of new products — the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3/Series 11. After spending some time with all of them, here are the 17 biggest surprises I found — the good, the bad, and everything in between. If you’re thinking about upgrading, watch this first. ESR Clear Case for iPhone Air: https://amzn.to/4pq3Lig (Under $10!) ESR Color matching iPhone 17 Pro/Max Case: https://amzn.to/3JXkCIV (Under $13!) CAseKoo iPhone 17 Pro/Max Case with Stand: https://amzn.to/4mfmUR9 (Under $24!) Spigen MagSafe Case for all iPhone 17: https://amzn.to/4glfFpr (Under $22!) iPhone Air Bumper: https://amzn.to/4mcLh1E iPhone Air Frosted: https://amzn.to/4m6REDH Apple Tech Woven: https://amzn.to/4mhnw91 Favorite Magsafe battery: https://kuxiu.co/products/kuxiu-s2-power-bank?ref=bjyfkxdn Subscribe to our Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP3DOW_eX2AwO_whrINOi-TuAdgsSR83i https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-overtime/id1727206360 Subscribe to the channel! https://youtube.com/@9to5Mac?sub_confirmation=1 Follow me on X: @nandoprince93 📦 Other tech I like: The $2 Airtag: https://9to5toys.com/2024/11/25/heres-how-to-get-an-airtag-for-just-2/ iMac mini m4: https://amzn.to/3B5Kleg ($529, Normally $599) M2 MacBook Air: https://amzn.to/3VcDlTq ($749, normally $999) M3 Macbook Air: https://amzn.to/3ZcWrtX ($844, normally $1099) M4 MacBook Pro 14: https://amzn.to/3B1CjD6 ($1749, Normally $1999) iPad 10th Gen: https://amzn.to/49bKkC6 ($259, Normally $349) iPad mini 7th Gen: https://amzn.to/3ZrPVkd ($459, Normally $499) iPad Air 11: https://amzn.to/415W6vP ($499, $599) Apple Pencil: Apple Watch SE: https://amzn.to/4idQDJc ($149, Normally $249) Series 10: https://amzn.to/3CQ3ZLM ($359, Normally $429) AW Ultra Ocean: https://amzn.to/3ZqPbvM ($719, Normally $800) AirPods Pro: https://amzn.to/4i7na3H ($153, Normally $249) AirTags: https://amzn.to/3Z9RpP0 ($72, Normally $99) ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Apple’s new lineup in the studio 00:47 – iPhone 17 Pro Max: 8× zoom lens upgrade 01:57 – iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max: new square selfie sensor 02:43 – Pro Max: thinner camera bumps & less wobble 03:00 – Pro Max: noticeable extra weight vs 16 Pro Max 03:38 – Camera plateau doubles as a grip aid 03:55 – Pro Max: early battery & thermal performance 04:40 – Pro Max: rounded edges & “peak iPhone” design 05:14 – iPhone Air: first impressions pulling it out of the box 05:38 – iPhone Air: thinness, lightness, jewelry-like design 06:14 – iPhone Air: heat concerns around titanium build 07:05 – AirPods Pro 3: ANC is massively improved 07:38 – AirPods Pro 3: new hybrid tips (not foamy) 08:12 – AirPods Pro 3: no physical pairing button 08:27 – AirPods Pro 3: hidden LED + stronger pairing process 08:56 – AirPods Pro 3: heart rate sensor surprises 09:35 – Apple Watch Ultra 3 & Series 11: underwhelming 10:35 – Why I don’t recommend upgrading Apple Watch this year 11:10 – Final thoughts: Air vs Pro Max dilemma 11:43 – Outro + baby news ❤️

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