The orange iPhone stole the show

Key takeaways

The iPhone Air is a notable introduction, praised for its thin design but questioned for practical usability.
AirPods Pro 3 features heart rate sensing and improved ANC, positioning them as a compelling choice for fitness enthusiasts.
The Apple Watch SE3 provides significant upgrades at a reasonable price, making it a good choice for most users.
Accessories like the cross-body strap and woven cases are gaining traction, showing a cultural shift in how users want to interact with their devices.
Apple's focus appears to be on iterative hardware improvements rather than groundbreaking software innovations.

Summary

Apple iPhone 17 Event Recap

The hosts discuss the latest Apple keynote where new devices were introduced, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17 Pro. They reflect on how the devices were received, especially the new design elements and camera features. There's a focus on the iPhone Air, which is described as thinner but with questions about its practical usability given its fragile nature.

AirPods Pro 3 and Their Features

Victoria Song highlights the AirPods Pro 3, noting that they may be the standout product from the event. The discussion covers new features such as heart rate sensing, improved noise cancellation, and a better fit. The hosts appreciate the practical enhancements for workout enthusiasts and everyday users.

Apple Watch Lineup Updates

The conversation shifts to the new Apple Watch models, particularly the SE3 and Ultra 3. The SE3 is praised for its significant improvements, particularly in battery life and features like an always-on display. The Ultra 3 is discussed in terms of its niche appeal, focusing on features relevant to extreme sports and health tracking.

Trendy Accessories and iPhone Aesthetics

The importance of accessories is emphasized, with a particular focus on the newly introduced cross-body strap and woven cases. The hosts discuss how these accessories could change the purchasing decisions of consumers, alongside the appeal of the vibrant new colors introduced with the iPhone lineup. They muse about the cultural significance of such accessories in relation to the devices.

Overall Impression and Future Trends in Apple Products

The hosts reflect on the overall strategy of Apple, noting a shift towards enhancing hardware and software integration rather than revolutionary changes. They discuss the implications of this approach for future Apple products and how current upgrades might not appeal to all consumers.

Show notes

Fresh off a day filled with new Apple products, The Verge’s ground team reports back on everything they’ve seen — and touched. Allison Johnson walks us through the new iPhone Air, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17 Pro lineups, making sense of all the new camera features and wondering just how thin a phone really can be. After that, Victoria Song talks about why the AirPods Pro 3 may have been the big hit of the day, plus all the details on the three new models of Apple Watch. Finally, Jake Kastrenakes tells us about his first experience live at an Apple event, explains the appeal of a crossbody strap, and has a theory about why an orange phone is such a big deal.