Apple's 'Awe Dropping' Event 2025 Live Updates: iPhone 17 Series, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch 11 And Everything Else You Can Expect

Image Credits: Apple

Just hours before Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event, the company’s online store has gone dark—a move that has become something of a ritual before big announcements. The shutdown builds anticipation as fans wait for the curtain to lift on the iPhone 17 lineup and other new hardware. It’s all part of Apple’s playbook: the store goes offline before the keynote, only to reappear afterward refreshed with the latest products ready for order.

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TechWoven might be Apple’s answer to last year’s FineWoven misstep, but it’s unlikely to be the only case making its debut at the iPhone 17 launch. Rumours suggest Apple has a few more designs in store.

One of the most talked-about is the return of the Bumper Case, reportedly tailored for the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. Much like the version released with the iPhone 4, this case is expected to protect the phone’s edges while leaving the back exposed — a simple way to safeguard against drops without bulking up the design.

Leaks also hint at a brand-new liquid silicone case. This one is said to feature a matte finish, a soft-touch feel, and a splash of bright colour choices. Rounding things out is a rumoured Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 17 Air, aimed at addressing the phone’s smaller battery by giving users a little extra juice on the go.

The iPhone 15 launch wasn’t just remembered for the phones — it also brought FineWoven cases, which quickly turned into a flop. Marketed as sustainable, the material couldn’t hold up to everyday use, scratching and wearing so easily that Apple pulled the line just a year later.

This time, Apple seems ready to make amends with the debut of TechWoven cases. Early reports claim they’ll deliver the same eco-friendly benefits but with far better durability, along with what Apple is calling “an elegant, minimalist look.”

The lineup is expected to come in black, brown, green, purple, and blue. Another change is the addition of two small holes, designed to work with Apple’s new crossbody strap — a magnetic lanyard that lets you carry your iPhone hands-free.

Image Credits: Apple

It turns out Apple might have one more trick up its sleeve for the ‘Awe Dropping’ showcase. Despite earlier expectations that no new iPads would appear, fresh leaks suggest the M5 iPad Pro could share the stage with the iPhone 17, Apple Watch 11, and AirPods Pro 3.

The tip comes via an anonymous source cited by 9to5Mac, hinting that Apple’s already packed lineup may get even busier. Typically, iPads get their own spotlight, but there’s a special reason this timing makes sense.

The buzz around AirPods Pro 3 suggests the upgrade could be fairly modest, with whispers that a more advanced version might follow next year. Still, for Tom’s Guide audio editor Tammy Rogers, there’s only one thing that truly matters this time around: improved sound quality.

AirPods Pro 2 already deliver a solid listening experience, but they fall short when stacked against rivals like Sony and Bose. Both competitors offer richer, more refined audio at similar price points. And while Apple’s earbuds shine with extra features and seamless ecosystem perks, those bells and whistles don’t mean much if the sound doesn’t keep up.

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Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the ‘Awe Dropping’ event, but its ultra-thin design may come with compromises that set it apart from the iPhone 17 Pro in ways you might not love.

The most pressing concern is battery life.Leaks suggest the 17 Air will carry a 3,036 mAh battery, noticeably smaller than the Pro’s 3,988 mAh cell.Even with Apple’s usual software optimizations, the difference is unlikely to go unnoticed.

Beyond that, the Air is expected to ship with a single rear camera, no anti-reflective display coating, and an A19 Pro chip that drops a GPU core compared to the Pro model.None of these changes are deal-breakers individually, but stacked together, they could give buyers reason to think twice before committing.

Image Credits: X/@theapplehub

Apple seems set to shake things up with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, if recent leaks are anything to go by.Instead of the familiar square camera island, the new models are expected to feature a sleek camera bar stretching across the entire width of the phone.

While the main cameras appear to be in their usual places, the flash and LiDAR sensor may shift toward the edge.Another detail still being pieced together is the finish.Early leaks hinted at a possible two-tone look, and newer images seem to confirm it.

The design could pair a metal camera bar that matches the phone’s frame with a glass panel underneath — a choice that not only changes the aesthetic but should also keep wireless charging and other features running smoothly.

Image Credits:x/ @theapplehub

Rumors around the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max point to one of the biggest camera upgrades yet — a jump to a 48MP telephoto lens. That would be a major leap from the 12MP sensor on the current iPhone 16 Pro models.

What’s still up in the air, though, is how much zoom Apple plans to deliver. Some reports suggest the new telephoto may actually dial things back, offering just 3.5x optical zoom. That’s still a touch better than the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus with their 3x zoom, but it would fall short of both the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x zoom and the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s impressive 5x reach.

On the brighter side, other leaks hint at a much more exciting upgrade — up to 8x zoom. If that rumor pans out, Apple’s Pro models could easily reclaim the spotlight in mobile photography.

Image Credits: Future

Apple could introduce as many as three new smartwatches before the day is over, making this one of the biggest shake-ups to the lineup in years. To help make sense of it all, here’s a quick look at what’s expected for the Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3.

The Apple Watch 11 is shaping up to be the mainstream upgrade, with leaks pointing to a brighter display, along with potential new health and safety features like blood pressure monitoring and satellite messaging. Both of those additions are also rumoured for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which may also see a slight bump in size and possibly a new microLED display for even sharper visuals.

Details on the Apple Watch SE 3 are thinner, but whispers suggest Apple might experiment with a plastic case. That move could open the door for brighter colour options — and maybe even a lower entry price.