Apple event 2025 final countdown live – last-minute news and rumors for iPhone 17, Apple Watch 11 and AirPods Pro 3

iPhone 17 leak might have revealed every battery spec

Right is back to me, Roland, for a new iPhone 17 lea, this time apparently revealing every battery spec for each iPhone 17 model.

This comes from leaker ShrimpApplePro on X, who claims to have found the data in a Chinese regulatory database.

Read more: iPhone 17 leak may have revealed every battery spec – and there are a few juicy surprises

AirPods Max 2? Don't hold your breath

I think it'd be remiss of me not to mention that if you were hoping for a fresh set of Apple over-ears a mere five years after the originals launched in December 2020, don't cancel your plans…

The AirPods Max 2 are one of the most requested products among Apple's devoted fanbase, but despite adding USB-C Lossless audio to the OG set in March 2025 (which I adore) Apple isn't rushing a second-gen. set.

Why? Well, according to a recent Bloomberg report the issue is simple: AirPods Max are "too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money into creating a new version" – and after all, there's the AirPods Pro 3 to focus on, this coming Tuesday…

Disappointed? I think given the length of time between iterations – which is, let me be clear, an awfully long time in audio tech terms – you've every right to be.

Here's what not to expect from the AirPods Pro 3

What should we not expect? Live translation, which is a biggie. And dare I say it, that might leave the tech giant looking a little second-best (hello Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE with real-time translation) against its biggest rival.

Also reportedly off the menu is the rumored IR camera feature. While that was never expected in this set (it's more of a long-term goal for Apple and one I truly cannot wait for) it does leave me wondering if AirPods Pro 3 will still wow viewers if and when they do indeed make their big reveal…

If AirPods Pro 3 arrive without the one thing we all want, is it still good news?

Becky Scarrott, your friendly Audio Editor here, and I've got thoughts on Apple's impending 'Awe Inspiring' event as far as the Cupertino's ice-white earbuds output goes.

The case has been leaked (see above) and most noted tipsters agree: AirPods Pro 3 are a dead cert for Apple's big shindig – but there's a catch.

While the latest leak claims two oft-requested perks will arrive with the new Pro-suffixed AirPods iteration – namely heart-rate monitoring to match the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 and also a temperature sensor – two will not.

Let's talk AirPods Pro 3 and other Apple audio

Now it's time to draw upon the thoughts of Audio Editor Becky Scarrott for what we can expect from the AirPods Pro 3 and other audio products from Apple.

With 'golden ears' Becky Scarrott is a pro at all things audio. And she's well versed Apple's audio suite too.

Will we see an Apple Watch SE 3?

And one more thing from Matt Evans...

"Finally, unconfirmed rumors of an Apple Watch SE 3 persist. Every couple of years, Apple takes some of the Apple Watch's older components, slaps them inside a cheaper case and repackages them as an affordable, accessible Apple Watch capable of running current-gen software. This is the SE series.

"It's been three years since the launch of the Apple Watch SE 2, so the time is ripe for an update. Expect the SE 3 to pack a more powerful chipset and new metallic colors, and it might even share the Apple Watch Series 10's new larger, wraparound screen, in order to future-proof the SE series as much as possible."

Apple Watch Ultra 3: is a big upgrade coming?

Sticking with Matt Evans, he's now talking about the Apple Watch Ultra 3:

"As there was only a new Titanium Black color opton last year, it's very likely we'll get a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, with a similar design and protruding Action Button as its predecessor, the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

"A new chipset and sensor array is likely, and perhaps we'll get satellite connectivity for emergency communication, like the Google Pixel Watch 4.

"5G connectivity is also very likely. All this is in addition to a new chipset, possible blood pressure detection, a brighter screen, and new AI smarts thanks to watchOS 26."

Brightness boost for the Apple Watch

"That same report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also says we'll be getting a brighter screen. With many other watches matching or exceeding Apple, offering up to 3,000 nits of brightness, expect Apple to stay competitive here," noted Evans.

"Unfortunately, if this is true, it's unlikely we'll be getting a battery life increase, which is something I personally want this go-round. I still think 18 hours is too short, even with fast charging."

Expect the Apple Watch Series 11

So it's over to Matt Evans, Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, to give you a lowdown on what we expect from the next generation of Apple Watch:

"First up, the mainline Apple Watch Series 11. Last year, the Apple Watch Series 10 got a big wraparound screen and a slimmer metallic body. For Apple, that's positively revolutionary, so don't expect many exterior design changes here.

"Hardware-wise, it's likely to get a new chipset to future-proof it against even more AI software advances, and blood pressure estimations. Blood pressure without using an inflated cuff is the holy grail most smartwatches have yet to crack with LEDs: at the moment, the standard way to do it is take your measurement with a cuff, then the watch will estimate via your metrics whether it's going up or down.

"If Apple has cracked true cuffless measurement, we'll be very surprised. A new report claims it might not be ready in time."

Right let's bounce away from iPhones for the moment and talk the Apple Watch series...

We've rated iPhone 17 rumors

Give the volume of iPhone 17 rumors that are flying around, my phones team has rated which ones we're most likely to se come to fruition at the Apple event tomorrow.

The most intriguing is the iPhone 17 Air, as Axel Metz explains: "One of the most exciting rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 line concerns the appearance of Apple's new handsets.

"According to reports, the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature large camera blocks running horizontally across their respective rear panels, giving all three phones a Google Pixel 10-style feel."

It's still a tad tricky to determine how likely this will all come to pass, but the camera desing change looks to be locked in.

Read more: iPhone 17 rumors rated – what to really expect at the Apple event

Here's how iPhone 17 could catch up to the Samsung Galaxy S25

Speaking of minor upgrades, perhaps it's more interesting to see think of how the iPhone 17 could challenge the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Well, that's what Staff Writer Jamie Richards had done.

"To put it frankly, the Galaxy S25 is a more advanced phone than the iPhone 16, so if Apple wants the iPhone 17 to compete on a hardware and software level, it’s got some catching up to do," noted Jamie.

Can the iPhone 17 Pro impress?

My colleague and Phones Editor Axel Metz can't seem to get excited for the iPhone 17 Pro; he reckons his iPhone 16 Pro is more than good enough and Apple will have to do something special to win his approval.

"By all accounts, the iPhone 17 Pro will be another home run from Apple. But as someone who’s already totally happy with the performance of my iPhone 16 Pro, I’m struggling to buy into the September 9 Apple event hype," he wrote.

"To be clear: if you’re currently rocking an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, I can absolutely appreciate that the iPhone 17 series sounds like a major step-up. And it will be.

"But a lot of the rumors we’ve been reporting on over the past few weeks refer to upgrades over the iPhone 16 series, specifically. You’ve read about new telephoto cameras, smoother displays, and the minor redesign of the iPhone’s rear panel. This is how Apple will present its 2025 lineup on September 9 – as a year-on-year improvement over its suite of current best iPhones."

More iPhone 17 Pro leaks

According to the latest iPhone 17 rumor, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may not come in black.

It would be very odd for Apple to ditch one of the most common colors in the smartphone world, but this is going by pictures have been posted by reliable tipster @UniverseIce, and are described as "engineering models".

Guess we've not got long to go before we see if the rumor bears fruit.

Catch up on all the iPhone 17 news and rumors

First things first, I've got an article that's pulled together all the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro news and rumors, so do go and check that out so you're up to speed with what to expect from the iPhone side of the Apple event tomorrow.

I reckon the iPhone 17 Pro will steal the show with tipped camera upgrades, but the standard iPhone 17 could still be the one to watch. And we may even see the much-rumored iPhone 17 Air.

Come with me and get ready for the big Apple event

Roland has been covering Apple products for years so is well versed to take you through the run-up to the Apple event on September 9.

Good morning (or good whatever it is wherever you are), I'm Managing Editor of Mobile Computing, Roland Moore-Colyer here to take you through the run-up to the Apple event on September 9.

For more years than I'd care to count, I've been covering Apple and iPhones for years, alongside the occasional flirt with iPads, Apple Watches and Airpods, so I'm well versed in the way of Cupertino and its crew.

Naturally, nothing is official here as Apple keeps very tight-lipped over its upcoming products. But there are enough rumors and leaks to chew over and give us a good idea of what to expect.