Enough has been written about Apple's announcements last week at its famous annual event. The real question is: What did Apple NOT tell us?
Apple has a knack for highlighting certain features while conveniently ignoring others — even when those omissions might be just as important, if not more so. It’s almost as if the company dares reviewers to uncover the hidden gems, or in this case, the hidden pitfalls.
Last week’s showcase introduced the iPhone 17 lineup — the base model, the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new entrant, the iPhone Air. There were also updates to the Apple Watch and the debut of the AirPods Pro 3. But behind the shiny presentations, Apple left a lot unsaid.
The iPhone Air: Sleek but flawed
Let’s start with the big headliner, the iPhone Air. On paper, it’s stunning — just 5.6 millimeters thin, weighing only 5.8 ounces. It looks more like a piece of jewelry than a phone. Apple knows this, which is why it unveiled accessories like a strap that’s bound to sell by the millions.
5 View gallery
The iPhone air is just 5.6 millimeters thin, weighing only 5.8 ounces
(Photo: Daniela Ginsburg)
But here’s what Apple didn’t highlight: this phone is almost guaranteed to overheat. The iPhone Air packs the same chip as the Pro models, but unlike those devices it lacks the cooling system that keeps temperatures in check. In other words, good luck using the iPhone Air on a hot Tel Aviv day.
Battery life is another weak spot. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers up to 35 hours of video playback, the Air taps out at 22. For heavy users, that’s a serious compromise.
Then there’s the camera system. Unlike the Pro models, the Air skips the macro lens — one of my personal favorite features on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That means no crisp close-up shots of food, flowers or intricate details. For me, that’s a deal breaker.
So yes, the iPhone Air is an engineering marvel. But the trade-offs — overheating, reduced battery life, and downgraded cameras — make it a no-go in my book.
Apple Watch: More of the same
Apple also revealed its latest Apple Watch. My take? Meh. Incremental updates, but nothing that made me want to upgrade.
The real winner: AirPods Pro 3
Where Apple truly delivered was with the AirPods Pro 3. I’ll be buying them, no hesitation. They sound better, fit better, and offer improved noise isolation. They even look sleeker.
Apple also packed in some welcome upgrades: a built-in heart rate sensor for workouts, eight hours of battery life with noise cancellation and, most importantly, significantly better durability.
This year’s AirPods Pro 3 are IP57-rated — meaning they’re dust resistant and can withstand submersion in water. That’s a big leap from last year’s IP54 rating, which only covered splashes. While I wouldn’t recommend showering with them, you can now sweat through a workout or get caught in the rain without worry.
For me, the combination of better battery life, superior noise cancellation, and the tougher water-resistance standard makes the AirPods Pro 3 a clear winner.
Bottom line:
For me, the standout products are the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the AirPods Pro 3. The iPhone Air, despite its design brilliance, just doesn’t deliver where it counts. The Apple Watch? Forgettable.
Apple’s event was as polished as ever, but the details it chose to skip tell the real story.
The good, the bad, and the ugly — now you know.