At the “Awe Dropping” event, alongside the announcements of the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, and other devices, Apple confirmed the macOS release date for Tahoe 26, as well as for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26. All major software updates will be available starting Monday, September 15, 2025.
New in macOS Tahoe 26
One of the most striking updates in years is the new Liquid Glass design. Across all devices, it brings a sleek, translucent, glass-like look and makes navigation simpler with cleaner bars, pop-out menus, and more intuitive controls.
Beyond the Liquid Glass redesign rolling out across all Apple platforms, macOS Tahoe brings significant improvements to Finder, Spotlight, and Continuity, along with enhanced Apple Intelligence features that boost accessibility and automation.
The biggest change for many users in this macOS update is the revamped Spotlight. It now has a clipboard manager and automation options. You can send emails or texts, create notes, run Shortcuts, and more – directly from the search bar for faster, more efficient workflows.
Apple Intelligence also adds new communication tools, including live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls. The Phone app on Mac now offers familiar iPhone features like Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail, plus new tools such as Call Screening and Hold Assist. The update also introduces the all-new Journal and Games apps.
For more details on what’s new in macOS Tahoe, check out our dedicated roundup.
Be sure to explore our apps designed to make your digital life smoother, whether you’re managing files, streaming media, or connecting devices. They combine ease of use with powerful functionality to keep your Mac experience seamless and efficient.
- Elmedia Player – A media player that plays almost any media file and supports streaming.
- Commander One – A dual-pane file manager that makes organizing files faster and easier.
- CloudMounter – Access and manage cloud storage as if it were a local drive.
- MacDroid – Simple tool to transfer files between Mac and Android devices.
- JustStream – Stream and mirror your Mac content to smart TVs and other devices.
What’s New in iOS 26
iOS 26 delivers a striking new design, enhanced Apple Intelligence features, and a range of other updates for iPhone users. Some of them include:
- New Liquid Glass Design: Glass-like clarity and fluid design bring a vibrant, expressive look to your Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Center, apps, and more.
- Lock Screen: Enjoy dynamic widgets, vibrant customization, and smarter personalization options.
- Shortcuts: Accelerate workflows with intelligent actions that can summarize text, create images, and use Apple Intelligence models for any custom query.
- Phone App Redesign: Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail are now combined into a single “Calls” tab, creating a unified hub for all call activity in the app.
- Manage Unwanted Calls: Call Screening automatically handles unknown callers, so you’re not interrupted.
- Live Translation: Real-time translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages.
- Messages App: Create polls in group chats, filter unknown senders, and enjoy a more personalized messaging experience.
- Visual Intelligence: Built on Apple Intelligence, it lets you search across apps, add calendar events, and ask questions, helping you do more with what’s on your screen.
- Photos: Updated layout separates Library and Collections for easier organization and browsing.
- AirPods Camera Remote: Start video recording in the Camera app using AirPods or AirPods Pro (H2 chip) with a simple press and hold.
- Apple Music: Lyrics translation, pronunciation guides, and AutoMix.
iOS 26 comes preinstalled on the iPhone 17 series and can also be installed on iPhone 11–16 and iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer).
Apple also introduced updates for watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, and visionOS.
- watchOS 26 brings smarter health and fitness tracking, faster performance, and new watch faces for a more personalized experience. The key new feature in watchOS 26, Workout Buddy, provides personalized workout tips based on your previous activity.
- iPadOS 26 enhances multitasking, adds improved Apple Pencil tools, and adds more intuitive navigation for productivity and creativity. Manage, access, and edit your files in new ways, and keep using your iPad smoothly even when working with large files.
- visionOS expands Apple’s spatial computing experience with immersive apps, seamless device integration, and innovative ways to interact with content.
iPhone Air
Returning to hardware news, Apple has unveiled a new iPhone update with its long-rumored iPhone Air, replacing the iPhone Plus in the lineup.
The all-new iPhone Air is incredibly thin and light – just 5.6 mm thick (about 0.08 inches thinner than current models) and weighs 165 g. Despite its ultra-slim design, it’s powered by the A19 Pro chip, delivering top-tier performance. It features a space-grade titanium frame and comes in Cloud White, Light Gold, Space Black, and Sky Blue finishes.
The iPhone Air has a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a new 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera that automatically adapts to both portrait and landscape orientations.
iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Redesigned and Upgraded
Alongside the iPhone Air, Apple introduced the iPhone 17. It has been redesigned to look more like the Pro models. It now has a 6.3-inch display (0.2 inches bigger than the iPhone 16) and upgrades to a 120Hz screen for smoother scrolling and gaming. The phone comes with a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 2x optical-quality telephoto, a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, and an 18MP Center Stage front camera. The iPhone 17 is available in five colors: Lavender, Mist Blue, Black, White, and Sage.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max bring a fresh design and notable upgrades. They feature three 48MP Fusion cameras – Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto – offering powerful zoom up to 8x.
The 18MP Center Stage front camera makes selfies clearer and more lively. You can widen the view, switch between portrait and landscape, and the camera automatically adjusts to fit everyone in the frame.
Apple replaced the titanium frame with aluminum, making the devices lighter while maintaining durability. Both models feature a 120Hz ProMotion display, improved AI-powered photography, and start with 256GB of storage.
The iPhone 17 Pro models come in three striking finishes: Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver.
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3: Smarter Health Features
After a two-year wait, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 3, bringing faster charging, 5G support, and satellite connectivity, along with a larger display.
A standout addition for both the Ultra 3 and Series 11 is blood pressure monitoring, which alerts users if their readings are too high or too low.
The third-generation Apple Watch SE received fewer updates, gaining only an always-on display and the improved S10 chip for faster performance.
AirPods Pro 3
Following the AirPods Pro 2 launch in 2022, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3. The new earbuds are more compact, deliver enhanced audio, and include a heart-rate sensor that monitors your heart rate and calories burned during workouts. They also feature live translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, enabling real-time translation of foreign languages.
Release Dates and Availability
The iPhone 17 launch date is set for September 19, 2025, with pre-orders opening on September 12. The same release schedule applies to the iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3
Conclusion
At Apple’s September 2025 “Awe Dropping” event, the company announced major software and hardware updates. Software updates coming on September 15 include iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and iPadOS 26, featuring a new Liquid Glass design, smarter Apple Intelligence, and improved productivity and communication tools.
Hardware updates include the ultra-thin iPhone Air, the redesigned iPhone 17 series, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, and the upgraded AirPods Pro 3 – combining style, performance, and new features.
