Our Favorite Travel Features From Apple’s 2025 Event [AirPods, iPhone, Watch, and More]

For tech nerds, early September is like Christmastime. It’s when Apple holds its biggest conference of the year and reveals its latest and greatest product innovations.

This year’s “Awe Dropping” event just concluded in Cupertino, California, where Apple showcased several new products and features that will excite anyone who relies on their tech while traveling.

From an all-new iPhone model to a new feature that should make traveling abroad less intimidating, here’s what’s in store from Apple’s latest product lineup.

iPhone Air

At its September 9 event, Apple unveiled the iPhone Air, a brand-new iPhone model.

The all-new iPhone Air could be a perfect travel companion, thanks to its impossibly thin form factor and light weight. It measures just 5.6 millimeters thick and a vanishing 165 grams. Despite its diminutive looks, it packs a punch, with Apple’s latest A19 Pro chip on board and an expansive 6.5-inch screen.

If you’re worried that camera quality — a very important consideration for travelers who use iPhones as their primary camera — would decline, Apple has you covered. It devised an entirely new camera system that packs impressive stats into this small frame. It features a 48MP Fusion main camera, an 18MP Center Stage front camera, and the ability to shoot 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) with Dolby Vision quality. Apple says it’s the equivalent of having 4 cameras in 1.

The iPhone Air also offers up to 27 hours of video playback and robust charging power, giving you up to 50% battery in just 30 minutes, making it a formidable companion for traveling.

Available for preorder on September 12, 2025, the iPhone Air starts at $999 for the entry-level 256GB model and can cost as much as $1,399 for the top storage option (1TB).

iPhone 17 Lineup

This year is a big one for the iPhone. In addition to iPhone Air, Apple unveiled the 17th-generation iPhone lineup, including iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is the entry-level model in this year’s lineup. Available in a range of 5 colors — black, white, sage, lavender, and mist blue — it offers powerful features including the A19 chip, an 18MP Center Stage front camera, a 48MP Dual Fusion back camera system, a 6.3-inch display, up to 11 hours of additional video playback with improved batteries, and the Ceramic Shield 2 system for better durability.

The iPhone 17 starts at $799 for the 256GB model and goes up to $999 for 512GB of storage. Preorders begin September 12, 2025.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the top models in the iPhone lineup. The primary difference between the 2 is that the Pro offers a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max offers a 6.9-inch screen and a slightly larger battery.

They both, however, deliver on performance. Constructed with a new, unibody aluminium frame, these phones should offer users the best in computing power, battery life, and durability.

Apple continues to improve camera technology on its Pro iPhone models, which is a big contributor to the phone’s popularity among travelers who want to take camera-quality photos right on their phones.

The iPhone 17 Pro models offer the longest telephoto lens ever on an iPhone, the equivalent of a 200-millimeter focal length. The tri-lens system also offers a 56% larger sensor and a 16x optical zoom. In total, the camera system offers a 48MP Fusion main camera, a 48MP Fusion ultra-wide camera, a 48MP Fusion telephoto camera, and an 18MP Center Stage front camera that offers automatic switching between portrait and landscape orientation without you having to rotate your phone — perfect for capturing moments on the go with new travel friends or family you’ve brought with you.

For the influencers out there, you’ll be happy to learn that the video camera system now offers dual-capture video, meaning you can record yourself with the front camera while simultaneously recording what’s in front of you with the back camera. That will surely be a hit with travelers wanting to post unique videos to their social media accounts.

The iPhone 17 Pro ranges in price from $1,099 for the 256GB model to $1,499 for 1TB of storage. The 17 Pro Max ranges in price from $1,199 for 256GB all the way up to $1,999 for the exclusive 2TB model. Preorders begin September 12, 2025.

Apple Watch

Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, each with a few new features that will be welcome news to travelers.

First, Apple Watch Series 11 products now get a boost in battery life — up to 24 hours in total — which is perfect for those long travel days involving overnight flights. Also, Series 11 models support 5G connectivity, making it easier and faster to stay connected even if you don’t have your iPhone on you.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 models now have satellite communication capabilities, allowing you to stay connected — and safe — even when you can’t connect to a wireless carrier’s network. This is a great feature for intrepid travelers who like to get off the beaten path. They can have greater peace of mind knowing they can communicate if something were to go awry on an intense hike or simply exploring a rural or sparsely populated area.

Apple Watch Series 11 is available to preorder now. It comes in 2 sizes, 42 or 46 millimeters, and 2 finishes: aluminum or titanium. Prices start at $399 and go up to $749.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also available to preorder now. It comes in 2 colors and prices range from $799 to $899.

AirPods Pro

When they were initially released a few years ago, Apple’s AirPods quickly became a must-have travel accessory. Now, Apple has unveiled AirPods Pro 3, which feature the latest noise-canceling technology.

However, that’s not the main attraction with this year’s AirPods Pro. Apple Intelligence has enabled AirPods Pro 3 to offer live translation technology. If you’re wearing your AirPods Pro, you can listen to people speaking in other languages, and the AirPods will translate what they’re saying and relay it to your ears.

You can talk back in your native language, and your speech will be translated into their language on your iPhone screen. That’s a pretty incredible feature for anyone traveling abroad — here’s to breaking down language barriers!

AirPods Pro 3 are available now to preorder for $249.

Accessories

Apple introduced a couple of notable accessories today that will be of particular interest to travelers. The first is the all-new MagSafe battery for iPhone Air ($99). This removable battery pack connects magnetically to the back of the iPhone Air to provide up to 65% additional battery life. However, it can also work together with the phone’s battery to decide when to recharge, extending battery life to the longest possible.

Traveling necessitates devices with a charge, and this powerful accessory can keep your super-slim phone going all day long — and you’ll still barely notice it in your pocket when you’re not using it.

Finally, Apple has joined the fun third-party companies have had for years by offering a crossbody strap ($59) for select cases that fit the new iPhone range. It allows you to keep your phone on you without needing pockets, a bag, or your hands. It may not be the best setup where pickpockets are a concern, but it could be a practical and fun way to travel with your phone without having to hold it.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event delivered an entirely new iPhone model and significant updates to many of our favorite gadgets.

As travelers, we’re particularly excited about the new AirPods Pro 3’s live translation capabilities, and the camera updates across the iPhone range look like they’ll continue to deliver for those who use their smartphone as their primary camera.

Many of these products are available to preorder now, and the rest will become available to do so in the coming days. Happy ordering!