iPhone 17 and AirPods Pro 3: Real-World Impressions from Apple’s Keynote

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup, iOS 26, AirPods Pro 3, and Apple Watch updates are here—plus Meta unveiled its next-gen Ray-Ban glasses with a display. Marc and Mitchell dig into design compromises, battery life, transparency mode, wearable health, and whether Meta’s AR push is ready for prime time. In this episode of Your Tech Report, Marc Aflalo and Mitchell Whitfield unpack Apple’s latest keynote. They debate the new iPhone Air—its stunning design, slimmer body, and controversial smaller battery that prompted Apple to release a dedicated MagSafe pack. They compare the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Pro Max, and Air, spotlighting why the regular 17 may be the best value yet with the A19 chip, strong cameras, and upgraded battery life. On iOS 26, the hosts note subtle design shifts like “liquid glass” and workflow tweaks that feel aimed at new users. Mitchell highlights CarPlay-inspired features like send-confirmation bars, while Marc finds the update faster and cleaner, with accessibility customization essential for low-vision users. AirPods Pro 3 earn rave reviews for memory foam tips that improve fit, vastly improved transparency, and hearing-aid-level clarity. Marc shares an “aha moment” about mixing different-sized ear tips for each ear, while Mitchell calls them the most natural transparency mode yet. Live translation is rolling out, with more languages coming in 2025. Apple Watch Series 11 gets incremental upgrades, while Ultra 3 adds satellite SOS, reinforcing the watch as both fitness and safety device. Marc describes using sleep tracking and heart rate alerts as proactive health tools. Finally, they break down Meta’s announcements: new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with better cameras, audio, and longer battery life—and a bold first-gen display model with a wristband controller. While the innovation excites them, Marc raises concerns about eye strain and safety from focusing on near-field displays. Like what you heard? Subscribe, drop a comment with your thoughts on iPhone 17 or AirPods Pro 3, and let us know which new device you’re considering upgrading to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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