Live translation and five other groundbreaking innovations from Apple's 2025 keynote
Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft picks the six top innovations from Apple's keynote event, including the thinnest iPhone ever, AirPods with live translation and high blood pressure alerts on the Apple Watch.
Dezeen was in the audience at the much-hyped annual event, which took place yesterday at the Foster + Partners-designed Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, where Apple launched new iPhone models, Apple Watches and the latest AirPods.
While all of the products boasted improved specs, with improved battery life and better performance, numerous practical innovations caught the eye and drew cheers from the audience.
Apple's thinnest phone
The launch of the iPhone Air, which at 6.5 millimetres thick was described as "impossibly thin", grabbed the majority of the headlines after the event, and for good reason.
Drawing the biggest cheer, the new line of iPhones looks and feels like an entirely new product, albeit very much an iPhone. Along with being extremely thin, the phone is extremely light at 650 grams.
Despite its lightness and thinness, which make it initially feel quite delicate, according to Apple, it is extremely strong and "more durable than any previous iPhone".
Live translation on AirPods
Also drawing a gasp in the theatre was the news that the latest AirPods will be able to translate in real time.
The AirPods Pro 3, in combination with people's iPhones, will use Apple Intelligence to translate face-to-face conversation, while using its noise-cancelling technology to reduce the volume of the speaker's actual voice.
The Live Translation will initially be available in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese added by the end of the year.
High blood pressure alerts
An update that has the potential to save lives was added to the latest range of Apple Watches.
Utilising its optical heart sensor, the watch can alert users to signs of chronic high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and that they should contact a doctor.
According to Apple, clearance for the notifications from regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration, is expected soon. The feature will be available in 150 countries.
Landscape selfies
An update that drew cheers from the content producers at the event was an advancement to the front camera that allows people to take landscape selfies without having to rotate their phone.
Named Center Stage, the new front camera for iPhones uses a square sensor, as opposed to a traditional sensor with a 4:3 aspect. This allows for a wider field of view.
Also, when taking group selfies, the phone will automatically expand the shot to include everyone in the photo.
Orange iPhone
Although the latest iPhone 17 Pro is packed with technological advances – vastly more powerful cameras, longer battery life and more powerful chips, it was its bold orange colour that drew the most attention.
For the first time, the iPhone will be made from a forged unibody aluminium frame, and Apple chose to draw attention to this frame and new profile with a bold colour choice.
The phone will only be available in three colours, silver, deep blue and cosmic orange. By far the most eye-catching was the bright orange, which will grab people's attention when people start using them later this month.
Crossbody Strap
A more low-tech launch will be appreciated by many who want to carry their phones hands-free. While straps have been available for iPhones for a long time from other companies, this is Apple's first-ever cross-body strap, and it will work with its cases.
Made from 100 per cent recycled yarns, the straps will be available in 10 colours that align with the latest iPhone launches.
The images are courtesy of Apple.
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