Apple's Upcoming Devices: Details on New OS, iPhone 17 Leaks, and Apple Watch Updates

08/23/2025 Technology

Apple's gearing up for its annual September event, and I'm on the edge of my seat! We're expecting the usual suspects: new iPhones and Apple Watches. But what really has my attention are the rumors swirling around a new operating system and some possible design changes for the iPhone 17.

A New OS for the Smart Home

Imagine a world where your home anticipates your needs. That's the promise of Apple's rumored new operating system, reportedly code-named "Charismatic." Word on the street is that this OS could power a new home hub device and even a tabletop robot! How cool is that? It sounds like Apple is trying to create a central hub for controlling all your smart home devices.

Reportedly, the system will supposedly blend elements of tvOS and watchOS, and revolve around clock faces and widgets. Siri voice commands and touch input will be supported, as well as multi-user support with automatic facial recognition. If true, this could be a game-changer for how we interact with our homes.

iPhone 17 Pro Max: A Peek Inside

Leaked images are always a fun part of the rumor cycle, and we've apparently got some for the iPhone 17 Pro Max! These aren't official, of course, so take them with a grain of salt. These images seem to show two different battery designs. One is L-shaped for models with a physical SIM card tray, and the other is more rectangular for models without it, like those in the U.S. It seems Apple is planning for a future without physical SIM cards.

Apple Watch: What's Next?

It seems like the Apple Watch Ultra is getting its first upgrade since 2023! I am hoping for a significant leap in performance and maybe some new health features. We're also expecting smaller updates to the Series 11 and possibly bigger changes to the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE. And looking further ahead, there's talk of a "significant redesign" in 2026, potentially with Touch ID. That would be a welcome addition, in my opinion.

iOS 26: Nearing Release

Apple is putting the final touches on iOS 26. The latest betas include a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature and a new Adaptive Power mode to save battery. I'm always excited to see what new features and improvements Apple brings to its operating systems. It's great to see Apple continuing to refine and improve its software.

Farewell, FineWoven?

Remember those FineWoven cases that debuted with the iPhone 15? They didn't exactly receive rave reviews. It looks like Apple might be replacing them with a new "TechWoven" material for the iPhone 17 lineup. We will see if it has better durability and a more premium feel. There's also talk of a "Crossbody Strap" accessory, which could be interesting for those who like to keep their phones close.

Security Updates

Security is always a top concern, and Apple recently released iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1 updates to address a memory corruption issue. Apple says that this issue may have been actively exploited in targeted attacks. So, while most users are probably not at risk, I do recommend you update your devices to stay safe.