Apple Awe Dropping recap

An editorial take on what Apple left out at the Awe Dropping event and what could arrive later this year.

Apple Awe Dropping leaves key devices unseen

Apple’s Awe Dropping event ran about 1 hour and 20 minutes and showcased several new devices and features. The company highlighted what it announced, but a number of widely rumored items did not appear. Rumors had suggested two AirPods Pro 3 variants, including one with an infrared camera sensor, but that version was not shown at the event. AirTag 2 was also not announced, and the M5 iPad Pro did not make an appearance either. The lineup did include updates to other products, while there was no black color option for the iPhone 17 Pro.

Other rumored products that did not surface include Apple Vision Pro 2, the possibility of an Apple TV 4K with an A17 Pro chip, and the HomePod mini 2. Industry chatter had suggested a fall window or an October follow‑up, but Apple did not announce these items at this event. The event did announce existing devices and features, and there is continued talk that some items may come later this year or via a press release. The status of the F1 streaming rights dispute also remained unresolved with no deal announced during the event.

Apple’s pacing of hardware reveals a deliberate strategy rather than a single big splash. By holding back several rumored devices, the company signals it is tuning cadence to match supply, chip availability, and a growing software ecosystem. It may dampen immediate excitement for some fans, but it also reduces the risk of overhang if demand shifts during the holiday season. This approach can be costly in the short term if anticipation turns to impatience, yet it preserves longer term momentum for newer platforms such as Vision Pro as the ecosystem matures.

Highlights

The year ahead will test how Apple balances hype with steady product cadence.