Two reasons why I'm thrilled that there's no new Apple Watch Ultra or AirPods Pro

So, Apple has lifted the lid on the long-awaited and much-leaked iPhone 16, the product that will drive a significant portion of Apple’s profits over the coming twelve months. Along with the iPhone, there was also a new Apple Watch and new AirPods.

However, what was missing from the lineup was a new Apple Watch Ultra and updated AirPods Pro earbuds. Instead, we saw Apple roll out new, advanced features for the existing lineup of hardware. Sure, there’s a new Apple Watch Ultra in a black finish, but on the inside, it seems like this new product is essentially the same as the old one.

Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which new iPhone should you buy?

While I’m under no illusions that there won’t be updated products in the future, it’s refreshing to see Apple focusing on leveraging the hardware that’s already out there, rather than trying to sell new devices. After all, this not only gives a new lease of life to these two product lines, extending their lifespan by probably another year, but it also means that people who have already purchased this hardware will receive new features.

It’s a win for consumers, and it’s also a win for the planet because it means that fewer of these gadgets end up in recycling centers or landfills. After all, with the best intentions, gadgets such as smartwatches and earbuds are often considered disposable tech; once the battery has worn out, a trip to the recycling center is the best we can hope for them.

However, recycling isn’t the utopia that some believe it to be. According to the UN’s Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, approximately 62 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2022, an 82% increase from 2010, and e-waste is growing at a rate five times faster than it can be recycled.

Also: Your AirPods Pro 2 can soon double as over-the-counter hearing aids. Here’s how

Added longevity is extra important since nowhere in the iPhone launch event did we hear Apple talk about repairability. Devices are getting smaller and thinner and more crammed with technology and increasingly reliant on batteries that can’t be replaced easily.

 Therefore, anything that helps prolong the lifespan of these gadgets and keeps them in the ears and on the wrists of users for longer can’t be a bad thing. It’s also a testament to how much power was built into these devices at the time of launch, and how Apple is still managing to put that power to good use with new features.