2025 has started on the wrong foot, depending on where you are. But if you’re in a part of the U.S. that’s not on fire, at least there’s some leverage on the way in the form of rumors of Apple’s next product launches. What are leaks, if not a reason, to distract yourself from the current horror and harrowing state of affairs?
Every rumor monger’s favorite weekly Bloomberg newsletter, written by Mark Gurman, reveals what’s on the horizon for Apple in 2025, at least based on his sources. Most of Gurman’s newsletter reads like an astrology chart for the year; here’s where your stars align and why that justifies what’s about to happen to you. But since we have no other tea leaves to turn to, it’s a good place to start. This year may be one of Apple’s most significant years. Gurman says we’ll remember it as “a stepping stone toward more revolutionary products.”
Gurman has already solidified that the much-rumored iPhone SE will see a reprise alongside this year’s iPhone 16 lineup. Just don’t expect it to launch as soon as this month. It will likely debut in the middle of the year, around April, with a major iOS 18 update. It’s everything we’ve been talking about in the rumor mill. It’s good news for the rumor that it’s mentioned in the Gurman newsletter.
The updated iPhone SE is expected to lose the home button and adopt Face ID for security, like the rest of the product lineup. It will also have some form of Apple Intelligence, as the rumors have already whispered, since that’s where Apple’s R&D is going lately. It might also have the name iPhone 16E. Guess as to what the “E” stands for? I still think it stands for “economical.” Whatever it’s called, Gurman has reported in the past that it will bring a significant “shake-up to the iPhone line.”
Once that happens, we can expect the iPad to see an iPhone SE-style revival. The new iPads will be essentially categorized as “low-end.” They will accompany a family of iPad Air models and entry-level Magic Keyboards to match.
Products that haven’t been refreshed in years, namely the Apple TV and HomePod, will be resurrected with a new design and improved features. Gurman adds that these two will also be positioned with Apple’s smart home ecosystem in mind, which has been dormant for the past two years. (To be fair, it’s been quiet everywhere; the smart home isn’t as vibrant of a place to market as it used to be.)
For Mac heads, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will get an immediate refresh. They’re already in production overseas and include the latest M4 chip inside the MacBook Pro and iPad. The Mac Pro is also getting its next juice-up, but don’t expect a design change.
The last juicy tidbit of Gurman’s newsletter is a gut punch for Vision Pro fans: It reminds us its role in the Walled Garden remains a work in progress. Don’t expect a second-generation Vision Pro this year—this soon—since the first generation is still finding its place in the ecosystem. Instead, expect an improved AirTag, which has sold much better for Apple.
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