Technological advances and innovations are bound to cause tectonic shifts in 2025 – not just for the tech industry, but also for business, health, global economies, and the environment.
In consumer tech, numerous people anticipate Apple Inc. to introduce a range of new products and updates geared to enhance user experiences across the Apple ecosystem. Here's what we can look forward to from Apple this year – a mix of officially announced plans and industry speculations.
iPhone SE 4
Status: Unofficial (but pretty solid)
Apple released the SE 3 back in 2022. For this year, people are expecting Apple to release the iPhone SE 4 around March.
The iPhone SE 4 is assumed to adopt a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display and Face ID integration. Powered by the A18 chip, it promises enhanced speed and efficiency. We hope that the camera will be no slouch either, with an anticipated single 48-megapixel rear camera to deliver high-quality photos and videos. For connectivity, this model would likely debut Apple's in-house 5G modem, marking a noteworthy shift from dependence on Qualcomm components.
Apple Home Hub
Status: Speculative
Rumors abound that Apple will fully venture into the smart home hub market, taking on established giants like Amazon and Google.
With a compact, square-shaped display, possibly around six inches, the rumored hub could look a lot like the iPad. But rather than wield the full functionality of the iPad, the hub (or whatever it may end up being called) will focus on serving as a central core for smart home controls, video playback, weather updates, FaceTime calls, and HomeKit device management. And because every device these days needs to incorporate AI or it will be deemed obsolete even before it hits the shelves, the hub would likely have advanced AI capabilities to augment user interaction and device control.
MacBook Air with M4 Chip
Status: Very likely
Industry insiders are all but certain that Apple will refresh its MacBook Air lineup this year with models equipped with the new and powerful M4 chip.
The M4 chip will significantly improve performance, ensuring faster processing and better energy efficiency. However, no one expects Apple to rock the boat on this one, with the overall design remaining consistent with current models.
AirTag 2
Status: Maaaaybe?
The original AirTag carried with it a lot of baggage, with people claiming that the product was unsafe – even featuring in a class action suit. However, the product had a lot of users, so the word on the street is that Apple is working on a second-generation AirTag.
The product would likely utilize an upgraded Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that would improve the product’s location accuracy and range. Design modifications to enhance durability and tamper resistance would also be a logical next step. There may also be potential new features that would integrate the AirTag 2 with other Apple devices, but that’s more speculation that anything right now.
iPhone 17 Series
Status: All but certain
For over a decade, Apple has typically unveiled new iPhones in the first or second week of September. So far this year, there’s no pandemic or global silicon shortage that could change that tradition.
We might see the launch of four models: the basic iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Slim (or Air), the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Unlike previous years where it was reserved for the higher variants, all iPhone 17 iterations are expected to be equipped with low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) panels.
We can also expect the inclusion of ProMotion technology – surprisingly, across all models – which means refresh rates would be up to 120Hz for smoother visuals. Even more rumors on the screen front, the iPhone 17’s display panel may feature a “super-hard AR [anti-reflective] layer” that could potentially end the need for screen protectors.
The 17 could also benefit from Apple’s new A19 chip, bringing a significant boost in performance and efficiency from the iPhone 16’s A18 chip. A more efficient chip, of course, can lead to improvements in battery life – something that every iPhone user longs for.
As for the camera, there’s a dearth of tea regarding the 17’s rear camera – possibly because there’s no (significant) update from the cameras of the iPhone 16. For selfies, however, there are rumors that the company has upgraded its 12megapixel front-facing camera (present since the iPhone 11 Pro Max) to a 24megapixel camera. This will give superior selfies and more vivid video calls for iPhone enthusiasts.
Apple Watch Series 11
Status: Historically supported
We’ve had 10 consecutive launches of an updated version of Apple’s smartwatch and there’s no reason to think it will change this 2025. The product will likely be released alongside the new iPhone sometime in September.
While the core design is unlikely to change, improvements in connectivity such as satellite messaging and 5G, energy efficiency, and display enhancements are expected in this year’s smartwatch refresh. The real news is the likelihood of blood pressure detection capabilities, and if the stars align, hopefully even blood sugar monitoring. The former is probable, while the latter falls more into the realm of wishful thinking.
Environmental Initiatives
Status: Officially announced
As early as two years ago, Apple announced its commitment to a 2025 target to use “100% recycled cobalt in all Apple-designed batteries”. Moreover, “magnets in Apple devices will use entirely recycled rare earth elements, and all Apple-designed printed circuit boards will use 100% recycled tin soldering and 100% recycled gold plating”. We should expect/demand an update on these commitments sometime this year.
Apple also continues to march toward its goal of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint across its entire business by 2030.