Apple's First 2025 Products Inbound

yes, the SE is expected.

Author

Brandon Butch
February 14, 2025 • 📖 Read time: 7 minutes

Welcome back! 🍎
Here’s the latest with Apple.

  • New Apple product launch incoming

  • Important software changes

  • New Beats launch

  • & more!

📊 Poll

Last week, we asked: Do you use a Magic Mouse or a 3rd party mouse with your Mac? Why?

Here were my favorite replies:

Magic Mouse - “I like the Magic Mouse despite having large hands. I also don’t really care about where the charging port is. Do I wish it was elsewhere? Yes. Is it a major problem? No.”

3rd Party - “Logitech MX Master 3S partly for ergonomics, but the extra 4 little buttons can be customized, mapped to Keyboard Maestro, and I don't know if I could live without them now.”

This week: Do you think the upcoming budget iPhone will be called iPhone SE or iPhone 16E? More on this below.

Will Apple's budget phone be called SE or 16E?

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🗞️ The Latest

📲 First Product Launch of 2025

Apple is planning to unveil the first iPhone of 2025 next week, but there are still some question marks.

  • Tim Cook announced that Apple will be launching the “newest member of the family” on February 19th.

  • This product launch is expected to be the iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16E - whichever naming scheme Apple decides to go with.

  • The phone is expected to have an iPhone 14-like design with a notch, Apple Intelligence support, a single 48mp camera lens, and cost under $500.

  • The other products that could launch on/around the same time are a new iPad & iPad Air, M4 MacBook Air, and the recently-rumored Home Hub.

  • I would also expect to see iOS 18.4 Beta 1 roll out next week.

My take: I think that the circle in the teaser video hints at the solo 48mp camera lens expected on the iPhone SE 4, not a new AirTag as many speculated.

But I’m stumped on the wording Apple used. Saying “newest member of the family” makes me believe that this could still be named the iPhone 16E instead of SE. What do you think?

⚙️ iOS 18.3.1, TikTok Returns & More

Apple TV+ finally comes to Android

There were a lot of Apple software-related stories this week, some of which are highly controversial. Here’s what to know.

  • TikTok has finally returned to the App Store and Google Play store.

  • iOS 18.3.1 launched with an important (and rare) security patch. Here’s my video explaining everything.

  • Apple Maps & Google Maps have officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. This was one of President Trump’s first orders when he took office.

  • The popular Apple TV+ streaming service is now available on Android, more than 5 years after launch. Now Android users can enjoy Severance!

My take: This was an active week for software, but next week will be even more interesting with iOS 18.4 Beta 1 coming, which will have major changes to Siri.

🎧 Beats Launch Redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2

Powerbeats Pro 2 colors

This week, Apple-owned Beats announced the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, featuring a radical redesign and adding nearly every missing feature from the original 2019 model.

  • The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the first earbuds from Apple/Beats to feature heart rate monitoring during workouts!

  • Compared to the first gens, the earbuds have a 50% smaller ear hook and are 20% lighter.

  • They also have Apple’s H2 chip inside, providing ANC, Transparency Mode, improved sound quality, and more.

  • Battery life is up to 45 hours and the (now 33% smaller) charging case can be charged wirelessly.

  • They come in 4 colors and are $249 on the Apple Store.

  • Here’s my review video, after using the earbuds for the past two weeks.

My take: I have been loving the Powerbeats Pro 2, a lot more than I anticipated. These have fully replaced my AirPods Pro 2 for activities such as the gym, running, sports, etc. Hefty price tag but I think they’re worth it, especially if you can snag them at a discount over the next 6 months or so.

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