iPhone SE 4 and more: What Apple is planning for spring 2025

After the M4 Macs expected this October, the focus is now turning to Apple's spring 2025. Production of the new, cheaper entry-level model – iPhone SE 4 – will start soon, as the financial news agency Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources. Apple is expected to offer the iPhone SE 2025 several hundred euros cheaper than the iPhone 16 and should launch the model series in March or April. According to the report, the manufacturer wants to offer a device that will better compete with cheaper Android smartphones.

iPhone SE as a test run for Apple's 5G modem

According to rumors, the fourth generation of the iPhone SE is based on the design of the iPhone 14, while the 48-megapixel camera is on par with the iPhone 15. In order to support the Apple Intelligence AI package, Apple would have to integrate the latest components such as the A18 chip and 8 GB of RAM. This would bring the entry-level model very close to the recently launched iPhone 16 – Elements such as the action button, camera button, ultra-wide-angle lens and the "Dynamic Island", which displays information at the top of the screen, are probably missing. The iPhone SE 3, which Apple is currently still offering for over 500 euros, looks like it belongs to a different era; it is still based on the shape of the iPhone 6 launched ten years ago.

There has long been speculation that Apple is using the iPhone SE 4 as a major test run for its first in-house 5G modem. The company has been working on its own smartphone modem for many years, but has apparently had to postpone its debut several times. The iPhone 16 series still contains corresponding Qualcomm chips, and the extensive supply agreement between the companies runs until at least 2026. According to 9to5Mac, Apple's first in-house modem is also responsible for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Such a bundling of functions was previously only predicted for a much later date and remains questionable.

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New iPad Air expected for early 2025

According to Bloomberg, Apple is also preparing the production of new iPad Air models – and a new matching Magic Keyboard. The iPad Air 7 is therefore expected to primarily feature internal improvements; this iPad series was relaunched in May with M2 chips and a larger 13" version. A new, long overdue version of the iPad mini could be released in October, alongside the expected Macs with Apple's M4 chip, including the MacBook Pro, iMac and a new, more compact Mac mini.

(lbe)