Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap Revealed: iPhone 17 Air Takes the Lead, Smart Home Hub on the Horizon

Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap Revealed: iPhone 17 Air Takes the Lead, Smart Home Hub on the HorizonTechnology journalist Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, has detailed Apple's product plans for 2025. Spanning iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and smart home devices, the roadmap hints at Apple's strategy regarding foldable devices and expansion in the Chinese market

Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap Revealed: iPhone 17 Air Takes the Lead, Smart Home Hub on the Horizon

Technology journalist Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, has detailed Apple's product plans for 2025. Spanning iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and smart home devices, the roadmap hints at Apple's strategy regarding foldable devices and expansion in the Chinese market. This roadmap not only showcases Apple's continued product innovation but also promises a year of exciting technological advancements for consumers.

iPhone 17 Air: Thin, Light, and a Testing Ground for Future Tech

In the fall of 2025, Apple is expected to launch a highly anticipated new iPhone modelthe iPhone 17 Air. Building on the success of the MacBook Air and iPad Air's thin and light designs, this phone will be Apple's thinnest smartphone yet, two millimeters thinner than existing models. This extreme thinness caters to consumer preference for portability and aesthetics, but more importantly, lays the groundwork for future foldable iPhones and iPads. Apple has been actively exploring foldable devices, and the iPhone 17 Air's ultra-thin body and display technology are crucial for validating key technologies for future foldable products.

While Gurman suggests the iPhone 17 Air might not be the best-selling iPhone, potentially lagging behind the Pro and Pro Max models, it's expected to outsell the iPhone 16 Plus and be one of the fall event's highlights. However, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo holds a slightly more cautious view. He points out that while iPhone 17 Air shipments might exceed those of the iPhone Plus, the downgraded components coupled with a higher price point and a similar user experience to existing models might not significantly boost overall iPhone sales. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly feature the A19 chip and a single rear camera, and will be the first to incorporate Apple's own Sinope modem chip. This modem is expected to debut in a new iPhone SE in the spring, with the iPhone Pro line adopting it next year.

Other iPhone Updates and the New iPhone SE

Beyond the iPhone 17 Air, Apple is slated to update its existing iPhone lineup. A notable upgrade will be to the iPhone SE, which will replace the home button with Face ID and support Apple's smart features. This shows Apple's commitment to bringing flagship features to more affordable models, further enhancing user experience.

iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook Line Upgrades

In the iPad lineup, the entry-level iPad will reportedly feature the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM to meet the minimum requirements for Apple's smart features. The iPad Air might be upgraded to the M4 chip, boosting performance and user experience. For the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE will receive a redesigned look, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to gain satellite connectivity and 5G RedCap network access, potentially along with high blood pressure monitoring capabilities, expanding its health tracking features further.

Apple plans to release 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with the M4 chip, and MacBook Pros with the M5 chip. While this year's MacBook Pro upgrades primarily focus on the chips, a larger redesign is reportedly planned for the 2026 MacBook Pro's 20th anniversary, bringing substantial design and feature upgrades.

Smart Home Hub: Apple's Strategic Push into Smart Home Technology

Apple is planning to release a new smart home hub in March, featuring a roughly 7-inch screen for managing household tasks, running apps, and making video calls. This marks Apple's official entry into the smart home market, aiming to create a more comprehensive Apple ecosystem. A corresponding home security camera and facial recognition smart doorbell are expected around 2026, further expanding Apple's smart home product portfolio.

Vision Pro and Other Wearable Device Future Plans

Gurman notes that Apple's 2025 roadmap doesn't include a new Vision Pro headset. He anticipates a second-generation Vision Pro with the M5 chip in 2026, although a launch event might be held earlier this year. Additionally, Apple is reportedly developing a lower-cost version of the Vision Pro headset, and camera-equipped devices similar to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses and AirPods, expected in 2026 or later.

Chinese Market Expansion and Financial Outlook

Beyond product updates, Apple plans to expand its retail network and boost its presence in the Chinese market. The Apple Store in Hefei Wanda Plaza will open on January 18th, with additional stores planned for Shanghai and Beijing this year. On January 30th, Apple will release its first-quarter earnings report, the first under new CFO Kevin Patrick. Wall Street projects revenue of $124 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year.

In conclusion, Apple's 2025 product roadmap demonstrates its continued innovation across various sectors. From the thin and light iPhone 17 Air to its strategic foray into the smart home market, Apple shows that it will remain at the forefront of technological advancements, delivering exciting products and experiences to consumers worldwide. Next years product updates will be a major highlight in the tech world, eagerly anticipated by consumers globally.