Apple's 2025 Product Lineup Unveiled: A Comprehensive Upgrade from iPhone SE to Mac Pro

Apple's 2025 Product Lineup Unveiled: A Comprehensive Upgrade from iPhone SE to Mac Pro01. iPhone SE4/iPhone 16E: Balancing A18 Chip with a 60Hz DisplayThe release date remains debated

Apple's 2025 Product Lineup Unveiled: A Comprehensive Upgrade from iPhone SE to Mac Pro

On January 12th, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman spilled the beans on a slew of Apple's 2025 product releases, with iPhones, AI, and smart home technology taking center stage. Notably, Apple's entry-level product lines, such as the iPhone SE series, are slated for a complete overhaul. This article delves into the upgrades planned for Apple's "value" product line, starting with the spring release of the iPhone 16E.

01. iPhone SE4/iPhone 16E: Balancing A18 Chip with a 60Hz Display

Regardless of whether it's ultimately called the iPhone SE4 or iPhone 16E, the specifications for this entry-level iPhone are largely confirmed: an A18 chip with 8GB of RAM, a 6.06-inch 60Hz OLED display (similar in design to the iPhone 14), a 48MP single camera, and Apple's own 5G modem.

The release date remains debated. While developed alongside iOS 18.3, some media outlets predict a January launch alongside the official iOS 18.3 release. However, Gurman suggests a launch before iOS 18.4, likely before April. Pricing is anticipated at $499 (approximately RMB 3645), higher than the SE3's $429 but lower than the iPhone 14's $599. Compared to Apple's existing iPhone lineup, the new SE surpasses the iPhone 14 and 15 in certain specs, creating a somewhat awkward product positioning, thus suggesting the "iPhone 16E" moniker might be more fitting.

02. iPad 11 and iPad Air: Powered by A17 Pro and M4 Chips

Besides the iPhone SE4/16E, Apple will also update the base iPad and iPad Air in the spring. The October 2024 release of the iPad mini 7 with the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM set the stage for future iPad products. Gurman predicts the next-generation entry-level iPad 11 will upgrade to the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence. Compared to the October 2022 iPad 10 (with A14 chip and 4GB of RAM), this upgrade is substantial, though consumers may still be most interested in whether it features a fully laminated display.

As for the iPad Air, the new models (codenamed J607, J608, J637, and J638) may skip the M3 chip and jump directly to the M4 chip. Considering the M3's cost and TSMC's N3B process, this strategy is understandable, aligning with Apple's Mac product line update strategy, seemingly downplaying the M3 series.

03. High-End Line Upgrades: The Rise of the M4 Chip Family

Last year's M2 Mac mini, with its compact size and lower price point, attracted many users. In 2025, Apple's Mac line will fully upgrade to the M4 chip, phasing out M2 and M3 products. In addition to the MacBook Air's expected M4 upgrade, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro will feature the M4 Ultra chip.

The M4 Max boasts architectural improvements, increasing CPU cores from 12 (8P+4E) to 16 (12P+4E) and GPU cores from 38 to 40, supporting up to 128GB of unified memory. The M4 Ultra combines two M4 Max chips, resulting in a 32-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and up to 256GB of unified memory. Furthermore, the M4 chip introduces AV1 hardware decoding and the SME instruction set. Freed from the thermal constraints of laptops, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro will fully unleash the M4 series' performance.

04. Autumn Releases and the Smart Home Strategy: Apple Watch SE Refresh and HomePod mini Upgrade

In the autumn, the entire Apple Watch lineup will receive updates. The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 updates will mainly focus on internal features like blood pressure monitoring, while the Apple Watch SE will undergo a complete redesign. The current Apple Watch SE's design is based on the 2018 Apple Watch Series 4, and its "racing stripe" bezel looks dated in 2025. Gurman reports the next-generation Apple Watch SE will feature a new design, potentially with a colored plastic casing. Currently priced at $249/RMB 1999, Apple might consider lowering the price with the plastic casing change.

Additionally, a new HomePod mini and Apple TV will debut. The current Apple TV starts at $129 with an A15 chip and 4GB of RAM. If Apple TV is also preparing for Apple's smart home strategy, a version with an A17 Pro or A18 chip might not be far-fetched. It's worth noting that the 2022 Apple TV's HDMI port is HDMI 2.1 TMDS, only supporting 4K 60fps, not the full-fledged HDMI 2.1 FRL; an upgrade is needed in the age of widespread high refresh rate televisions.

Conclusion: Memory Upgrades and Product Strategy in the AI Era

The 2025 overhaul of Apple's entry-level products will bring significant changes. Apple's past "stinginess" with RAM has made it difficult to maintain its previous product hierarchy in the face of the AI wave. Now, both high-end and low-end products will benefit from the latest chip performance, which is undoubtedly good news for consumers.