As 2025 kicks off, Apple is ready to start the year with some exciting new launches. Here’s a sneak peek at five products we can expect to see early in the year.
M4 MacBook Air
Apple’s most popular Mac is getting a refresh, and it’s coming soon. Here’s what we can expect from the new MacBook Air in early 2025.
- M4 chip
- 16GB RAM standard
- Nano-texture display option
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Likely improved battery performance thanks to M4
- Same design with 13-inch and 15-inch sizes
Overall, it looks like a solid update for the MacBook Air. As for timing, all signs point to a March release—just like when the M3 MacBook Air dropped in early 2024.
iPhone SE 4th Generation
Apple’s next iPhone is likely the one most people should go for—the new iPhone SE 4, expected to debut in March.
The new iPhone SE will feature:
- an iPhone 14-style design, with OLED and no Home Button
- Face ID and a notch
- the A18 chip just added to the iPhone 16
- Apple Intelligence support, which is otherwise exclusive to 16 and 15 Pro models
- 8GB of RAM
- 48MP main camera, likely similar to the iPhone 16’s
- USB-C port
- and the first ever Apple-designed 5G modem
All of this comes at a great, budget-friendly price—likely under $499.
‘HomePad’ smart display
The product I’m most excited about is Apple’s upcoming ‘HomePad’ smart display. Mark Gurman gave us an in-depth look at it in a recent Bloomberg article, and it looks like it’s going to bring some fresh energy to Apple’s Home lineup. Expected features include:
- Focus is on Siri, Communication, and Home control
- Runs Safari, Music, Notes, and several other Apple apps but no App Store
- Device is touch, but will mostly be operated by voice through Apple Intelligence’s new App Intents
- New OS is a blend of watchOS and iOS StandBy mode; dynamic UI shifts based on user distance
- Size is roughly two iPhones side-by-side, with about a 6-inch screen
- Device has speakers, FaceTime camera, and battery
- Apple is working on wall attachments, plus a speaker base for desks, tables, kitchens, and nightstands
- Heavy security focus as well as video/audio intercom feature that works with other home devices
- Home Screen is customizable with the classic Apple widgets and Home controls
- Taps into video doorbells and video cameras, with support for security alerts
I’m really looking forward to seeing Apple’s renewed push into Home products come to life. Gurman mentions that the HomePad is set to arrive in March, though there’s a report suggesting it might be delayed.
iPad, 11th Generation
After a quiet 2023 for the iPad, Apple was initially expected to update its entire lineup in 2024. While we saw new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models, the base iPad was left unchanged.
In early 2025, though, the iPad will get its 11th generation update. While details are still sparse, we can expect a faster A-series chip, likely with 8GB of RAM and support for Apple Intelligence. It may also feature Apple’s new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking chip.
Overall, it looks like a typical iterative update for Apple’s most affordable iPad.
Wildcard: Apple Watch SE 3, M3 iPad Air, and New Home Products
Finally, there are a few other Apple products that could complete the company’s early 2025 lineup. While some of these might not arrive until mid-year or later, it’s very likely that at least one will be part of Apple’s early product launches.
The last Apple Watch SE came out in 2022, over two years ago now. Ahead of Apple’s September 2024 event, there were rumors that the SE 3 would be announced—but it didn’t happen.
Typically, Apple Watch SE models launch in September, but there are two reasons to believe the new SE could debut in March or April instead.
- if the device was indeed targeting September 2024 but just missed it, Apple has little reason to wait a whole extra year
- an Apple Watch SE launch could pair nicely with the iPhone SE 4’s release
As for the iPad Air, Apple just updated it in May with the M2 chip, but there are rumors of an M3 upgrade coming soon. While we might have to wait until around May, the exact timing is still unclear, and there’s not much info on the new model yet.
Two other possibilities for early 2025 are the HomePod mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K. We haven’t heard anything specific about their release dates, but Apple might aim to launch them alongside the HomePad as part of a bigger push into new Home products.
Apple’s early 2025 products: Wrap-Up
Apple’s plans could always shift, but if these five or more products do arrive early in 2025, it’ll set the company up for a strong start to the year. And that’s just the beginning, with what’s sure to be an exciting WWDC and fall product launch season ahead.
Which of Apple’s early 2025 releases are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
