Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly segment here at DMN that provides a succinct summary of the latest Apple product speculations, along with analysis and insights. In this edition: an upcoming Apple product launch next week, the iOS 18.4 beta, a new Studio Display, and additional updates. Here are the latest Apple rumors of the week.
Anticipated Apple Launch on February 19, Likely Featuring the iPhone SE 4
Following Mark Gurman’s recent comments regarding the imminent launch of the new iPhone SE, expectations for an announcement have grown substantially.
Today, we received confirmation of an upcoming announcement, if not the product itself.
Tim Cook revealed that we will be introduced to “the newest addition to the [Apple] family” on Wednesday, February 19.
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This product launch is very likely to be the new iPhone SE we’ve all been anticipating.
Alternatively, there’s the chance of the M4 MacBook Air debuting, particularly considering the dwindling stock of that device at Apple Retailers. The silver tones in the announcement visuals also hint at a Mac release.
By analyzing the cues from the announcement, the new iPhone SE has been forecasted for launch, with Gurman suggesting its arrival was imminent. Clearly, the excitement surrounding Tim Cook’s announcement suggests that the iPhone SE 4 is a strong possibility.
Upcoming iOS 18.4 Beta Anticipated Early Next Week
Mark Gurman has recently indicated that the first beta for iOS 18.4 is also on the horizon. He anticipates a release at any point from mid-this week to early next week.
This update is predicted to unveil a range of robust new Apple Intelligence features, with an emphasis on enhancements related to Siri.
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This week seems to be off the table for a beta release, as introducing a beta on a Friday would be rather unusual for Apple.
However, next week appears highly plausible—most likely on Tuesday. Given that Monday is President’s Day in the US, while a beta release on that day isn’t impossible, it seems less likely. I doubt Apple would want to distract from Wednesday’s product announcement. Thus, if Gurman’s intel holds true, we should expect a Tuesday beta release.
Apple Intelligence Launching in China
The Information has reported that Apple is collaborating with Alibaba to integrate AI functionalities into its devices for the Chinese market.
As mandated by the Chinese government, securing a local tech partner was essential for the AI launch, which Alibaba has now confirmed.
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Apple has been promoting its Apple Intelligence feature as a vital factor for iPhone 16 sales, which have taken a hit due to lackluster performance in China. Therefore, forming a partnership with a Chinese tech firm was a necessary move that Apple was eager to finalize.
Fortunately, The Information’s report suggests that significant strides have already been made in the Apple and Alibaba partnership. This likely paves the way for AI functionalities to be introduced to iPhones in China very soon.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Potential Edge
There has been some interesting back and forth regarding one particular feature of the iPhone 17 Pro Max: the Dynamic Island.
Initially, analyst Jeff Pu asserted that there would be a significant reduction in the Dynamic Island cutout for the Pro Max version exclusively. However, more recent forecasts have contradicted this claim.
Now, a new leak from a reputable source has revived the first prediction, suggesting that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will indeed feature a reduced Dynamic Island.
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Inconsistencies in reporting from reliable sources can be challenging to navigate.
However, my inclination is to agree that we will see a smaller Dynamic Island in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple is likely eager to minimize display cutouts, and targeting their high-end model for such changes seems logical.
Upcoming Studio Display Featuring MiniLED Expected in About a Year
Display analyst Ross Young reported today that a new Studio Display is anticipated within approximately a year—either in late 2025 or early 2026. This model is expected to maintain the current 27-inch size while incorporating MiniLED technology.
Personal Insights
I’ve previously discussed my belief that a new Studio Display is on the near horizon. It’s reassuring to see verification from a trustworthy source specializing in display rumors.
Given that a new Mac Studio is expected to launch mid-2025, it’s somewhat surprising that the updated Studio Display won’t be available by then. However, Apple may opt to announce it in advance, even if it ships several months later.
What are your thoughts on this week’s Apple rumors? Share your insights in the comments.
