Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, has announced that the company will unveil a new product on Wednesday, February 19. The most probable candidate for this launch is the eagerly awaited iPhone SE 4, along with a few other potential surprises. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect.
iPhone SE 4
After more than two years of speculation, the iPhone SE 4 is finally on the horizon and promises to deliver significant enhancements to Apple’s entry-level smartphone. This revamped model will feature a fresh design that draws inspiration from the iPhone 14, along with substantial internal performance upgrades and an enhanced camera system.
- Completely redesigned exterior eliminating the Home button in favor of a notch and Face ID
- A18 chip accompanied by 8GB of RAM
- Integration of Apple Intelligence
- 6.1-inch OLED display
- Transition from Touch ID to Face ID
- 48MP camera on the rear
- 12MP front-facing camera
- Switching to USB-C from Lightning for charging
As reported by Bloomberg, the iPhone SE 4 is almost certainly set to be revealed on Wednesday. I am excited to see this device come to market and believe it could achieve great success if Apple prices it appropriately.
Wildcard: M4 MacBook Air
The upcoming M4 MacBook Air is set to bring several enhancements over its M3 predecessor. The most significant upgrade will be the improved speed and efficiency offered by the new M4 chip, which should also translate to extended battery life.
Additionally, the M4 chip will allow for an increased maximum RAM configuration of 32GB for the MacBook Air, surpassing the 24GB cap of the M3 MacBook Air.
Another notable change is that the M4 MacBook Air will be able to support two external displays even when its lid is open. In contrast, the M3 version only allows this when the lid is closed.
With supplies running low at Apple retail locations, an announcement for the M4 MacBook Air is anticipated soon, though it’s uncertain if this will occur this week or later in the spring.
Wildcard: iPad updates
Apple is reportedly working on two upgrades for its iPad lineup. First up is the iPad 11, a new iteration of its entry-level tablet. The iPad 11 promises improved performance with an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, a notable upgrade from the A14 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM in the iPad 10. These enhancements will introduce Apple Intelligence support on the cost-effective iPad.
Furthermore, Apple is also developing a refreshed version of the iPad Air, featuring a modest spec bump from the M2 chip to the M3 chip.
Wildcard: ‘HomePad’ smart display
A new device is expected to join Apple’s product family this year. According to a report from DMN last September, Apple is in the process of creating a smart home command center featuring a square display and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence capabilities.
In-depth reporting by Bloomberg indicates that this device will have a 7-inch display and dimensions roughly equivalent to two iPhones placed side by side, with a bold edge around the screen.
The design is intended for wall mounting, and it will come in silver and black finishes. Additionally, Bloomberg reports there will be bases with enhanced speakers suitable for use in kitchens, on nightstands, or desks.
Initially targeted for a March launch, updates suggest the release may be delayed beyond the original timeline.
New software betas
Finally, we are anticipating the launch of the next software betas across all Apple platforms. iOS 18.4 is expected to introduce various new Apple Intelligence features, including personalized Siri capabilities, on-screen awareness, and enhanced in-app actions.
- Personal Context Understanding: With the new on-device semantic index from Apple Intelligence, Siri will be able to comprehend emails, messages, photos, calendar entries, files, and more, providing personalized responses. For example, asking, “What was that movie Jamie suggested I watch?” will prompt Siri to retrieve the relevant message from the past week. Similarly, by saying, “Add my passport number here,” while filling a form, Siri can pull the number from a saved photograph of your passport.
- On-screen Awareness: Siri will gain the ability to recognize and act upon elements on your screen. Thus, if a friend texts recommending a new café nearby, you could simply ask, “How long will it take me to walk there from home?” and Siri will understand your request perfectly.
- In-App Actions: Siri will be capable of executing hundreds of new commands in both first- and third-party applications. When editing photos, you might say, “Make this photo warmer,” and Siri will perform the necessary adjustments within the Photos app. Furthermore, Siri will be adept at transitioning seamlessly between apps, for instance, after editing a photo and saying, “Add this to my ratatouille recipe note,” will allow Siri to move from the Photos app to fulfill the request.
Bloomberg reports that the first beta for iOS 18.4 might debut as soon as this week. Additionally, expect similar releases for iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4.
Wrap up
This week is likely to center around the eagerly awaited iPhone SE 4. This addition to Apple’s product range represents a significant opportunity to bring Apple Intelligence to a more affordable price tier. While many DMN readers focused on the latest hardware might find the announcement to be less thrilling, it’s a critical segment for Apple.
Based on last year’s timeline, we are due for the release of the first iOS 18.4 beta. Whether that occurs this week is still uncertain.
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