Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly segment on DMN that presents a concise overview of the latest Apple product speculation, complete with analysis and insights. Today, we discuss an upcoming Apple product launch next week, along with the iOS 18.4 beta, an updated Studio Display, and more. Here’s a look at this week’s Apple rumors.
Upcoming Apple Launch on February 19, Expected to Feature iPhone SE 4
Since last week, when Mark Gurman indicated that a new iPhone SE was on the horizon, anticipation for an announcement has been building.
And now, we finally have some news—well, it’s an announcement about the upcoming announcement.
Tim Cook announced today that we can expect to meet “the newest member of the [Apple] family” on Wednesday, February 19.
Thoughts
The product launch next week is almost certainly going to showcase the new iPhone SE we’ve been anticipating.
Another potential announcement could be the M4 MacBook Air, especially since reports have indicated declining stock levels for that model at Apple Stores. The silver tones in the launch video also hint at Mac associations.
Putting aside speculation, the new iPhone SE has been expected, and Gurman suggested its release could happen at any time. It definitely seems like it deserves the level of excitement that Tim Cook’s post is stirring up, making the iPhone SE 4 a safe prediction.
Anticipated Release of iOS 18.4 Beta Early Next Week
Mark Gurman recently reported that the first beta of iOS 18.4 is on the way. He anticipates it could be released sometime from mid-this week to early next week.
This upcoming iOS update is expected to feature various new capabilities centered around Apple Intelligence, particularly enhancements to Siri.
Thoughts
This week is likely ruled out for the beta launch, as releasing a beta on a Friday would be quite unusual for Apple.
However, early next week—probably on Tuesday—seems quite feasible. Monday is Presidents’ Day in the U.S., so while a release on that day is not impossible, it does seem unlikely. Moreover, Apple would want to avoid overshadowing Wednesday’s product announcement. Thus, if Gurman’s sources are reliable, we should expect the beta on Tuesday.
Apple Intelligence to Expand into China
According to a report from The Information, Apple has teamed up with Alibaba to bring artificial intelligence capabilities to its products in China.
Establishing a local tech partnership was a prerequisite outlined by the Chinese government for launching AI initiatives. With Alibaba now confirmed as that partner, Apple can proceed.
Thoughts
Apple has been highlighting Apple Intelligence as a key driver of sales for the iPhone 16. However, those sales have been negatively impacted by difficulties in China, making this partnership timely.
Fortunately, The Information‘s report suggests that Apple and Alibaba have already made substantial headway in their collaboration. This could lead to the introduction of AI features on iPhones in China in the near future.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Dynamic Island Update
There have been mixed reports about one specific feature of the iPhone 17 Pro Max: the Dynamic Island.
For some time, analyst Jeff Pu claimed there would be a significant reduction of the Dynamic Island cutout on the Pro Max model. Recently, another analyst stated there would be no alterations.
Now, a new leaker with a background of accurate forecasts has corroborated the initial claim: the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a notable reduction in the Dynamic Island size.
Thoughts
Conflicting information from different sources who have a history of reliable leaks can be challenging to navigate.
Nonetheless, I tend to believe that we will see a minimized Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple surely wants to reduce the display cutout as quickly as possible, and starting with their highest-end model makes perfect sense.
Upcoming Studio Display with MiniLED Expected Within a Year
Display analyst Ross Young announced today that a new Studio Display is in the pipeline, with a launch expected in the next year—likely late 2025 or early 2026. This updated model is expected to maintain the current 27-inch size while incorporating MiniLED technology.
Thoughts
I’ve previously discussed why I believe a new Studio Display is forthcoming. It’s reassuring to receive confirmation from a source known for credible display rumors.
With a new Mac Studio projected for mid-2025, I’m surprised the upgraded Studio Display won’t be ready by then. Yet, perhaps Apple intends to pre-announce it, even if the release might be several months later.
What are your thoughts on this week’s Apple rumors? Share your views in the comments.
