Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has announced that a new product will be unveiled on Wednesday, January 19. The most anticipated launch seems to be the iPhone SE 4, although there are several other potential announcements. Here’s what you should know.
iPhone SE 4
The iPhone SE 4 has been on the rumor mill for over two years, promising substantial improvements to Apple’s entry-level iPhone model. The redesign will bring aesthetics inspired by the iPhone 14, alongside significant upgrades in internal performance and camera capabilities.
- A completely new design that does away with the Home button in favor of a notch and Face ID
- Equipped with an A18 chip and 8GB of RAM
- Support for Apple Intelligence
- 6.1-inch OLED display
- Transition from Touch ID to Face ID
- 48MP rear camera
- 12MP front-facing camera
- USB-C charging instead of Lightning
As per Bloomberg, it’s highly probable that the upcoming announcement will revolve around the iPhone SE 4. Personally, I’m thrilled to see this device launch, and I believe it could achieve great success if Apple set the pricing correctly.
Wildcard: M4 MacBook Air
The upcoming M4 MacBook Air is set to feature several enhancements over its M3 predecessor. The standout upgrade will be the enhanced performance and efficiency brought by the M4 chip, potentially leading to improved battery longevity.
Moreover, the M4 chip will support a higher maximum RAM configuration of 32GB for the MacBook Air, in contrast to the M3 version which caps at 24GB.
Another significant update is the support for two external displays while the MacBook Air’s lid is open, a feature currently limited to closed lids on the M3 model.
The M4 MacBook Air is anticipated to launch soon, especially with low stock reported in Apple retail locations. However, it remains uncertain whether the release will occur next week or later in spring.
Wildcard: iPad updates
Apple is developing two updates for the iPad lineup. First up is the iPad 11, which will be an upgraded version of their most budget-friendly option. This model will utilize the A17 Pro chip coupled with 8GB of RAM, marking a significant performance leap from the iPad 10 with its A14 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM. These enhancements will enable support for Apple Intelligence features on this entry-level device.
Additionally, there’s a new iteration of the iPad Air in the works, primarily focusing on a basic specification update, transitioning from the M2 chip to the M3 chip.
Wildcard: ‘HomePad’ smart display
A completely new product is on the horizon for Apple this year. According to a report from DMN, Apple is developing a smart home command center featuring a square display and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has also provided extensive insight on this device. It is expected to have a 7-inch display and dimensions roughly equivalent to two iPhones placed side by side, with a pronounced edge around the screen.
The design is centered around wall mounting and will be offered in both silver and black finishes. Bloomberg has also indicated the possibility of bases equipped with additional speakers for placement in the kitchen, on a nightstand, or workspace.
Initially, Apple aimed for a March launch for this smart display, but recent reports suggest a delayed release.
New software betas
Lastly, we are eagerly awaiting the next series of software betas from Apple across its platforms. iOS 18.4 is predicted to introduce multiple new features linked to Apple Intelligence, such as personalized Siri interactions, on-screen awareness, and in-app functionality.
- Personal Context Understanding: Thanks to the on-device semantic index created by Apple Intelligence, Siri will be able to comprehend various personal data, including emails, messages, and photos. For instance, when you ask, “What was that movie that Jamie recommended?” Siri will retrieve the relevant message from your history. Additionally, if you’re completing a form and say, “Fill in my passport number,” Siri can pull that information from a saved image.
- On-screen Awareness: Siri will recognize and act on items displayed on your screen. For example, if a friend texts you about a new local coffee shop, you can ask, “How long to walk there from home?” and Siri will understand and provide an answer.
- In-App Actions: Siri will perform hundreds of new actions within first- and third-party applications. For example, while editing photos, you can say, “Make this picture brighter,” and Siri will adjust it via the Photos app. Siri can also transition seamlessly between apps, allowing you to say, “Add this to my ratatouille recipe note” right after editing a photo.
Bloomberg indicates that the initial beta for iOS 18.4 could be launched as soon as next week. In addition, forthcoming releases may include iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4.
Wrap Up
I would wager that next week will mainly focus on the new iPhone SE 4. This eagerly awaited addition to Apple’s offerings will make Apple Intelligence features accessible at a more budget-friendly price. While many DMN readers focused on high-tech gadgets might consider it a mundane announcement, it’s a vital segment for Apple.
Considering last year’s timeline, we are due for the release of the first iOS 18.4 beta. Whether it materializes next week remains uncertain.
My favorite iPhone 16 accessories:
Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.
