Apple has had a busy 2024. From launching its era of spatial computing with Vision Pro to finally adopting AI across its platforms, the company has laid a solid foundation that could reshape the tech industry in the years to come. However, the iPhone maker still has a few tricks up its sleeve. If the rumors prove true, Apple will release several exciting products next year, and we have our eyes on a few of them.
HomePad
Perhaps the most exciting announcement for 2025 for smart home enthusiasts will be Apple's HomePod with display, better known as HomePad. The HomePad is rumored to launch late next year as a smart home hub to rival Nest and similar products. The tablet-like device will likely feature a 6-7 inch screen and pack the iPhone 16's A18, a chip more powerful than anything HomePod runs.
Although the HomePad is meant to offer a specialized interface around smart home controls, its purpose could extend beyond that. After all, the hub would support next-generation Apple Intelligence and Siri, FaceTime calling, and other features not necessarily related to smart home functions, including Music, Safari, and Notes. More importantly, this could mark the start of a new smart home chapter at Apple, as the company is also reportedly working on a security camera for 2026.
The iPhone 17 could introduce a considerably thinner model than the iPhone 16.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
iPhone 17 Air
Another interesting device that could launch late next year is the iPhone 17 Air. Apple is reportedly developing an ultra-thin smartphone that could dethrone the 6.9mm iPhone 6 by making it the thinnest ever, along with a new design.
Opting for a thickness of 5 to 6 mm will probably force Apple to make several compromises. For example, the iPhone 17 Air would have a single rear camera centered on the top rear of the phone. It might also miss the Pro variant of the A19 chip and remove the physical SIM card slot globally. In short, the iPhone Plus replacement will likely appeal to those looking for the sleekest aesthetic rather than the best possible performance and specs.
However, even if the iPhone 17 Air is not the most technologically advanced compared to the rest of the range, it could serve as a basis for future Apple products, especially foldable ones. The new design appears to be a way to test the real-world performance and durability of an ultra-thin handset as Apple continues work on its foldable iPhone, which is reportedly not expected until 2026.
iPhone SE4
Despite being a mid-range phone, the iPhone SE 4 will get a lot of love and attention in 2025. It is rumored to launch in its usual spring slot, the budget model finally seems to abandon the prehistoric chassis in favor of a more modern one. On the front, it would look like an iPhone 14, featuring an edge-to-edge notched screen that finally drops the physical home button. Other notable improvements could include Face ID support, a sharper rear camera, a USB-C port, and an A18 processor.
For years, those who opted for iPhone SEs had to sacrifice design and some nice perks. With the iPhone SE 4 supporting Apple Intelligence and finally adopting a modern body, it will no longer look like a device from the 2010s. And if Apple can keep the price below $499, it will be a real winner.
A new Studio Display could appear in 2025.
Willis Lai / Foundry
Studio display 2
Apple released its first and only Studio Display in 2022. The 27-inch LCD monitor starts at $1,599 and offers a humble 60Hz refresh rate, stunning 5K pixel resolution, up to 600 nits of brightness, a 12 MP ultra-wide webcam, multiple USB-C ports, six speakers, and three microphones.
While the current Studio Display looks great and works well with Apple's Mac lineup, its specs could use some improvement. For starters, Apple could give it a mini-LED display similar to the MacBook Pro, with a higher refresh rate, 1,600 nits of peak XDR brightness, and a nano-texture option. The design could also benefit from an update, perhaps with “Liquid Retina” rounded corners and a thinner body like the iMac.
It's not as secure as the other products on this list, but the latest rumors suggest that Apple will launch a 27-inch monitor update in the spring alongside the M4 Mac Studio and Mac Pro. It will look just as stylish next to the new Mac mini micro and the next item on our list.
M4 Ultra Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is no longer powered by an Intel chip, but it is the only Apple computer to retain its Intel-era design. While all other Macs have been slimmed down significantly since the transition to Apple's M-series processors, the Mac Pro's body, even though it no longer needs memory slots for RAM sticks, continues to be relatively bulky.
In 2025, Apple would launch an ultra-powerful Mac Pro M4, featuring up to 32 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores, and up to 512 GB of RAM. Although the rumors apparently don't refer to a new exterior look, it will be around six years since its last facelift. On the other hand, the Mac Pro is generally a niche computer, so Apple could easily get away with simply improving its performance.
Not just an iterative year
The HomePad and iPhone 17 Air could potentially spark Apple's push into two new categories: smart home and foldables. Meanwhile, the iPhone SE 4 will be the first of its kind to offer both impressive specs and a modern exterior for a reasonable price. And while the Studio Display and Mac Pro may not be as popular as other Apple products, their potential successors in 2025 will feature welcome improvements that their fans will appreciate.
Critics and tech enthusiasts often complain that current devices, especially those coming out of Cupertino, have become too iterative. Vision Pro aside, that was largely the case with the 2024 release slate. But 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Apple.
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