Apple's 2025 iPhone Plans: Slim Models, In-House 5G Modems, and AI Advancements

What's Next for iPhones? Apple Seems to Have Big Plans in 2025

Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers Apple might have more than just its typical iPhone launches in store for next year. If the reports are true, 2025 could mark a few significant firsts for Apple's 16-year-old device. Apple may release its first "slim" iPhone model, put its own 5G modems inside the iPhone for the first time and we may see the first iPhone SE with Face ID. Plus, we'll likely get a much closer look at Apple's AI plans for the iPhone, since the current wave of Apple Intelligence features feels like just the beginning. There's a lot riding on Apple's plans for the iPhone in 2025. At a time when consumers are holding onto their phones for longer periods of time, it's harder than ever to entice iPhone users to upgrade. According to a CNET survey in partnership with YouGov, 44% of smartphone owners only buy a new phone when their current one needs replacing. But with rumored new models like the iPhone 17 Slim and a redesigned cheaper iPhone, Apple could have an easier time exciting potential shoppers. If it gets it right, that is. If Apple does release a significantly thinner iPhone, there's a chance that the extra-svelte design will come at a higher cost. And given the lukewarm reception Apple Intelligence has gotten so far, the pressure will be on Apple to impress consumers with new features next year. Read more: Apple Watch Settings You Should Change for a Smoother Experience While Samsung, Google and other Android phone makers offer screens that fold in half, Apple is sticking with the same traditional bar shape the iPhone has had since its inception. But the company is reportedly considering shaking up the iPhone's design in a different way: by making it significantly thinner. Reports from The Information, Bloomberg and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate Apple may release a notably slimmer iPhone in 2025 instead of an iPhone 17 Plus. The phone's sleek looks would be its main attraction; it would likely have similar specifications as the standard iPhone 17 otherwise but with a few compromises. For example, Kuo reports that this phone would have a single rear camera instead of the double camera found on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. It would also have the same processor as the base iPhone 17, according to the analyst. The iPhone 17 Slim, if well received, could be just what Apple needs to get consumers excited about its non-Pro iPhones. That's to say, perhaps a snazzy redesign will coerce consumers to upgrade because they want to, not because they need to. Over the last two years, Apple's strategy has involved trickling features down from the Pro models, such as the Dynamic Island and the Action Button, to its standard iPhones to make them feel fresh and new compared to their predecessors. Read more: These 3 iPad Pro Features Should Come to the iPhone But with the iPhone 17 Slim, Apple would be introducing an entirely new style of iPhone for the first time since 2022, back when it launched the first Plus. Still, that phone didn't feel as novel and original as the iPhone 17 Slim likely will. Instead of just changing the size of the screen, it sounds like Apple is rethinking the iPhone's design in a way that would make it feel more portable and premium than a regular iPhone, a value proposition that's not too different from that of a flip phone-style foldable phone. Flip phones, for example, stand out for their unconventional looks and more compact designs. If Apple were to release a sleeker iPhone, it would presumably check both of those boxes, too. That said, there's a chance the iPhone 17 Slim will come with some tradeoffs, particularly around pricing since it could be more expensive than the Pro Max model, according to The Information. The phone's extreme thinness could also raise durability concerns, although it's impossible to know until Apple releases the product -- if it does at all. The device is said to be 6-millimeters thin, according to analyst Jeff Pu as MacRumors reported, which would make it notably sleeker than the 7.8mm iPhone 16. Otherwise, the iPhone 17 lineup will likely come with fresh processors from Apple and screens with higher refresh rates across all four models (only the Pros have this feature currently), according to ETNews. All new iPhone models will also reportedly have a higher resolution 24-megapixel selfie camera, says analyst Jeff Pu per MacRumors. The iPhone SE is expected to get a glow up. The fourth-generation of Apple's entry-level phone, which the company is expected to release in 2025, is said to have an edge-to-edge display like Apple's other iPhones, Face ID, the Action button, a 48-megapixel camera and Apple Intelligence, according to reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg and Kuo. That would represent a huge overhaul from the current model, released back in 2022, which looks like an iPhone 8 with the same chip as the iPhone 13. Those changes alone could make the iPhone SE a compelling option for those looking to replace their current iPhone but don't need high-end specs like a smoother screen and additional camera. Android phones like the Google Pixel 8A have been leaving the iPhone SE in the dust in terms of design, screen size and camera capabilities, but it sounds like that could change with the next model. There's another reason why the iPhone SE 4 could be particularly special: It may provide a peek at Apple's first cellular modem. Apple is reportedly developing its own modem, which is the component that enables phones to connect to cellular networks, to reduce its reliance on long term partner and rival Qualcomm, according to Bloomberg. The iPhone SE 4 will be the first Apple product with the modem when it launches next spring, the report says, before making its way to more premium devices. Apple's first modem is said to be less capable than Qualcomm's; it won't, for example, support millimeter wave 5G, says Bloomberg. But the initiative would give Apple more control over its product development cycle, which could eventually result in new capabilities and better performance the same way its M-series chips have for the Mac. Apple Intelligence, the company's first major push into consumer-facing AI, officially arrived in October, providing a glimpse into Apple's vision for how AI can make our phones more useful. But the first wave of features doesn't bring radical changes to the iPhone and neither did the second phase, which arrived in December. Apple Intelligence, in its current form, primarily consists of assistive tools for tasks such as erasing objects from photos, rewriting text and getting tech help from Siri, along with the ability to create emojis and images based on a prompt. Siri also now has ChatGPT integration, and iPhone 16 owners can use the camera button to launch Visual Intelligence, which lets you learn about the world around you using the camera. But next year, Apple will start laying the groundwork for what could be a larger shift in how we use our phones -- primarily thanks to Siri. Apple's virtual helper will be able to incorporate personal context into responses, take action within apps and understand what's on your phone's screen to assist with answering questions. Read more: I'm Not Impressed With AI on Phones Yet. What It Will Take to Change My Mind Those changes could make Siri a far more capable virtual assistant and could perhaps set the stage for a broader shift towards the iPhone's software becoming more intelligent. Apple indeed has larger plans to revamp Siri with more sophisticated large language models (i.e. the same tech that fuels ChatGPT), according to Bloomberg. This new Siri would be capable of answering questions more quickly and in a more natural manner, more similar to Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT. But that overhaul isn't expected to arrive until 2026 even if Apple announces it next year, the report says. If accurate, this would mean Apple's true answer to OpenAI and Google's chatbot would come to the market much later than its competitors, putting more pressure on Apple's technology to be successful. But Apple sees this as a long-term play and would rather wait until it's perfected its own unique approach rather than rushing to catch up, which is its modus operandi. "We view it sort of like multitouch, which enabled the smartphone revolution and the modern tablet," Apple CEO Tim Cook said to Wired's Steven Levy in a recent interview when asked if he had considered charging for Apple Intelligence. Rumblings of an iPhone that bends in half have circulated for years, but don't expect to see one anytime soon. Bloomberg reports that a foldable iPad will likely come before a foldable iPhone, and both devices are likely still years away. Android phone makers have looked to foldable designs as a means to reinvigorate the smartphone market amid stalling sales and longer upgrade cycles. But even though the market for foldable phones is expected to grow by 10.5% in 2024 according to the International Data Corporation, growth is slowing as phonemakers -- particularly those in China, where foldables are particularly popular -- are shifting their focus to generative AI. Foldable phones can be beneficial for the right type of consumer, but their high prices make them hard to justify for most. Traditional phones are so ingrained in our lives that it's going to take a convincing argument to coerce shoppers into trying something new. The fact that Apple hasn't released a foldable phone yet -- and doesn't seem to be in a rush to do so -- suggests it may have the same perspective. Until Apple publicly announces its new products, nothing is certain. But if the reports turn out to be true, 2025 will have much more in store than your average iPhone launch. Given that Apple has a reputation for showing consumers why new technologies are useful rather than being first, the expectations for new products like Apple Intelligence (and perhaps eventually a foldable iPhone) are particularly high.

The iPhone in 2025: Apple May Have More Up Its Sleeve Than Usual Next Year

Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers Next year could end up being a big moment for the iPhone, potentially marking a few significant firsts for Apple's 16-year-old device. Apple may release its first "slim" iPhone model, put its own 5G modems inside the iPhone for the first time and we may see the first iPhone SE with Face ID. Plus, we'll likely get a much closer look at Apple's AI plans for the iPhone, since the current wave of Apple Intelligence features feels like just the beginning. There's a lot riding on Apple's plans for the iPhone in 2025. At a time when consumers are holding onto their phones for longer periods of time, it's harder than ever to entice iPhone users to upgrade. According to a CNET survey in partnership with YouGov, 44% of smartphone owners only buy a new phone when their current one needs replacing. But with rumored new models like the iPhone 17 Slim and a redesigned cheaper iPhone, Apple could have an easier time exciting potential shoppers. If it gets it right, that is. If Apple does release a significantly thinner iPhone, there's a chance that the extra-svelte design will come at a higher cost. And given the lukewarm reception Apple Intelligence has gotten so far, the pressure will be on Apple to impress consumers with new features next year. Read more: Apple Watch Settings You Should Change for a Smoother Experience While Samsung, Google and other Android phone makers offer screens that fold in half, Apple is sticking with the same traditional bar shape the iPhone has had since its inception. But the company is reportedly considering shaking up the iPhone's design in a different way: by making it significantly thinner. Reports from The Information, Bloomberg and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate Apple may release a notably slimmer iPhone in 2025 instead of an iPhone 17 Plus. The phone's sleek looks would be its main attraction; it would likely have similar specifications as the standard iPhone 17 otherwise but with a few compromises. For example, Kuo reports that this phone would have a single rear camera instead of the double camera found on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. It would also have the same processor as the base iPhone 17, according to the analyst. The iPhone 17 Slim, if well received, could be just what Apple needs to get consumers excited about its non-Pro iPhones. That's to say, perhaps a snazzy redesign will coerce consumers to upgrade because they want to, not because they need to. Over the last two years, Apple's strategy has involved trickling features down from the Pro models, such as the Dynamic Island and the Action Button, to its standard iPhones to make them feel fresh and new compared to their predecessors. Read more: These 3 iPad Pro Features Should Come to the iPhone But with the iPhone 17 Slim, Apple would be introducing an entirely new style of iPhone for the first time since 2022, back when it launched the first Plus. Still, that phone didn't feel as novel and original as the iPhone 17 Slim likely will. Instead of just changing the size of the screen, it sounds like Apple is rethinking the iPhone's design in a way that would make it feel more portable and premium than a regular iPhone, a value proposition that's not too different from that of a flip phone-style foldable phone. Flip phones, for example, stand out for their unconventional looks and more compact designs. If Apple were to release a sleeker iPhone, it would presumably check both of those boxes, too. That said, there's a chance the iPhone 17 Slim will come with some tradeoffs, particularly around pricing since it could be more expensive than the Pro Max model, according to The Information. The phone's extreme thinness could also raise durability concerns, although it's impossible to know until Apple releases the product -- if it does at all. The device is said to be 6-millimeters thin, according to analyst Jeff Pu as MacRumors reported, which would make it notably sleeker than the 7.8mm iPhone 16. Otherwise, the iPhone 17 lineup will likely come with fresh processors from Apple and screens with higher refresh rates across all four models (only the Pros have this feature currently), according to ETNews. All new iPhone models will also reportedly have a higher resolution 24-megapixel selfie camera, says analyst Jeff Pu per MacRumors. The iPhone SE is expected to get a glow up. The fourth-generation of Apple's entry-level phone, which the company is expected to release in 2025, is said to have an edge-to-edge display like Apple's other iPhones, Face ID, the Action button, a 48-megapixel camera and Apple Intelligence, according to reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg and Kuo. That would represent a huge overhaul from the current model, released back in 2022, which looks like an iPhone 8 with the same chip as the iPhone 13. Those changes alone could make the iPhone SE a compelling option for those looking to replace their current iPhone but don't need high-end specs like a smoother screen and additional camera. Android phones like the Google Pixel 8A have been leaving the iPhone SE in the dust in terms of design, screen size and camera capabilities, but it sounds like that could change with the next model. There's another reason why the iPhone SE 4 could be particularly special: It may provide a peek at Apple's first cellular modem. Apple is reportedly developing its own modem, which is the component that enables phones to connect to cellular networks, to reduce its reliance on long term partner and rival Qualcomm, according to Bloomberg. The iPhone SE 4 will be the first Apple product with the modem when it launches next spring, the report says, before making its way to more premium devices. Apple's first modem is said to be less capable than Qualcomm's; it won't, for example, support millimeter wave 5G, says Bloomberg. But the initiative would give Apple more control over its product development cycle, which could eventually result in new capabilities and better performance the same way its M-series chips have for the Mac. Apple Intelligence, the company's first major push into consumer-facing AI, officially arrived in October, providing a glimpse into Apple's vision for how AI can make our phones more useful. But the first wave of features doesn't bring radical changes to the iPhone and neither will the second phase, which is expected to arrive soon. Apple Intelligence, in its current form, primarily consists of assistive tools for tasks such as erasing objects from photos, rewriting text and getting tech help from Siri. But next year, Apple will start laying the groundwork for what could be a larger shift in how we use our phones -- primarily thanks to Siri. Apple's virtual helper will be able to incorporate personal context into responses, take action within apps and understand what's on your phone's screen to assist with answering questions. Read more: I'm Not Impressed With AI on Phones Yet. What It Will Take to Change My Mind Those changes could make Siri a far more capable virtual assistant and could perhaps set the stage for a broader shift towards the iPhone's software becoming more intelligent. Apple indeed has larger plans to revamp Siri with more sophisticated large language models (i.e. the same tech that fuels ChatGPT), according to Bloomberg. This new Siri would be capable of answering questions more quickly and in a more natural manner, more similar to Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT. But that overhaul isn't expected to arrive until 2026 even if Apple announces it next year, the report says. If accurate, this would mean Apple's true answer to OpenAI and Google's chatbot would come to the market much later than its competitors, putting more pressure on Apple's technology to be successful. But Apple sees this as a long-term play and would rather wait until it's perfected its own unique approach rather than rushing to catch up, which is its modus operandi. "We view it sort of like multitouch, which enabled the smartphone revolution and the modern tablet," Apple CEO Tim Cook said to Wired's Steven Levy in a recent interview when asked if he had considered charging for Apple Intelligence. Rumblings of an iPhone that bends in half have circulated for years, but don't expect to see one anytime soon. Bloomberg reports that a foldable iPad will likely come before a foldable iPhone, and both devices are likely still years away. Android phone makers have looked to foldable designs as a means to reinvigorate the smartphone market amid stalling sales and longer upgrade cycles. But even though the market for foldable phones is expected to grow by 10.5% in 2024 according to the International Data Corporation, growth is slowing as phonemakers -- particularly those in China, where foldables are particularly popular -- are shifting their focus to generative AI. Foldable phones can be beneficial for the right type of consumer, but their high prices make them hard to justify for most. Traditional phones are so ingrained in our lives that it's going to take a convincing argument to coerce shoppers into trying something new. The fact that Apple hasn't released a foldable phone yet -- and doesn't seem to be in a rush to do so -- suggests it may have the same perspective. Until Apple publicly announces its new products, nothing is certain. But if the reports turn out to be true, 2025 will have much more in store than your average iPhone launch. Given that Apple has a reputation for showing consumers why new technologies are useful rather than being first, the expectations for new products like Apple Intelligence (and perhaps eventually a foldable iPhone) are particularly high.

These are the Apple stories that were bigger than the iPhone in 2024

It's time to cast our eyes back at the year that was and see how things shook out for Apple. 2024 is fast fading behind us and thus, as is our custom, it's time to cast our eyes back at the year that was and see how things shook out for Apple. A lot has happened to the company over the past twelve months-not all of it to Apple's liking. As Apple has gotten larger and larger, it's found itself increasingly in the crosshairs of governments, not to mention its equally weighty competitors. While the company remains wildly successful from a financial standpoint, it's struggled somewhat when it comes to its vision of the future. In short, there are definitely cracks puncturing Cupertino's traditionally invincible image. Let's take a trip down memory lane and see the stories that shaped Apple's 2024. If there's one story from 2024 that is likely to have an outsized impact on Apple's existence going forward, it's the company's clashes with the European Commission. This came to a head in 2024 as Apple was forced to comply with the region's Digital Markets Act and release a substantial platform update that allows for third-party app distribution on iOS and iPadOS. And yet, as simple as that sentence seems, the reality was anything but cut and dried. Apple did its darnedest to comply with the letter of the law but still keep its traditional App Store model on top, even as the EC attempted to enforce the spirit of its rules. The result has been an uneasy stalemate: yes, third-party app stores are currently available in the European Union, but they haven't had a big impact yet. And Apple continues to throw its weight around, sometimes using its bully pulpit of notarizations for reasons that would seem to go beyond the stated intentions of platform safety and security. The story's hardly at an end, either. A preliminary ruling from the EC in June deemed that Apple was not in compliance with the DMA, with a final decision to be handed down in March of 2025. Depending on how it all shakes out, the App Store model may be on the wane. Between that and other pending legal and governmental matters elsewhere around the world -- including the U.S. where the company found itself targeted by an antitrust action -- Apple may find itself fighting battles on multiple fronts in the year to come. After more than a year of being deemed late to the AI party -- and what an awkward face-melting, variable number of fingers party it is -- Apple made a splash at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference by unveiling its own foray into the market: Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools that touches everything from writing to image generation to improvements to Siri. With this announcement, Apple seemed to be banking heavily on its reputation of delivering not the first solution to market, but the best. But even now, those Apple Intelligence features have only just started to roll out, with the arrival of the second round -- including contentious AI image generation features -- expected imminently, as of this writing. Response to the first round was mixed to underwhelmed, especially when compared to offerings from competitors that have already pushed well past where even Apple's not-yet-here features promise to be. Apple Intelligence is a multi-year endeavor, however, and next year will bring some of its most anticipated features, including a smarter Siri that's aware of users' personal context. More than anything else, that seems poised to answer the question of just how far behind Apple really is when it comes to AI features that set it apart from everyone else. Apple's clearly invested a lot of time and energy on this front, even if it started somewhat later than its rivals. The real question hovering out there is whether generative AI is a flash in the pan or a technology that really will transform the industry. The outcome of that larger issue could dictate just how relevant Apple Intelligence ends up being -- and how smart Apple looks. Much attention in the Apple-watching realm is focused on what big project the company will tackle next. This year shows just how much of a struggle Apple itself has had in answering that question. After a decade, the Apple Car project drove its way into the grave without ever getting to the product stage. The stuff of perennial rumors, the car project was Apple's attempt to find the next big thing, but it was mired in an unclear vision and high turnover in its leadership. In the end, the most positive sign was that the company had the courage to pull the plug on something that wasn't working. But with the car project gone, all eyes turned elsewhere for Apple's future. It's almost quaint to think back to the beginning of the year, when the most anticipated Apple product was the arrival of the Vision Pro. But as was largely expected, its high price tag and limited feature set outweighed its impressive technology. It was only saved from being a flop by virtue of the fact that Apple didn't really expect it to do a blockbuster business in the first place. The real proof will be in whatever changes the company makes for the product's successor: will it shed features and cost to appeal to more customers, or will Apple stick to its high expectations and damn the torpedoes. Elsewhere, Apple made the jump to its latest chip architecture, which powered an impressive and well-regarded revamp to the Mac mini, as well as nice updates to the MacBook Pro line and the iMac. And, of course, the iPhone 16 line debuted, marking the first time ever the company added a physical control for the second year running, perhaps proving that Steve Jobs and Jony Ive's stranglehold on Apple design may finally be coming to an end. As for what looms ahead for Apple in 2025, well, there's plenty on the horizon-it may just be one of the company's biggest years ever. We'll break down exactly what to expect next time.

Our 6 favorite 2024 releases all took Apple in new directions

From Apple Intelligence to Vision Pro, this year was one of stragic shifts from Cupertino. 2024 has been jam-packed for Apple. During this year, the company released new iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches, nearly updated its entire iPad line, refreshed most of its Macs, and launched a brand new device in an entirely new category. While some of these releases were naturally underwhelming, many of its newest devices offer incredible value at reasonable prices. That's not to mention the technological advancements made across the line. With the year drawing to a close and Apple done with new hardware, we're going to look back and highlight the six most notable releases over the past 12 months. Apple Vision Pro Apple's vision for the future began to materialize almost immediately. Despite revealing its Vision Pro headset during 2023's WWDC, the company started selling its first spatial computer in early February with a ton of hype and a lot of hope. The cutting-edge headset marked the beginning of a new chapter at Apple that's only just getting started. While the masses haven't adopted this $2,499 device yet, one simply can't ignore the mind-blowing technology it packs. These include over a dozen sensors and cameras that map the physical world in real-time -- with the help of the R1 and M2 chipsets. That's in addition to its high-resolution displays that maximize user immersion when viewing supported content. Expectedly, the Vision Pro also offers tight Apple ecosystem ties, allowing you to seamlessly mirror your Mac's display, enjoy lossless audio playback with the AirPods Pro 2, and more. So, while this headset isn't a best seller yet, Apple could address its shortcomings by dropping its price and weight with future iterations. Regardless of how this product's timeline unfolds, it arguably remains Cupertino's most exciting 2024 release and a solid foundation for a potential spatial era ahead. iPad Pro M4 The next notable release followed in May, when Apple launched its thinnest consumer device yet (disregarding the Polishing Cloth). The M4 iPad Pro manages to offer one of the sleekest tablet designs on the market while continuing to provide users with a desktop processor and potentially the fastest experience in this category. Along with the all-new tandem OLED panel, support for Apple Pencil Pro, and Nano texture display option, the iPad Pro has never been as light, slim, or powerful. AirPods 4 with ANC Fast forward to September: Apple brings active noise cancelation (ANC) to its entry-level AirPods for the first time as an optional add-on that costs extra. Despite costing just $179, the AirPods 4 with ANC offer multiple perks that had been exclusive to the $249 AirPods Pro 2 variant. These include a Find My-enabled charging case, support for wireless charging through Qi and the Apple Watch puck, the Adaptive Audio feature, and more. So, customers who dislike the silicone ear tips or don't want to spend a premium on a pair of true wireless earbuds can finally enjoy ANC and other Pro-level benefits through the entry-level AirPods 4. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Also in September, Apple then revealed the iPhone 16 series. While the Pro and Pro Max editions are undoubtedly the highest-end models, the regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus variants are arguably more prominent this time around. For starters, they offer 2024's most interesting highlight -- the Camera Control button -- which could've easily been a Pro exclusive. They've similarly dropped the mute switch in favor of the Action button. So, beyond the thinner bezels, 120Hz refresh rate, always-on display, and telephoto rear lens (and despite their more affordable pricing), the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are pretty Pro for most users. That's not to mention that they offer vibrant color options -- as Pro iPhone users remain limited to dull, muted ones. iOS 18 While Apple released a ton of innovative hardware this year, we can't ignore the developments made in the software department, too. In late September, the firm launched the stable version of iOS 18, which packs a wide array of highly requested and long-overdue features. Some of our favorites include a truly customizable Home Screen and Control Center, RCS support, T9 dialing, phone call recording, Math Notes, device and notification mirroring with macOS Sequoia, a standalone Passwords app, and more. But the centerpiece is Apple Intelligence, Apple's first entry into the world of AI and a marriage of hardware and software like we've never seen before. It's rolling out slowly over several months, but iPhone 16 and 15 Pro users already have access to an incredible suite of AI features, including Genmoji, native ChatGPT integration, Writing Tools, and notification summaries. Apple Intelligence turns iOS 18 from a great release into a groundbreaking one Mac mini M4 Last but certainly not least, Apple closest out 2024 with its biggest littlest Mac ever: the M4 Mac mini. Released on October 29 with an upgraded chip and all-new design, Apple was able to significantly shrink the size of its smallest Mac for the first time in 14. So, not only does the Mac mini M4 pack some of Apple's fastest consumer chipsets to date, but it now has an area of just 25 square inches. With the same starting price of $599 (or $499 for education), customers can now own an affordable Mac without sacrificing aesthetics or performance. A year of shifts Apple's most prominent theme for 2024 was making the same premium devices but at a lower price of admission. The AirPods 4 with ANC, iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, and Mac mini M4 all deliver Pro-esque performance without leaving a hole in customers' wallets. They're all products we can confidently recommend to undecided buyers, as they no longer miss out on core or enticing features -- for the most part, at least. Nevertheless, the company also continues to deliver high-end devices for those interested, such as the Pro iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Vision headset. Apple also shifted its software philosophy this year by opening up the iPhone. iOS is now the closest it has ever been to Android OS in terms of personalization, making it more alluring to those considering a platform switch. While the first batches of Apple Intelligence perks have been generally underwhelming, iOS 18 packs plenty of other features that elevate the release -- regardless of AI. With 2024 out of the way, we can now anticipate next year's releases, which are rumored to include more M4 Macs, the iPhone 17 series with an all-new Air, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag 2, fresh Apple Intelligence features, and more.