According to Bloomberg, Apple may unveil a new iPhone SE smartphone and PowerBeats Pro headphones on February 11. The event is expected to be low-key as no invitations have been sent out for either an in-person or virtual gathering.
The new iPhone SE will mark the fourth generation of Apple's more budget-friendly series, the first update since 2022. The previous model, the third-generation iPhone SE, was part of the broader iPhone 13 lineup, priced at $429 with features similar to the iPhone 8, including Touch ID fingerprint recognition. However, due to its Lightning port not complying with the EU’s universal charger directive, it has been discontinued in the European Union.
The upcoming iPhone SE is rumored to feature a USB-C port, aligning with other Apple product lines. It might also adopt design elements from the iPhone 14 series, which launched months after the last SE. This update could signify the end of the Touch ID home button, replacing it with Face ID biometric technology.
Notably, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to support Apple's intelligent functions, compatible with all iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro series. It might also be the first device equipped with an Apple-designed modem, indicating reduced reliance on third-party chipmakers like Qualcomm.
The new SE is anticipated to gain significant traction outside the U.S., particularly in China and India, the world's largest and second-largest smartphone markets, respectively. Despite China being a crucial market for Apple, the company has seen declining performance there recently. According to the latest earnings report, iPhone sales in China dropped by 11% year-over-year.
This decline is partly attributed to the continued growth of domestic manufacturers such as Huawei, which has recovered somewhat following trade restrictions imposed during the Trump administration. Additionally, Apple's intelligent features, its response to generative AI, are currently unavailable in China, affecting its market standing.
Apple is also reportedly set to introduce PowerBeats Pro 2 headphones. This iteration of the Beats brand comes nearly six years after the original launch. The new Bluetooth headphones could become the first Apple-branded wearables with built-in heart rate monitoring, expanding Apple's health-focused offerings beyond the Apple Watch.
Later this year, Apple is expected to release M4 updates for the MacBook Air and iPad Air, along with a rumored new addition to its smart home lineup. The updated smart home hub is likely to include a display and may represent Apple's initial step into consumer-grade robotics. These products, however, are not expected to debut on February 11.
