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Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025

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Apple's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect.

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With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight shift in Apple's approach to low-cost devices, moving beyond entry-level hardware to introduce features once reserved for premium models, such as OLED displays, Face ID, and advanced wireless technology.

Indeed, Apple's first custom modem and Bluetooth chip is coming to entry-level devices first. Similarly, the company is focusing on lower-end smart home devices such as the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and Command Center, before devoting attention to higher-end models. We're expecting a total of eight new or refreshed low-cost Apple devices this year:

  • MacBook Air (M4)
  • iPhone SE (fourth generation)
  • iPad (11th generation)
  • AirTag (second-generation)
  • Command Center
  • HomePod mini (second generation)
  • Apple TV 4K (fourth generation)
  • Apple Watch SE (third generation)

The MacBook Air will finally be upgraded to the M4 chip, delivering up to 25% faster multi-core CPU performance than the current model. It could also gain support for two external displays and a 12MP webcam with Center Stage. Launching in spring 2025, the new models will likely maintain their current starting price of $1,099. All models now start with 16GB of memory as standard.

The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, and a 48MP rear camera. It will likely be powered by the A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence and will debut Apple's first in-house 5G modem. Expected to launch in March 2025, the new iPhone SE is expected to be priced between $400 and $500, with a slight increase from the current $429 due to significant upgrades.

The 11th-generation iPad will retain the 10.9-inch display and Touch ID power button but will likely upgrade to an A17 Pro or A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to enable Apple Intelligence. Expected in spring 2025, the device may continue to start at $349, with the possibility of a base storage upgrade to 128GB.

The AirTag 2 will include an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for a threefold increase in tracking range, better Vision Pro integration, and a tamper-proof speaker for enhanced anti-stalking measures. Launching in mid-2025, it is expected to maintain the current $29 price point.

Apple's Command Center will serve as an all-new smart home hub product with a 7-inch display, built-in speakers, a camera for FaceTime, and proximity sensors for dynamic interface adjustments. It will run a new "homeOS" with widget-focused controls and Siri integration. Expected to launch around March 2025, the price is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be competitive with similar products like Amazon's Echo Show, which is priced at $90. A higher-end version of the device on a robotic arm is expected to debut in 2026, so the initial Command Center is likely to be an entry-level device akin to the HomePod mini.

The second-generation HomePod mini is expect to gain a new in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supporting Wi-Fi 6E, improved audio quality, and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for better handoff. Likely to launch in mid-2025, the device will likely retain its $99 price point.

A new Apple TV 4K is rumored to feature an updated A-series chip, likely the A16 or newer, Wi-Fi 6E support, and possibly a built-in camera for FaceTime. Expected to launch in 2025, the device could see a starting price drop to $99 from the current $129, aligning better with competitors like Amazon's Fire Stick.

The Apple Watch SE 3 will likely feature larger displays, a faster chip, the S10 or S11 chip, and may adopt a more affordable plastic casing. The current model will be three years old this fall. Expected in late 2025, the device could maintain its $249 starting price or potentially decrease slightly to compete with rival devices and appeal to parents purchasing for children.





Article Link: Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/11/apple-low-cost-devices-in-2025/
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While it’s nice to see some movement from Apple. For the Mac it’s basically just a processor swap and the much needed RAM improvement.

Same for the applewatch SE with a cheaper plastic casing. The appleTV only a processor swap.

Apple’s new internal developed modem isn’t as capable as the Qualcomm modem and also cheaper for Apple.

iPad probably only a memory upgrade and processor swap.

It all sounds like a lot, but if you look closely what’s happening it’s minimal incremental updates. Hello 2025!
 
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It says "New devices" in the headline, but I'm not seeing them. Apple has been abandoning more products than they introduce. They could make:


Camcorder
Serious Video Games, (not schoolteacher fodder.)
Input device replacing keyboard/mouse remote controls.
Internet data network.
3D graphics program for beginners. w/AI integration
Vocals for garageband. w/AI integration.
Cryptocurrency backed by Apple stock. (Or better: stocks in several participating companies.)
Replacement for .swf files.
 
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This command centre sounds really intriguing, but my Dyson fan won't work with it I don't think unless I jump through hoops. But I'd love to get it to work, I have enough Matter smart plugs to not worry about that. Then I can ditch my Echo Show with its useless ads it shows in the screen every now and again.
 
As it’s the best value and most used Apple device I’ve ever used the new Apple TV will be a day one purchase for me, especially if they up the storage and add compatibility with any controller-supporting iOS app. This would make the gaming situation a lot better without developers having to really add anything to their titles. Apple could score an easy win and get Supercell to port Hades to the Apple TV which wouldn’t be a breach of their Netflix mobile exclusivity clause. It would also bring the PS4 titles from iPhone to the Apple TV as well.
 
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So why doesn’t Apple TV get an M series chip? I suppose it doesn’t really need one as it’s already the fastest processor in any tv box. It would be nice to have though for iOS games that require it and can be played fine on a controller.
 
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SoldOnApple said:
So why doesn’t Apple TV get an M series chip? I suppose it doesn’t really need one as it’s already the fastest processor in any tv box. It would be nice to have though for iOS games that require it and can be played fine on a controller.
Click to expand...

Because the A series chips are plenty fast for what the AppleTV actually does. It is as fast as Macs were a few years ago.

The problem with the AppleTV is that everyone is already building these features into TVs, so adding this doesn't do much extra beyond adding another remote control to loose.
 
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SoldOnApple said:
So why doesn’t Apple TV get an M series chip? I suppose it doesn’t really need one as it’s already the fastest processor in any tv box. It would be nice to have though for iOS games that require it and can be played fine on a controller.
Click to expand...

Because that would probably price it so close to Mac Mini that the collective whine would be "might as well buy Mini." I think a $399-$499 AppleTV would be a flop, given the proximity to base Mini, which would also bring a "whole computer." The original with very little competition at the time had a price tag (I think I recall) up around $249 and people were full of angst at that "high" price.

Best chance at fulfilling this want- IMO- is for Apple to revive what was called the Front Row app for Mac, basically the AppleTV UI as an app that ran on Mac. This seemingly easy option would then make ANY Mac able to be an AppleTV including Mac Studio Ultra or even Mac Pro. No new hardware to build. No price challenges relative to other M-series stuff. Etc. Those wanting M-Series AppleTV to the Max, could go fully loaded Ultra if they wanted.

I actually see this as plausible because it would help scratch Apple's biggest wish too- "another record quarter"- by motivating the M-Series AppleTV crowd to pay up for at least Mini instead of spending much less for another AppleTV box. At least $500 or so > up to $150, delighting bean counters at HQ. 💰💰💰
 
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SoldOnApple said:
So why doesn’t Apple TV get an M series chip? I suppose it doesn’t really need one as it’s already the fastest processor in any tv box. It would be nice to have though for iOS games that require it and can be played fine on a controller.
Click to expand...
Because no device with an M chip is cheap, and definitely not 100 dollars cheap. It’s an expensive chip I’d imagine and they would need to redesign the Apple TV to put it in, so you could then be looking at 200 to 250 dollars.
 
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Algr said:
The problem with the AppleTV is that everyone is already building these features into TVs, so adding this doesn't do much extra beyond adding another remote control to loose.
Click to expand...

Smart TV apps tend to be a smallish subset of all apps available for an AppleTV (box)... usually the major streamers and then a little set of "other." The gaming want driving the M-series wish would NOT be fed by leaning on smart TVs as the specs for the apps that run on them are brand specific (for lines of TVs) and thus fragmented for developers. AppleTV and similar streaming boxes have unified hardware & OS specs that then display whatever one wants to watch on them on ANY TV. Code the game for AppleTV and it runs on any TV to which it is attached. Code the game for a subset of Samsung or LG TVs and it runs on that subset of TVs... then you have to tweak code to run on another subset and/or other TVs.

But again, I think the best answer for this wish is Front Row resurrection to run the AppleTV UI on Macs. Buy a Mac and dedicate it to AppleTV duties for up to a very powerful M-series AppleTV.
 
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Algr said:
Because the A series chips are plenty fast for what the AppleTV actually does. It is as fast as Macs were a few years ago.

The problem with the AppleTV is that everyone is already building these features into TVs, so adding this doesn't do much extra beyond adding another remote control to loose.
Click to expand...
I have a Samsung smart TV and I tried an Android TV: nothing compares to Apple TV anyway.
 
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Kylo83 said:
We need better premium products
Click to expand...
Their premium pro products offer the same if not less in hardware as low to midrange with competing brands. That’s not the Apple it once was. Their products used to be ahead of any competitor justifying their higher prices. Oh well, it’s the Timmy era now. The era where Apple stood still.
 
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chfilm said:
Well if they release new HomePods and the commandcenter, those better be ready for LLM Siri once that comes out.
Click to expand...
No way the'll cater for local models at that price point. It will be a cloud device. A higher-end one might (which is presumably why they're bulking it up with robotic arms etc), but expect to start paying iPad money at least for that.
 
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