The MacRumors Show: 2025 Year-in-Review

[MacRumors]

On this year's final episode of The MacRumors Show, we take a look back at all of Apple's major announcements and new products from 2025.

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In February, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, positioned as a replacement for the iPhone SE as a lower-cost model, starting at $599. It offers the A18 chip and a 48-megapixel camera in an iPhone 13-style design, but with matte back glass, a USB-C port, and no MagSafe. The device debuted Apple's custom C1 5G modem, replacing components from Qualcomm for the first time.

In March, Apple refreshed several iPads and Macs. The standard iPad was updated with the A16 chip, and noticeably still lacks Apple Intelligence support. The 11- and 13-inch iPad Air was refreshed with the M3 chip, and Apple released a redesigned Magic Keyboard for it. Apple also updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip and introduced a new Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chip options.

At WWDC in June, Apple previewed its major software updates for the year. The biggest announcement was the introduction of Liquid Glass, an all-new design language for all of Apple's software platforms.

iOS 26 redesigned apps such as Phone and Photos, and added Live Translation with AirPods, a host of new features for Messages, and a new Games app. iPadOS 26 introduced a new, Mac-like multitasking system with windows, while macOS 26 Tahoe revamped Spotlight with a clipboard history feature and quick commands.

In September, Apple released its annual iPhone lineup update. The iPhone 17 features a larger display with ProMotion for refresh rates up to 120Hz and a 48-megapixel Fusion ultra-wide camera.

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max tout a completely new aluminum unibody frame with a large, full-width camera plateau and vapor chamber cooling. The telephoto camera received a major upgrade to 48-megapixels, with options for 4x and 8x optical zoom.

The iPhone Air arrived as a totally new iPhone option, replacing the "Plus" model in the lineup. Sitting between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone Air has a radically thin design with a polished titanium frame, and uses Apple's custom C1X and N1 connectivity chips. The device only has one rear camera, a single speaker, and supports eSIM only.

All of the new iPhones feature an A19 or A19 Pro chip, Ceramic Shield 2, a 18-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera with a square sensor, and new color options. Apple also released updated charging and accessory products, including a new MagSafe battery designed specifically for the iPhone Air, TechWoven cases, and crossbody straps.

Apple refreshed its wearable and audio lineups in the same month. Apple Watch SE was updated with the S10 chip and an always-on display. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 gained stronger front glass and a slightly bigger battery, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 gains satellite connectivity for the first time. Cellular models of the new Apple Watches feature 5G connectivity.

Apple also released the third generation of AirPods Pro, with improved active noise cancellation, a more refined design with ear tips that include foam, and heart-rate sensing.

In October, Apple updated the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro with the M5 chip. The new Vision Pro also gained a new dual knit headband, promising improved comfort, along with better battery life, higher-refresh rate displays, more rendered pixels.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's plans to refresh the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: 2025 Year-in-Review

 

[CarAnalogy]

And since October they’ve lost a ton of staff and been in Liquid Glass damage control mode. Hope next year they do better with their operating systems. Liquid Glass really wasn’t a feature, it was a giant distraction.

 

[FatLouie]

And since October they’ve lost a ton of staff and been in Liquid Glass damage control mode. Hope next year they do better with their operating systems. Liquid Glass really wasn’t a feature, it was a giant distraction.

Absolutely agree! A handful of us have said the same thing. AI and SIRI failed so badly, especially with the suggestive advertising of AI by Apple, that I really think Apple just had to toss in a poorly designed and poorly coded interface in an attempt to distract people.

All that effort did was to reinforce the awareness that Apple has made many bad decisions over the past years. Hopefully, the incoming talent will fix this freaking mess.

 

[gate5blues]

I think that the C1 5G modem was exactly the reason for the price point not making sense on the iPhone 16e. I think Apple wanted/needed a real world field beta test without impacting their flagship device reputation.

 

[TMail]

And since October they’ve lost a ton of staff and been in Liquid Glass damage control mode. Hope next year they do better with their operating systems. Liquid Glass really wasn’t a feature, it was a giant distraction.

Can't innovate anymore my ass. Apple is only a great stock play now. Don't look for real innovation - it is not here.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Leaving 2025, my last impression of Apple is they are slowly turning into the company that I hated in the 90s and I think the D is justified. They have too many products, Liquid Glass is not great (especially on the mac with the borders on borders and the scroll bar that is covering the bottom of my music library, which is garbage quality control) and the whole Apple TV thing kind of angered me. How many articles did this site have saying there was going to be a new Apple TV only for it to not happen? Now I decided to move away from Apple (Bought an ONN device for Google TV and thinking about just dumping the mac air (M1) when I replace my windows laptop) though I still use the 2021 Apple TV because the ESPN App sucks on Google TV. Apple's stock might be doing really well, but the vibes in Cupertino seem really off.

 

[Kidseeghost]

I don’t agree with the 16e take. Its a bad phone and not decent and nobody should buy it when the competition offers more for that price point. And the 16e flopping is not because of marketing. I agree its because of price but also because its a bad phone with outdated tech. Apples brand is no longer this strong that people will buy whatever Apple releases. People now start questioning things.

 

[Kidseeghost]

I agree that most people should buy the base iPad and if they want a keyboard the Air. Nobody needs the Pro since it doesn’t do anything better that is noticeable. It doesn’t take advanced of chip either. People who buy the Pro buy it because its the fancy version. Also why is the Pro thinner than the Air while the iPhone Air and MacBook Air are thinner than the Pro versions. Apple has become inconsistent. That is why there should not be 3 iPads. There should be 2. iPad and iPad Air (with oled). The Pro name doesn’t fit the iPad because it is not a Pro machine. iPad Pro should only exist if it can run macOS.

 

[SGSfanboy]

Am I imagining that you guys used to dis the iPad Air and swoon over the iPad Pro, now you swoon over the Air and dis the Pro!
I’m not as critical of the current Apple as others. It’s become a wildly successful juggernaut under current management and pinning away for the Jobs Apple is naïve. It’s like wanting your children to not grow up. I think they’ve done a hell of a job managing the explosive growth under Cook, and still manage to keep mature platforms interesting.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

The year of 2025 Apple products are more less the same as last year or the year before. The foldable phone expected release will change the dynamic of the trend and the overall foldable phone market. Since Apple is a premium brand around the world except US, the release of the foldable will impact Apple market better. When one day Apple releases Tri Fold iPhone, it will shake significantly the trend dynamic of their product trends and foldable market as a whole. I may wait to get iFold instead of getting Samsung Tri Fold or get both 😉. Having pocketable iPhone mini with iPad mini sounds awesome but having pocketable max size phone and regular iPad is superb. 🤩
Foldable phablet is inevitable to become norms in the future. Actually, it is the future.

 

[BotchQue]

And since October they’ve lost a ton of staff ...

Quinn from the “Snazzy Labs” EweTube channel did a pretty interesting talk on the “exodus” from Apple, very well-researched and he made the case for most of it being SOP, and even strategic. Having been thru some similar shuffling before I retired 5 years ago, it made me aware of certain considerations that hadn’t been apparent to me, back in those days. Worth a watch.

 

[leifp]

Mac Studio M4 Max vs M3 Ultra

Killed upgrading this generation for me. I often overbuy because I can’t stand my tech “slowing me down” even occasionally. I’d probably be fine with a fully loaded Pro chip but it’s always within spitting distance of a Max so that’s what I get. I hesitate between a Max and Ultra chip for a future Studio purchase and 90% of my use case runs better on an M4 Max than it would on an M3 Ultra. So I saved some money for a later update. I’m waiting and hoping that the M5 generation gets an Ultra…

Or I would, if rumours of the M5Max iMac turn out to reveal a new old device. Then I’ll have a conundrum. My 2014 27” 5K iMac remains my favourite computer of all time.

iPad models

Why do I purchase the iPad Pro rather than an Air? 99% the display. A bit slimmer/lighter than the Air (ah, naming…) Should have gone for the 13” as the way I use the iPad nowadays would benefit massively.

AI

Yes, agreed. Hoping to see some OS hooks that can use my data, on device only. WWDC27 should be a watershed. To upgrading my hardware or dying a bit inside and experiment with moving to Linux. Way too complex to elaborate in text snippets.

iPhones

I hate that the Pros are larger and heavier. Otherwise they’re pretty phenomenal. While I love most of the Air compromises, I hate the price. I still won’t get one because it’s not an upgrade year for me. Were I in the market it’d be an Air or an e…

The OSes

No comment. An incredible amount of win some, lose some…

The Grade

My immediate gut reaction was a C+. iPhone, which I don’t care much about, was great! Pretty much everything else was a bit more lose than win.

Have a great end of year and see y’all next year!