Tech
Apple’s New iPhone SE and PowerBeats Pro 2 May Be Released February 11
Apple might unveil a new iPhone SE and the updated PowerBeats Pro headphones as early as February 11, according to Bloomberg. The announcement is expected to be relatively low-key since no virtual or in-person event invitations have been sent out yet.
The potential release of a fourth-generation iPhone SE would be the first update to this budget-friendly model since 2022. At that time, the third-generation SE, launched alongside the iPhone 13 series, was priced at $429.
It featured a design similar to the iPhone 8, including a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. However, the EU discontinued that model as its Lightning charging port failed to meet the region’s Common Charger Directive.
The new iPhone SE will likely include a USB-C port, aligning with Apple’s recent move from Lightning. Reports suggest the updated SE could adopt a design close to the iPhone 14, which debuted a few months after the previous SE.
According to TechCrunch, this change would also officially phase out the Touch ID home button, making Face ID the standard security feature.
There’s speculation that the fourth-gen iPhone SE will support Apple Intelligence, which aligns with the iPhone 15 Pro and upcoming iPhone 16 models. Additionally, the device may introduce Apple’s first in-house modem, a move aimed at reducing reliance on suppliers like Qualcomm.
The updated iPhone SE could gain significant traction in markets like China and India, two of the largest smartphone markets globally. While Apple has long relied on China as a key region, recent earnings reports show an 11% year-over-year drop in iPhone sales there.
This decline stems partly from the resurgence of domestic competitors like Huawei and the absence of Apple Intelligence in the Chinese market.
Apple is also expected to reveal the PowerBeats Pro 2 alongside the new iPhone SE.
These wireless earbuds would arrive nearly six years after the original version. The updated model is rumoured to include heart rate monitoring, marking Apple’s efforts to expand its wearable health features beyond the Apple Watch.
Later in the year, Apple might roll out M4 updates for the MacBook Air and iPad Air, which will be a new addition to its smart home lineup. Rumours suggest the home hub will feature a display and could venture into consumer robotics. However, none of these products are expected to launch on February 11.
Brian Heater is the Hardware Editor at TechCrunch. His career has spanned several top tech outlets, such as Engadget, PCMag, and Laptop. His work has appeared in publications like Wired, Spin, and Entertainment Weekly. He also hosts the RiYL podcast and lives in Queens with his rabbit, Juniper.
