Apple Poised to Unveil New iPhone SE and Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone SE and Powerbeats Pro 2 tomorrow (February 11). According to a report by Bloomberg, this announcement will be relatively low-key, as Apple has yet to send out invitations for any virtual or in-person event. The news was reported by TechCrunch.
The new iPhone SE will be the fourth generation of Apple’s budget-friendly smartphone, succeeding the third-generation model released in 2022. That version, launched alongside the iPhone 13 series, was priced at $429 and featured a design similar to the iPhone 8, including a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. However, it has already been withdrawn from the market in the EU due to non-compliance with the region’s common charger directive.
The upcoming iPhone SE is expected to feature a USB-C port, aligning it with Apple’s other current devices. Its design may closely resemble that of the iPhone 14, possibly replacing Touch ID with Face ID.
Notably, this fourth-generation iPhone SE is anticipated to support “Apple Intelligence,” a technology that is also expected to be available on the iPhone 16 models and iPhone 15 Pro. Additionally, this could be Apple’s first smartphone to feature an in-house modem, reducing its reliance on third-party chipmakers like Qualcomm.
The new iPhone SE is likely to gain strong traction in international markets, particularly in China and India, which are the world’s largest and second-largest smartphone markets, respectively. Apple’s sales in China dropped by 11% in the most recent quarter, amid fierce competition from local brands such as Huawei.
Apple is also expected to unveil the Powerbeats Pro 2 alongside this announcement, marking the second generation of the wireless earbuds after six years. The new Bluetooth earbuds may be Apple’s first headphones to feature built-in heart rate tracking, expanding the company’s wearable health technology beyond the Apple Watch.
Later this year, Apple is anticipated to launch new MacBook Air and iPad Air models featuring the M4 chip. Additionally, the company may introduce a new smart home device with a display, potentially marking its first step into consumer robotics. However, these products are unlikely to be announced at the February 11 event.
