First-generation Vision Pro glasses discontinued, Apple set to become first $4 trillion company, iPhone 14 and iPhone SE discontinued in more EU countries, regular iPhone 17 to get higher refresh rate display, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
iPhone SE 4 may be called iPhone 16E
According to recent reports, Apple is preparing to launch the fourth-generation iPhone SE in March, but leaks suggest that the device may carry a different name. Fixed Focus Digital, an account with over two million followers on China's Weibo platform, published a post on December 13 indicating that the successor to the iPhone SE will be called the iPhone 16e. This information was confirmed by well-known leaker Majin Bu on the X platform on December 31, citing a private source.
However, there is still some confusion about the final form of the name, as it could be “iPhone 16e” with a capital E, “iPhone 16e” with a lowercase E, “iPhone 16” with a square E, or perhaps “iPhone 16 SE.” It is worth noting that Fixed Focus Digital’s track record of leaking Apple information is still limited, as it successfully predicted the desert titanium color for the iPhone 16 Pro, but it was wrong about the number of colors available for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.
According to the leaks, the new device will come with a design similar to the basic iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID technology, a USB-C port, a 48-megapixel rear camera, and a newer A-series processor with 8GB of RAM to support Apple's artificial intelligence, in addition to the first 5G modem designed by Apple. The price of the new device is expected to increase from the current model's price of $429.
The regular iPhone 17 will get a screen with a higher refresh rate
New reports suggest that the regular iPhone 17 will feature a higher refresh rate display, which could mean that ProMotion technology could make its way to the base model for the first time. Chinese leakster Digital Chat Station confirmed on Weibo that supply chain materials support the rumors of a higher refresh rate display for the regular iPhone 17, with Apple expected to use LTPO displays for all iPhone 17 models, the technology that enables ProMotion thanks to its high power efficiency.
ProMotion is expected to support refresh rates between 1Hz and 120Hz, enabling always-on displays for the time, widgets, and lock screen notifications, as well as a smoother browsing and video experience. Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants confirmed that both the regular iPhone 17 and the thinner iPhone 17 Air will feature ProMotion, meaning all four iPhones in 2025 will finally ditch the 60Hz displays that most rival brands have long since passed over.
Apple stops selling iPhone 14 and iPhone SE in more EU countries
Apple has removed the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (XNUMXrd generation) from its online store in most European Union countries, in response to new regulations requiring newly released smartphones with wired charging capabilities to be equipped with a USB-C port. The models have been removed from the online store in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and most other EU countries, as well as some countries participating in the European Single Market, such as Switzerland.
The regulation went into effect on December 28 and applies to any iPhone sold after that date, even if it’s an older model. While all iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models will feature USB-C ports for wired charging, the current iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE models still use Lightning ports. Apple is expected to announce a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a USB-C port in March, which would allow the device to quickly return to the European market.
Apple is poised to become the first $4 trillion company
Apple is on track to become the first company in history to surpass $4 trillion in market value, Fortune reported, as the company’s stock has surged nearly 40% in 2024. Before the market opened on December 27, the company’s market cap stood at $3.92 trillion, meaning it only needs a modest rise in its stock value to achieve this unprecedented milestone. The growth is largely attributed to optimism surrounding Apple’s AI platform and the continued strength of iPhone upgrade cycles.
In a research note published on December 26, Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said that Apple is entering a “golden age of growth” with AI initiatives serving as a central driver. Ives raised his price target on Apple’s stock to $325, citing the company’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI into its products. He argued that Apple’s current AI strategy may be undervalued by the market, adding that the development of hundreds of apps under the Apple AI platform will provide “another catalyst for growth alongside iPhone upgrades over the next 12 to 18 months.”
For his part, JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee expects Apple to see sustained growth, driven by its ability to expand its active device base, which surpassed 2023 billion units globally in 3.26. He pointed out that the company’s shift towards services and the continuous development of its product portfolio are key factors in its success, in addition to its focus on distributing capital through dividends and buybacks. It is worth noting that Apple’s closest competitors in terms of market value are Microsoft and Nvidia, valued at $3.43 trillion and $XNUMX trillion, respectively, but Apple’s advantage lies in its ability to control both hardware and software.
Tim Cook reveals Apple's promising future in health and wearables
Apple is known for creating revolutionary products that change the world of technology, and while many wonder what the company’s “next big thing” is, CEO Tim Cook seems to have answered that question time and time again: it’s health. In a recent interview with Wired, Cook confirmed that when we look far into the future and ask what Apple’s biggest contribution will be, it will be health. This vision ties in closely with the company’s wearables strategy, which currently includes the Apple Watch, AirPods, and the Vision Pro glasses.
This vision is already taking shape with the addition of new health features to AirPods Pro 2, the development of a meditation app in Vision Pro OS, and live translation features for the deaf. With more health advancements expected across all wearables, it’s easy to see Tim Cook’s point: if these devices can save lives and improve their users’ hearing and overall health, they’ll become an integral part of their daily lives.
Compatibility issues between M4 Macs and ultra-wide monitors
M4 Mac users have started complaining about compatibility issues with ultrawide displays, especially those with 5K2K (5120 x 2160) resolution. According to reports from several forums, M4 Macs are not providing the appropriate resolution options for these displays, causing text and the interface to appear blurry. The problem is not present on older Macs, whether they are powered by Intel or Apple Silicon processors.
Although most reports are related to Mac minis, some MacBook Pro users are also experiencing the same issue. Some users have been able to enable HiDPI mode using third-party tools like BetterDisplay, but that leads to other issues, such as a drop in refresh rate from 75Hz to 60Hz. Apple has yet to officially acknowledge the issue, and experts recommend that users of these displays should not purchase Mac M4s until a solution is found.
Apple Honors President Jimmy Carter
Apple honored former US President Jimmy Carter, who died last Sunday at the age of 100, by updating its homepage to include a black-and-white portrait and a tribute to his life spanning from 1924 to 2024. Tim Cook paid tribute to Carter on social media, saying, “Today we honor President Carter’s life of service and dedication to making the world a better place.” A state funeral for President Carter is scheduled for January 9 in Washington, D.C., and President Biden has declared a national day of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple announced the opening of a new store in the MixC Hefei shopping complex in Hefei, China, on January 18 at 10 a.m. local time. To celebrate the opening, Apple has launched a special wallpaper and Apple Watch face featuring its iconic logo. In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, the company will offer promotions on select products in China from January 4 to 7, and has also launched special offers in Japan that include discounts and special gifts such as an AirTag with some purchases.
◉ Apple appears to have halted production of the first-generation Vision Pro glasses, with sources citing low demand and production cuts earlier this year. A report by The Information revealed that the company has suddenly cut production of the glasses, with enough inventory to meet demand through 2025, with between 500,000 and 600,000 units produced. The weak demand is attributed to the high price of $3,499 and limited content available, which prompted Apple to put work on the second generation of the glasses on hold to focus on developing a less expensive version, with expectations of launching a gradual product update that includes limited improvements such as an upgraded processor and the addition of Apple’s intelligence feature between fall 2025 and spring 2026.
◉ Recent reports suggest that a new version of the Magic Mouse could be coming that supports voice control and artificial intelligence, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman pointing out the logic of this feature despite the lack of confirmed leaks so far. Korean leaker “yeux1222” revealed a prototype that combines touch, voice control, and gestures, but Gurman explained that Apple will focus on improving the ergonomic design and adding unspecified gestures. The new mouse is expected to be launched in 2026, with major updates including moving the charging port from the bottom of the device to a more accessible location, and perhaps in conjunction with the launch of a MacBook Pro with an OLED screen.
Sources:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9