When will Apple launch new versions of the iPhone SE and iPad?

Note: This article was first published on 8 January 2025.

Apple is widely expected to launch a new iPhone SE and basic iPad in the first quarter of this year.

According to reports earlier today citing a private account on X with a track record of leaking accurate iOS-related information, there’s a chance that Apple will launch these devices alongside iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3.

Going by the past releases of iOS and iPadOS, this means they could be announced as early as late January.

An early launch makes sense as Apple recently stopped selling the iPhone SE in the EU due to the region’s USB-C regulation. The new iPhone SE will almost definitely come with a USB-C port, which means an early launch will help Apple start selling its cheapest iPhone in the EU earlier.

That said, noted Apple analyst Mark Gurman pooh-poohed the idea of a launch alongside iOS 18.3. Instead, he believes the new iPhone SE and iPad will launch later, saying “by April” is the most likely timeline.

Gurman said earlier that updated versions of the MacBook Air will launch before the new iPhone SE and iPad. He thinks these MacBook Airs will launch between January and March.

This timeline seems more plausible since the MacBook Air is likely just a spec-bump update. This will give Apple the chance to heavily market the new iPhone SE, which will reportedly sport an all-new design and will support Apple Intelligence.

It will also give Apple the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the new basic iPad. The basic iPad was last updated in late 2022, and although it was given a thorough makeover, it's powered by an older chip that won't support Apple Intelligence. Apple will likely give it a spec-bump update so that it too will run Apple Intelligence. This means an A17 Pro chip at the minimum.

Source: MacRumors

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