Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone SE 4 and an entry-level iPad 11 in January, alongside the release of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. The new devices are expected to feature updated designs and USB-C compliance. The iPhone SE 4, codenamed “V59,” may have a design similar to the base iPhone 14. It is rumored to include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a newer A-series chip, 8GB of RAM, and Apple’s first in-house 5G modem.
The inclusion of an Action button, currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models, remains uncertain. Mark Gurman has indicated that Apple may also announce new MacBook Air models with the rumored M4 chip upgrade for both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions. The new iPads and iPhone SE 4 are expected in the first half of 2025, potentially as early as March or April, and will come pre-installed with iOS 18.3.
The release of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 aligns with Apple’s trend of releasing major updates in late January.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE and iPad
However, the new devices may not be announced simultaneously with the update. Historical patterns suggest a reveal between March and April, consistent with previous spring launches.
Apple has confirmed plans to release iOS 18.4 in April, which will enable Apple Intelligence for non-English languages for the first time. This provides further context for the expected launch timeline of these devices. The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to have specs similar to the iPhone 14 but with a single rear camera and the A18 chip, seen in the iPhone 16.
The iPad 11 may feature comparable enhancements with an A17 Pro chip to support Apple Intelligence. Announcements for the new devices could be made during a special event or a series of video presentations as Apple continues to innovate and respond to market and regulatory changes.
