Apple’s Bold Plans for iPhone in 2025: Slim Models, AI, and More | Image Source: www.cnet.com
Cupertino, California, December 15, 2024 – Apple seems ready to redefine its iPhone alignment in 2025, with important innovations on the horizon, according to CNET. It is said that the technology giant is working on its first ultrafine iPhone model, an iPhone SE renovated with Face ID and significant advances in artificial intelligence (AI). These developments mark a strategic movement to boost the 16-year-old device as consumers increasingly cling to their phones.
According to CNET’s findings, Apple’s new initiatives are driven by changing consumer habits. A survey conducted by CNET in collaboration with YouGov revealed that 44% of smartphone users only purchase new devices if necessary. With Samsung’s growing competition and Google’s folding designs, Apple’s innovative leadership could provide a convincing alternative to attract buyers. However, the success of these efforts depends on the company’s ability to balance novelty, prices and functionality.
IPhone 17 Slim: a new philosophy of design
The iPhone 17 Slim is one of Apple’s most ambitious products in years. The information reports and the famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that this model will have an elegant design, highlighting its portability and premium appeal. This alternative to folding devices could meet the requirements of visual and functional telephone users.
The device should only be 6 mm thin, making it significantly slower than iPhone 16, which measures 7.8 mm. Despite its elegant profile, the iPhone 17 Slim will likely be delivered with changes, such as a single rear camera instead of the dual configuration found in other models. Moreover, its price could even exceed the Pro Max variant, making affordability a key concern. According to MacRumors, this model could serve as an entry point for the new design territory, maintaining the standard iPhone specifications, including processor and screen functions.
Unlike folding phones with larger and more adaptable screens, Apple’s fine design can focus on improving portability while preserving the traditional bar shape. With this version, Apple seems to take a deliberate step away from the folding trend accepted by competitors like Samsung and Google. This calculated movement is aligned with Apple’s ethics of prioritizing consumer utility throughout early adoption of unproven technology.
An iPhone SE redesigned with Apple’s first modem
The iPhone SE was also prepared for a major review in 2025, according to MacRumors and Bloomberg. The fourth generation SE would adopt an onboard display, Face ID, and an enhanced 48 megapixel camera, aligning its design more closely with flagship models such as iPhone 14. This could make the SE a stronger competitor in the mid-range market, offering a more accessible option for consumers looking for modern features without high-priced labeling.
Perhaps more specifically, the next iPhone SE will launch Apple’s internal cell modem, indicating a strategic change in dependency in Qualcomm. Although the modem may lack some advanced features such as the 5G millimetre wave support, Bloomberg points out that it represents a crucial step towards greater autonomy in hardware development. This movement reflects the success of Apple’s M series chips in transforming Mac performance and could eventually allow greater connectivity and efficiency across the iPhone line.
The renewed SE will likely attract budget-conscious consumers who want state-of-the-art features but do not require high-end specifications, such as advanced upgrade rates or multiple cameras. By overcoming the gap between high-end and entry devices, Apple could gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded market.
AI Integration: Apple Intelligence and Siri Evolution
Apple’s focus on artificial intelligence is also gaining traction, with Apple Intelligence updates hoping to further improve the iPhone experience. Initially launched in 2024, the AI platform featured features such as photo editing, text rewriting and visual intelligence, which uses the camera to provide contextual information. According to CNET, the next updates could allow Siri to offer more personalized responses, execute actions in application and better understand the content on the screen.
Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing a more sophisticated IA model to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Although this advanced version of Siri is not expected until 2026, it reflects Apple’s long-term strategy to provide robust, user-centred solutions. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently compared Apple Intelligence’s potential impact with the transformative effect of multi-touch technology on smartphones, highlighting the company’s commitment to reflecting innovation.
Current offers, although useful, received mixed feedback from users. As Apple refines these features, it faces mounting pressure to distinguish its AI capabilities from its competitors. By becoming the cornerstone of technological development, Apple Intelligence’s success could significantly influence consumers’ perception of iPhone value.
The case against folding iPhones
Despite growing interest in folding phones, Apple seems doubtful to enter this niche market. According to Bloomberg, the company is more likely to release a folding iPad before entering a folding iPhone. This cautious approach reflects scepticism about the massive attractiveness and sustainability of folding designs, which have not yet reached the main adoption despite their adherence to markets such as China.
Analysts predict that folding phones will grow modestly by 10.5% in 2024, but Apple seems to intend to differentiate their product alignment by other means, such as iPhone 17 Slim and enhanced AI capabilities. By focusing on practice and refinement rather than trends, Apple continues to give priority to its reputation for delivering reliable, high-quality devices.
The decision to give up folding iPhones, at least for now, is consistent with Apple’s strategy to let competitors try new concepts before entering the market with a polished alternative. Although this may delay Apple’s entry into the folding segment, it ensures that the company’s offers meet the high standards that its customers expect.
In the run-up to 2025, plans announced by Apple suggest a crucial year for the iPhone. Whether it is thanks to innovative designs such as the iPhone 17 Slim, it improves accessibility with the new SE, or the evolution of AI, the company aims to move forward in an increasingly competitive market. For Apple fans and industry observers, the next chapter in iPhone’s history promises to be that of innovation and transformation.
