The Apple Enthusiast

2025 was a jam-packed year for Apple; from updates to Macs, iPads, new software, and the latest iPhones, this year did not disappoint.

Starting off the year strong, Apple released the iPhone 16e in February, taking the spot of the iPhone SE. It packs a 6.1-inch OLED display with Face ID, the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, and the first iPhone with Apple’s custom-designed cellular chip, the C1 modem for improved battery efficiency. On top of that, there’s now a 48MP Fusion camera and Action button while also ditching the Lightning port for USB-C. Starting at $599, Apple’s latest budget iPhone is a great recommendation for those getting their first iPhone or being cautious with their budget when buying a new phone.

In March, Apple released the new MacBook Air with the M4 Chip, refreshing both the 13-inch and 15-inch models with a new Sky Blue color option, a new 12MP Center Stage front camera, up to 18 hours of battery life, and 16GB of memory standard, all at a lower price than before at $999. And Apple updated the Mac Studio with the M4 Max chip and M3 Ultra chip, added Thunderbolt 5 for faster connectivity, and now offers up to 512GB of memory, all starting at $1,999.

On the iPad front, Apple launched the 11th-generation iPad (hard to believe it’s already 11 generations of the iPad!), boosting its performance with the A16 Bionic chip and increasing its base storage to 128GB from the previous 64GB, still being $349. The iPad Air also found some room to upgrade, gaining the powerful M3 Chip and a refreshed Magic Keyboard with a full function row for improved functionality, with the iPad Air starting at $599 and the new Magic Keyboard starting at $269.

The biggest headline of 2025 was undoubtedly the release of the iPhone lineup in September. The iPhone 17 packs outstanding value at $799, now with a Pro-Motion display with 120Hz refresh rate, and a big leap in battery life. The iPhone 17 also adds the new A19 chip, a Center Stage front camera with 48MP, and Ceramic Shield 2 for improved durability. Altogether, these upgrades make the iPhone 17 the clear sweet spot of Apple’s 2025 lineup and arguably the best iPhone for most people this year. While on the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max bring premium to another level, featuring the new A19 Pro chip for faster performance and longer battery life, a redesigned body with improved durability, and major camera upgrades, including a triple 48MP system with enhanced telephoto and pro video features. Together, these updates further separate the Pro models as Apple’s most advanced iPhones, built for users who want cutting-edge performance and creative tools. Apple also introduced the iPhone Air, prioritizing thinness and portability while still delivering strong performance for users. Featuring a lightweight chassis, the A19 chip with Apple Intelligence, and a 120Hz OLED display, the iPhone Air balances power and efficiency in a streamlined form factor. With improved battery optimization, a 48MP Fusion camera, and USB-C support, the iPhone Air offers a compelling option for users who want a modern iPhone experience in Apple’s thinnest design yet.

Every year, we know to expect greatness from Apple’s WWDC event each June, and Apple did not fail to deliver on groundbreaking advancements in its software development. The release of Liquid Glass changed everything across the entire Apple ecosystem, bringing a more reflective, translucent design language across the board, refreshing our devices’ interfaces. With even more ways to customize and optimize the usage of our Apple devices, the latest suite of software in introduced at WWDC25 pave the way for a future design language of Apple in the future.

At the same Apple event in September (Apple season!), Apple also refreshed its entire lineup of Apple Watches. While they still brought updates to each model, there weren’t as many groundbreaking updates as other devices released, so I will briefly touch on each model. The Apple Watch SE 3 adds a larger display and more durable glass, an Always-On display, fast charging, and more to still position itself as a great budget option in the smartwatch market for $249. The Apple Watch Series 11 adds 5G cellular connectivity, a more durable display, hypertension detection and monitoring, and improved 24-hour battery life at $399, being the sweet spot right in the middle of the Apple Watch lineup. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings a huge leap in battery life, up to 42 hours, as well as new built-in satellite communications for adventures off the grid, blood pressure and hypertension monitoring, faster charging, and a brighter 3000-nit display refresh the most premium and adventurous Apple Watch for the same price as previously at $799.

Also announced in September were the latest AirPods Pro 3, bring big upgrades with improved sound quality and some of the world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation, a redesigned fit with new foam-infused tips for more comfort and stability, built-in heart rate sensing and workout tracking, extended battery life, and new features like Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence for easier real-time language support. Altogether, the new AirPods Pro 3 are easily some of the most versatile and comfortable earbuds Apple has made yet.

Moving to October, Apple released the new Apple Vision Pro with the new M5 chip, bringing 50% faster AI features, an improved refresh rate up to 120Hz, and a new band called the Dual Knit band for improved comfort, maintaining the same sticker price of $3,499. The Vision Pro was not the only device receiving the M5 treatment, with the iPad Pro also getting the new chip. The iPad Pro now features the M5 chip across 11‑inch and 13‑inch models, with faster AI performance, improved cellular and Wi‑Fi speeds, and support for 120Hz external displays, making it Apple’s most powerful tablet yet thanks to these chip upgrades. The MacBook Pro also adds the M5 chip, with faster graphics, higher memory speed, and longer battery life, making it the most powerful 14‑inch MacBook yet.

Phew! Writing all of the new advancements in technology Apple gave us in 2025 made me actually realize how much was announced this year. It seems like almost every product category was touched this year, bringing customers refreshed ways to enjoy the products they love. Looking back, I think Apple’s most successful launch of this year has by far been the new iPhones (well, they always are the most successful). The iPhone 17 Pros have been so popular, especially with the Cosmic Orange being the viral sensation, being the thing that you recognize the iPhone 17 Pro. Beyond just the color, the bigger battery, improved cameras, and smoother display have made the Pro models feel noticeably better in everyday use. Combine that with the new features in iOS 26 and Liquid Glass, and everything just works more smoothly together. 2025 really showed how Apple continues to push both design and functionality forward while keeping devices easy and enjoyable to use.

Glancing forward to 2026, Apple is expected to continue its momentum with refreshed iPhones, iPads, and Macs, upgrades to AirPods Pro, and possibly new products like the iPhone Fold and Apple Glasses, promising another year full of innovation. With so many updates and new devices on the horizon, 2026 looks set to build on Apple’s 2025 successes and keep users excited for what’s next.