Apple’s Next iPhone Could Be The Best iPhone Yet

Forbes - Feb 2nd, 2025
Open on Forbes

Apple is set to launch the iPhone SE, aiming to make it one of the best smartphones of 2025. A significant feature is Apple's inclusion of artificial intelligence, which is expected to enhance both iOS and Android systems in the coming years. Despite being late to the generative AI scene, Apple is leveraging its Neural Engine in the Axx chipsets for on-device data processing, which could appeal to privacy-conscious consumers. The iPhone SE will come with flagship-level specifications, including the A18 chipset and increased memory, making it competitive with the current iPhone lineup.

The iPhone SE's price point will be crucial to its success. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg suggests a price of $499 for the entry-level model, reflecting a 16% increase from the previous version. This price hike could be challenging in emerging markets such as the BRIC countries, though it may be absorbed in North America and Europe. While not the perfect smartphone, the iPhone SE's balance of features and cost may attract a broad consumer base, potentially making it a successful mid-range option for Apple.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of the anticipated iPhone SE, focusing on its AI capabilities and competitive pricing. It effectively captures reader interest with its clear and concise language, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the article's accuracy and source quality are limited by a lack of diverse and authoritative sources, particularly for technical claims. Additionally, the narrative lacks balance, as it predominantly highlights the product's strengths without equally considering potential drawbacks or industry challenges. Greater transparency about the basis for its claims and a more balanced perspective would enhance the article's credibility and depth. Overall, while the article is informative and relevant, it could benefit from more rigorous sourcing and a broader exploration of perspectives to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article makes several claims about the upcoming iPhone SE and Apple's integration of artificial intelligence. For instance, it states that Apple is implementing generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which is a broad claim and lacks specific evidence or sources to support it. The mention of the A18 chipset being used in the iPhone 16 models also requires confirmation from official sources, as this is a significant technical specification claim. Additionally, the article suggests a price point of $499 for the new iPhone SE, which is speculative and needs validation from an official announcement or a credible leak. While some of the general trends mentioned, such as the importance of AI in smartphones, are accurate, the specific details about Apple's strategies and product specifications are not substantiated with verifiable sources.

5
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the potential strengths of the iPhone SE, particularly its AI capabilities and competitive pricing. However, it lacks a balanced perspective by not sufficiently exploring potential drawbacks or challenges Apple might face with this product. While it briefly mentions design compromises, it does not delve into specific criticisms or alternative viewpoints, such as potential consumer dissatisfaction with the price increase or the limitations of the SE compared to other models. This creates an imbalance, as the narrative leans more towards promoting the product without equally weighing potential negatives or industry competition.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to readers with a basic understanding of smartphone technology. It logically progresses from discussing AI capabilities to specifications and pricing, maintaining a coherent narrative. However, some technical terms, such as 'A18 chipset' and 'Neural Engine,' might require further explanation for readers unfamiliar with these concepts. Despite this, the article effectively communicates its main points without excessive jargon, ensuring that the information is understandable to a broad audience.

4
Source quality

The article references Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a reputable source, for insights on potential pricing, which lends some credibility to the pricing discussion. However, it lacks a broader range of sources, especially for technical claims about AI integration and chipset specifications. The absence of direct quotes from Apple or other industry experts weakens the reliability of the information presented. The reliance on a single source for a key aspect of the article suggests a need for more diverse and authoritative sources to enhance the article's overall credibility.

4
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the basis for its claims, particularly regarding Apple's AI strategy and the iPhone SE's specifications. It lacks transparency about the methodology used to gather information, such as whether the insights are based on leaks, interviews, or official statements. Furthermore, there is no indication of potential conflicts of interest or the author's affiliation, which could affect the impartiality of the reporting. Greater transparency in disclosing how the information was obtained and the potential biases involved would improve the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.phonearena.com/iphone-se-4-release-date-price-features-news
  2. https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-iphone-se-4-price-leaked-all-you-need-to-know-about-apples-2025-budget-iphonenbsp-3704631/
  3. https://www.tomsguide.com/news/iphone-se-4
  4. https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-se-4-price-just-leaked-from-carrier-and-its-good-news
  5. https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_se_(2025)-13395.php