Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed Thursday that his company plans to launch a new product on February 19. He didn’t say what’s on the agenda, other than using a social media post to tease “the newest member of the family.”
There are actually several Apple products that rumors indicate could launch then, including AirTag 2, a new HomePod, the iPhone SE 4, and the MacBook Air with an M4 processor. If you’re curious when does the new MacBook Pro come out, reports suggest Apple may introduce it alongside other anticipated products.
Apple CEO promises ‘newest member of the family’ launches next week
Cook’s post is deliberately vague, saying only, “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.” Bring on the speculation.
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.
Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/0ML0NfMedu
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 13, 2025
There may be a hint in the post of what’s coming next Wednesday: It includes an image that looks like an AirTag. There have been rumors for many months that a second-generation model of Apple’s tracking tag is in the works.
Or maybe the image shows a top-down view of a HomePod smart speaker. Leaks point to a HomePod with a larger built-in screen on Apple’s 2025 agenda.
If one ignores the image, another strong possibility is iPhone SE 4, which rumors indicate will launch next week. We expect a significant redesign for Apple’s budget handset, including a larger screen and other changes. And it should support Apple Intelligence, Cupertino’s new collection of AI-powered tools.
Yet a fourth possibility is a MacBook Air upgraded with the M4 processor. This chip reached the MacBook Pro series in the autumn, but the consumer-oriented Air still runs on the older M3. Rumors indicate that’ll change soon.
Other possibilities for Apple’s mystery February launch
Those are only the top contenders. Cook and Co. could be prepping a new tablet to debut on February 19. The iPad 11 has been the subject of many rumors, and Apple’s next-generation budget tablet is expected early this year. The big change should be support for Apple Intelligence, without a redesign.
Although the iPad Air got an M2 chip in spring 2024, it’ll reportedly get a speed boost quite soon. This could be to the M3 chip, or maybe even the M4.
For more on the Apple devices that should appear in the next few months, read our overview of a potential Apple winter event.
Probably not an actual Apple event, but sure whipped up interest in the new product
Tim Cook after sending his latest tweet.. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/ajOozh7Xg9
— Watcher (@ApplWatcher) February 13, 2025
Although Cook’s social media post on Thursday clearly promises a new product on February 19, this is not the way Apple announces actual company events. So while something fresh will be coming out of Cupertino on that date, it’s almost certainly going to happen via a simple press release. Like the way Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds launched earlier this week or the way the Apple TV+ for Android app debuted Wednesday.
There’s no reason to look forward to a full-scale Apple February product launch event. That said, rumors point to four or five products coming from the company in late winter or early spring 2025, so an event is possible later.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
