Apple is preparing for a busy lineup of product releases in early 2025. Following an October event that showcased several M4-powered devices, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, there are indications that the upcoming releases may not occur in the same coordinated manner as before.

According to Bloomberg‘s tech reporter, Mark Gurman, Apple is set to unveil an array of new gadgets, including the 11th-generation iPad, iPhone SE 4, and the much-anticipated M4 MacBook Air. However, unlike the previous batch, the MacBook Air with the M4 chip is rumored to hit the market before its counterparts.

The last update for the MacBook Air was in March 2024 when Apple introduced the M3 models in both 15-inch and 13-inch variants. The lifecycle of these models varied; the 15-inch model, which followed the M2 in June 2023, had a brief run, while the 13-inch model hadn’t seen an update since June 2022. If history is anything to go by, we could see the M4 MacBook Air as early as March 2025. Internal testing codes hint at features like an ultra-wide webcam with Center Stage, potentially making it a significant upgrade from its predecessor.

Beyond the MacBook Air, the product lineup for early 2025 includes new iPads and the iPhone SE 4. The base iPad 11 might come in two variants, coded J481 and J482, though these aren’t the only iPads rumored for release. Gurman has also noted that an iPad Air with an M4 chip is on the horizon for the spring, which raises eyebrows given the iPad Air just got an M2 update in May 2024. This move could blur the lines between what differentiates the Air from the Pro, but Apple has historically not shied away from such product overlap, banking on design and feature differences to justify varying price points.

The strategy might be to position the iPad Air as a cost-effective powerhouse, perhaps banking on its thin design, ProMotion display, and Thunderbolt connectivity to keep it appealing. Yet, with whispers of an M5 iPad Pro possibly launching in the fall, Apple might be setting the stage for a new hierarchy in its tablet lineup.

Then there’s the iPhone SE 4, often the subject of speculation. Expected to mimic the design of the iPhone 14 but with just one rear camera, it’s also rumored to carry the A18 chip, which would introduce Apple Intelligence features to a more budget-conscious audience.

However, the proposed timeline isn’t without its puzzles. An anonymous X user cited by 9to5Mac suggests that the iPad 11 could launch with iPadOS 18.3, which hasn’t aligned with Apple’s current software update schedule. With iOS 18.3 already in beta and iOS 18.4 expected before WWDC, this could mean either a very late iOS 18.3 release or a significantly accelerated product launch schedule.

If this plays out, we might see the M4 MacBook Air as early as January or February, with iPadOS 18.3 and the new iPads following in quick succession. The iPhone SE 4, however, remains a wild card, potentially launching alongside the iPads or later in the spring.

Early 2025 indeed looks to be a dynamic period for Apple, with not only these products but also the much-talked-about home hub possibly joining the fray at some point. For Apple aficionados and tech watchers, the coming months promise to be filled with announcements, innovations, and perhaps a few surprises.