According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is planning to launch a new iPhone SE and PowerBeats Pro 2 headphones as early as February 11. The announcement is expected to be a low-key affair, with no invites issued for an in-person or virtual event. This marks a significant update to Apple's budget-friendly handset and wearable health initiative.

The new iPhone SE would be the fourth generation of Apple's more affordable smartphone, and the first to be released since 2022. The previous model, which was part of the iPhone 13 portfolio, had a $429 price tag and featured a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, similar to the iPhone 8. However, that device has already been discontinued in the EU due to its Lightning port not complying with the Common Charger Directive legislation.

As with the rest of Apple's product line, the new iPhone SE is expected to sport a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port. The handset is rumored to resemble the iPhone 14 line, which was released months after the last SE. This refresh likely marks the official end of iPhone's Touch ID home button, as the feature is being replaced by Face ID biometrics.

The fourth-gen iPhone SE is also believed to be Apple Intelligence-compatible, joining all iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro. Furthermore, it could be the first device to sport an Apple-built, in-house modem, as the company continues to reduce its dependency on third-party chip makers like Qualcomm.

The new SE is expected to see significant adoption outside the U.S., particularly in China and India, which are currently the world's first and second-largest smartphone markets, respectively. China has long been a key market for Apple, although the company has struggled in the country in recent quarters. During its last earnings report, Apple revealed that iPhone sales in China have slipped 11% year-over-year.

This decline is largely attributed to the continued growth of domestic manufacturers, including Huawei, which has rebounded following trade restrictions imposed during the first Trump administration. Additionally, Apple Intelligence, the company's answer to generative AI, is not currently available in China, which may also be contributing to the decline.

In addition to the iPhone SE, Apple is also expected to announce the PowerBeats Pro 2 headphones, which would arrive nearly six years after the first-generation product. The new Bluetooth earbuds are expected to be the first Apple-branded headphones with built-in heart rate tracking, as the company looks to expand its wearable health initiative beyond the Apple Watch.

Later this year, Apple is expected to issue M4 refreshes to the MacBook Air and iPad Air, along with a long-rumored addition to the company's smart home line. The new home hub is said to include a display and may also mark Apple's first step into consumer robotics. However, none of these products are expected to be part of the February 11 launch.

Overall, the launch of the new iPhone SE and PowerBeats Pro 2 headphones marks a significant update to Apple's product line, as the company continues to focus on wearable health and artificial intelligence. The move is also seen as an attempt to regain ground in key markets like China, where domestic manufacturers have been gaining traction.