MEF Mobile News Weekly

Goodbye Home Button: Apple’s iPhone SE Overhaul Brings Major Upgrades

Apple is set to unveil a new iPhone SE next week, marking a significant upgrade for the budget-friendly model, Bloomberg reported.

The new version will ditch the home button, incorporate Face ID, and feature a design similar to the iPhone 14. It will also include Apple Intelligence and a faster A18 chip.

This overhaul comes as Apple seeks to revive its iPhone business, especially in emerging markets like China and India, after a sales decline during the holiday quarter.

The phone is expected to be priced around $500, aligning with competitors like Samsung and Google. It will also feature a USB-C port, allowing it to return to the EU market.

Additionally, Apple plans to release PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds with a heart rate monitor, a new MacBook Air with the M4 chip, and updated iPads this year.

Major updates for iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models are also anticipated.

AI & Trade-In Program Power Xiaomi’s Growth Prospects

Xiaomi's shares hit a new high, rising 6.2% on optimism for 2025 earnings. Analysts expect China's expanded trade-in program to boost Xiaomi’s sales, while AI advancements could lower costs for its IoT devices.

Global Smartphone Market Rebounds with 7% Growth, Apple Leads Shipments — Study

The global smartphone market saw a 7% year-on-year increase in shipments in 2024, with Apple leading the charge, shipping 225.9 million iPhones, according to Canalys.

This marked the first significant growth after two years of decline. Samsung followed closely with 222.9 million units shipped, while Xiaomi saw a 15% boost.

Apple and Samsung's success was driven by strong demand for premium models, with Apple's iPhone 16 Pro series and Samsung's best S-series sales since 2019 at the top of the table.

However, despite growth in emerging markets, analysts caution that vendors must navigate challenges like economic instability and potential tariffs in 2025.

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Eutelsat & SES Face Uncertain Future as Starlink Dominates Connectivity — FT

European satellite operators Eutelsat and SES are struggling to stay relevant in an increasingly mobile-driven world as Elon Musk’s Starlink disrupts connectivity markets, ?according to a the Financial Times analysis.

Starlink’s rapid expansion, with over 6,000 satellites, is not only dominating traditional satellite communications but also reshaping mobile ecosystems by offering seamless, global broadband coverage—challenging telecom and satellite incumbents alike.

Investors are losing faith in Europe’s legacy players — writes the FT.

Eutelsat’s risky OneWeb acquisition has underperformed, contributing to a 65% probability of default, while SES faces mounting pressure from Amazon’s upcoming Project Kuiper.

As mobile networks increasingly integrate satellite technology to extend coverage, Europe’s response has been slow.

Despite a €10.6 billion EU-backed satellite project, Italy is negotiating a €1.5 billion deal with SpaceX for military communications—further validating Starlink’s dominance in the mobile connectivity race.

T-Mobile Supercharges 5G at Superdome Ahead of Super Bowl

T-Mobile US has upgraded 5G coverage at New Orleans' Superdome for the Super Bowl, achieving peak download speeds of 1.2 Gb/s inside the stadium with added millimeter-wave technology.

The enhancements also cover surrounding areas, including hotels, an airport, and a convention center, with speeds reaching 920Mb/s.

T-Mobile is also investing $290 million in a statewide network upgrade.

Meanwhile, Verizon expanded its partnership with the NFL to provide private wireless services for coach communications across all 30 NFL stadiums.