December 25, 2025 – Apple's 2025 was a mixed year: standout successes like the iPhone 17 and accessibility advances, but notable disappointments in AI, Vision Pro, and hardware innovation. Here's our balanced review of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good: Apple's 2025 Wins

• iPhone 17 series: Widely praised base model with ProMotion, Always-On, 48MP cameras, A19 chip – best "standard" iPhone ever.
• Accessibility: Best year yet – Magnifier for Mac, Live Translation AirPods, Personal Voice upgrades.
• iPadOS 26: Major multitasking improvements, more Mac-like experience.
• Apple TV+: Hit shows (Severance S2, The Studio), awards, cultural impact.
• Liquid Glass redesign: Fresh visual update sparking industry innovation.

The Bad: Missed Opportunities

• iPhone Air: Innovative thin design but failed to resonate – single camera, battery concerns, pricing issues.
• Hardware stagnation: Little design evolution across iPad, Watch, Mac, Vision Pro.
• Leadership & succession: Vacuum after key departures, unclear CEO plan.
• Vision Pro: Advanced but poor market response – resources questioned.
• iPad hardware: Minor updates, off year.

The Ugly: Major Setbacks

• Apple Intelligence: Delayed, underwhelming – "disappointing failure" after high promises.
• Brain drain: Top talent leaving for competitors.
• Principle compromises: Perceived bending to external pressures.
• Regulatory battles: Ongoing antitrust/DMA fights.

Looking to 2026

Despite setbacks, Apple Silicon remains a strength. 2026 could bring recovery with M5 advancements, iPhone Air 2 redesign, and AI catch-up – but leadership and innovation urgency needed.

Shop Apple Products at Gzmato