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Upcoming Apple Products Guide: What's Coming in 2026

Aug 02, 2026  Twila Rosenbaum 9 views
Upcoming Apple Products Guide: What's Coming in 2026

Apple's product roadmap for 2026 and beyond is packed with major updates. From a first-ever foldable iPhone to OLED MacBooks and a new smart home hub, the company is preparing a wide range of hardware releases. Based on the most current rumors, this guide organizes all upcoming Apple products by expected launch period.

September 2026

  • iPhone 18 Pro: The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a smaller Dynamic Island and a variable aperture main camera lens that works more like a DSLR. It will likely run on the A20 Pro chip built using Apple's 2nm process, and include Apple's C2 modem. Rumored colors include dark cherry and blue.
  • iPhone Fold / iPhone Ultra: Apple's first foldable iPhone is rumored for fall 2026. It may have a 5.3-inch external display that unfolds into a 7.6-inch internal display, with a book-style design similar to an open iPad mini. The device could be super thin at 4.5mm when open, and is said to feature a highly durable hinge that nearly eliminates the crease. It may use an A20 chip, dual rear cameras, and a Touch ID sensor built into the power button instead of Face ID. Price estimates suggest it could cost as much as $2,500.
  • Apple Watch Series 12: The next Apple Watch is not expected to feature major design changes. No new capabilities have been rumored yet, so it could be primarily a chip refresh.
  • iPad mini 8: The iPad mini 8 is expected to adopt an OLED display, marking a major technology upgrade. It may also feature a more water-resistant design with a vibration-based speaker system that removes external speaker holes. The device could use the same A20 chip as the iPhone 18 Pro.
  • HomePod mini 2: The updated HomePod mini is reportedly ready, but its launch depends on the new version of Siri. It will feature an updated S-series chip based on the Apple Watch Series 10, and new color options are expected. Some rumors mention Apple's N1 networking chip, though leaked code suggests otherwise.
  • Home Hub: Apple's upcoming home hub is expected to support smart home controls, music playback, video calls, weather, Siri requests, photos, notes, and calendar events. It will feature an all-display design with a 7-inch screen. Two models are anticipated: one wall-mountable and one with a speaker base resembling a HomePod mini.
  • Apple TV 4K: The next Apple TV 4K will likely include a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, plus a faster A17 Pro processor. This should enable console-quality gaming and Apple Intelligence. No major design changes are expected.
  • Apple Smart Home Camera: Apple is reportedly designing its own indoor security cameras that connect via HomeKit and interface with the planned home hub. These could arrive as soon as late 2026.

Late 2026

  • 14-inch MacBook Pro: The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to receive the M6 chip, making it one of the first machines with Apple's 2-nanometer processor technology.
  • iMac: The 24-inch iMac will likely be updated with the M6 chip as well. No design or display changes are expected, so it will continue to resemble the 2024 model.

Late 2026 to Early 2027

  • OLED MacBook Pro: A MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen display could launch in late 2026 or early 2027. The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch models are expected to use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, since M6 Pro and M6 Max chips are not planning to arrive in that timeframe. The OLED MacBook Pro is expected to have an updated design.
  • Mac Studio: A refreshed Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips is in development, but release timing remains unclear due to RAM shortages and high component costs.
  • Mac mini: Both M5 Pro and M6 Mac mini models are in development. Launch timing is uncertain, with possible release windows in 2026, early 2027, or later in 2027.

2027 Launches

  • iPhone 18: Apple is reportedly shifting to a split launch strategy. The standard iPhone 18 may not arrive in September 2026; instead, it could launch in spring 2027. The fall 2026 event would focus on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone.
  • AirPods Max: A refreshed AirPods Max is expected in 2027, with a lighter design. It could include the H2 chip or newer, bringing improved sound quality, better active noise cancellation, longer battery life, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness, and support for "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri."
  • iPad Pro: No new iPad Pro is expected in 2026. In 2027, however, it may receive a faster M6 chip and vapor chamber cooling for enhanced performance.
  • AirPods Pro: The next AirPods Pro could include at least one tiny infrared camera and a next-generation H3 chip with improved sound quality and lower latency. These cameras might support in-air gestures, especially for Vision Pro integration. The product may still be called AirPods Pro 3.
  • iPhone 18e: Slated for spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e will likely feature minor changes.
  • iPhone Air 2: A second-generation iPhone Air is reportedly delayed from fall 2026 and could arrive in spring 2027. Apple is said to be considering adding a second camera to increase appeal, and the device might be more affordable than the original.
  • iPad 12: An updated low-cost iPad is in development, reportedly featuring the newest A19 chip that debuted in the iPhone 17. No other major features or design changes are known at this time.
  • 20th Anniversary iPhone: The 2027 iPhone will reportedly have an enclosure that curves around the device edges, eliminating bezels. It may use a narrow metal band around the middle instead of a full metal frame, and the selfie camera will move under the display. This would be the first iPhone with no display cutouts at all. It is expected to launch in September 2027.
  • Tabletop Robot (J595): Apple's tabletop robot with a thin robotic arm and swivel base is expected to be a more powerful version of the home hub. It is rumored to launch sometime in 2027.
  • MacBook Air: Refreshed 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are planned for early 2027, likely with the M6 chip.
  • 14-inch MacBook Pro with M7: An updated entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M7 chip could arrive as early as 2027. It will not have an OLED display, but it is expected to share the same design overhaul as higher-end models.
  • MacBook Neo: A new version of the low-cost MacBook Neo is coming, though timing is unknown. It is expected to feature a faster A19 Pro chip, more memory, and possibly new colors.

Products With Unknown Release Dates

  • AirPods 5: Apple is developing AirPods 5 with an updated H3 chip for improved sound quality and lower latency. Two models are reportedly in the works, likely continuing the ANC and non-ANC split.
  • Apple Watch Ultra 4: Development is underway, but no feature details or launch timing are known. Apple has not refreshed the Apple Watch Ultra on a strict annual schedule.
  • AI Smart Glasses: Apple is working on smart glasses to compete with Meta's Ray-Bans. They are expected to include cameras, speakers, sensors, and AI, but no displays. The glasses would support photos, music, phone calls, and AI interactions. A 2026 introduction is possible, with a 2027 launch.

Late 2027 to Early 2028

  • Second OLED MacBook Pro: A second-generation OLED MacBook Pro is expected roughly a year after the first release. These models will likely feature M7 Pro and M7 Max chips built for artificial intelligence workloads.

2028

  • OLED MacBook Air: Apple plans to bring OLED displays to the MacBook Air, but 2028 is the earliest possible release date, and timing could slip further.
  • OLED iMac: Apple is also working on an OLED iMac, though its release date is unknown. It could arrive around the same time as the OLED MacBook Air.

2026 Product Refresh Timeline

Apple has already released several products in 2026, including:

  • January 2026 — AirTag 2
  • March 2026 — iPhone 17e
  • March 2026 — MacBook Neo
  • March 2026 — M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro
  • March 2026 — M5 MacBook Air
  • March 2026 — M4 iPad Air
  • March 2026 — Studio Display and Studio Display XDR
  • March 2026 — AirPods Max 2
  • June 2026 (Announced) — iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, visionOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27

Previous Release Timelines for Context

Apple's launch history provides a useful reference. In 2025, the company released the iPhone 16e in February, new MacBook Air and Mac Studio models in March, and then the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 in September. In 2024, Apple shipped the Vision Pro in February, updated iPad Pro and iPad Air in May, iPhone 16 models in September, and new Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac models in October. These historical patterns help set expectations for future release windows.

Looking further back, Apple's 2023 lineup included the M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro in January, the 15-inch MacBook Air in June, and the iPhone 15 series in September. The 2022 releases included the Mac Studio, iPhone 14 series, AirPods Pro 2, and Apple Watch Ultra. 2021 brought the M1 iPad Pro, AirTag, iPhone 13 series, and the redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.


Source:MacRumors News


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