2026 promises to be an interesting Apple year, full of new products, software and expansion of current services. More Macs will be equipped with the M5 chip and we can possibly expect a new product: an Apple Smart Hub for your smart home.
In addition to the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone Ultra (Fold) will also make an appearance; including a new foldable design. Furthermore, the iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini may be renewed and we can expect a new MacBook Pro with OLED screen. Time to list all expectations and bundle them together in an overview.
The information below is based on rumors. Apple has neither confirmed nor denied this. It remains to be seen which products will actually be announced next year.
iPhone 17e
spring 2026*
More and more rumors suggest that the iPhone XXe is here to stay. That is why Apple will unveil the successor to the 16th in the spring of 2026. This new model is expected to have an A19 chip, the C1X modem and the N1 network chip developed by Apple. Moreover, the notch would disappear and be replaced by a Dynamic Island.
iPad and iPad Air
spring 2026*
The iPad is available in different versions. The iPad Pro is for professionals, while the iPad Air offers more for users. A good entry-level model is the iPad. According to rumors, the 12th generation iPad will be released in 2026 with a faster processor in the A series and some minor changes.
The iPad Air will retain its current design with possible new colors and the addition of the M4 chip. The iPad Pro was already equipped with the M5 chip last fall and will therefore not be renewed this spring.
Air Tag 2
spring 2026*
Although Apple has not shared any official figures, we can conclude that the AirTag is a success. The smart tracker is frequently linked to items so that you can determine its location.
The current generation of AirTag was released in 2021 and according to Analyst Ming Chi-kuo and Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, we can expect a new generation in 2025. There will probably be few design changes, but Bloomberg does report that the tracker will be equipped with a U2 chip and some improvements with regard to privacy.
M5 chip for MacBook Air
spring 2026*
According to current rumors, we can expect new Mac computers with Apple’s latest M5 chip in 2026. Apple has already equipped the iPad Pro and entry-level MacBook Pro with the powerful processor and new Macs will be added in the coming year.
The MacBook Air is also expected to make the transition to M5. This would be the first time in years that all Mac computers will be equipped with the same series of processors. Besides a new processor, no other innovations are expected.
Apple Smart Hub
first half of 2026
It has been rumored for some time that Apple wants to expand their Smart Home platform. Not only with specific software with homeOS, but also with products. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we can expect a dedicated 6-inch screen for your smart home next year.
This would be a HomePod with a large display, which can be compared to the Google Nest hub. The smart screen should become the central place for your smart home within the Apple ecosystem. The screen provides access to the Home app for operating smart devices, but also various apps.
iPhone Ultra
autumn 2026*
Apple would like to launch a brand new iPhone model next year: the iPhone Ultra, or will it be the iPhone Fold?
Apple’s first foldable iPhone will feature a thin book design that opens up to a tablet-like screen for multitasking and media. When closed, it remains a compact smartphone for everyday use. The device offers a seamless experience with no visible fold line, a stylish frame and strong hinges for durability. Rumors suggest a premium device with better cameras and bespoke software, but at a high price point that positions it as a luxury flagship.
iPhone 18 Pro (Max)
autumn 2026*
Rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro point to an updated design with a smaller Dynamic Island, possibly replaced by under-display Face ID or a punch-hole selfie camera, thinner screen bezels and retention of the 6.3-inch Pro and 6.9-inch Pro Max screen sizes. The device will have a transparent MagSafe area on the back for a cleaner look, less color difference between frame and glass, and perhaps new colors, while keeping the large camera island. The device is expected to get the powerful A20 Pro chip on 2nm process, Apple’s own C2 5G modem, a larger battery with cooling, and camera upgrades such as a variable aperture for the main lens and a stacked sensor.
As for the regular iPhone 18, it is not expected to appear until the spring of 2027, allowing Apple to extend its release spread over two years and thus be able to focus more on the Pro line in 2026.
iPad mini
autumn 2026*
Rumors indicate that the next iPad mini, possibly the iPad mini 8, will have an OLED screen in 2026 as a successor to the current 8.3-inch LCD model from 2024, with a potential slightly larger size around 8.7-8.8 inches due to thinner bezels, deeper blacks, better contrast and higher brightness, although 120Hz ProMotion is still uncertain.
Additionally, the iPad mini may include a more powerful A19 Pro chip for better performance in gaming and Apple Intelligence, plus extras like water resistance and a new speaker vibration system.
MacBook Pro with OLED
autumn 2026*
It is currently unclear whether Apple will equip the MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chip in the spring. Rumors indicate that Apple plans to launch a brand new MacBook Pro at the end of 2026.
The MacBook Pro with M6 chip and a new design with an OLED screen is probably expected at the end of 2026. This new MacBook Pro has a powerful and energy-efficient M6 chip based on a 2nm process, possibly with Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module technology for better integration of CPU, GPU and RAM. 5G support is also expected thanks to a new modem chip from Apple, making the MacBook Pro more mobile and versatile.
The design will be thinner and may have a punch-hole camera to replace the notch. The new OLED screens use tandem OLED technology similar to the iPad Pro and provide a very bright and color accurate image.
HomePod mini and Apple TV
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has plans to update both the Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini in 2026. This update is part of a larger strategy to reinvigorate the company’s smart home product offering. The initiative underlines Apple’s ambition to further strengthen its position in the smart home market.
The yet-to-be-released HomePod mini and Apple TV are said to contain the Apple-developed Bluetooth and WiFi N chip. However, by using a custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, future Apple smart home devices could work better with each other and potentially sync data faster.
Cheap entry-level model of the MacBook
Thanks to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a new rumor made the rounds. According to him, Apple is working on a colorful MacBook with an iPhone chip. This would be the new entry-level model that will be cheaper than the MacBook Air.
It is best to compare this MacBook with the entry-level model of the iPad. This is also available in cheerful colors and has good, but outdated specifications. Mass production of this new MacBook is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2025 or the first quarter of 2026.
Other expectations
- WWDC 2026 with iOS 27 and more
- Extension for current Apple services
- Studio Display 2: Likely to launch in 2026, with mini LED backlight and new processor
- iMac: Unchanged design, possible minor internal adjustments including the addition of the M5 chip.
- Mac mini: Unchanged design, possible minor internal adjustments including the addition of the M5 chip.
- MacStudio: Unchanged design, possible minor internal adjustments including the addition of the M5 Max chip.
- Apple Watch Series 12: innovations still unknown
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: innovations still unknown
Apple will undoubtedly have quite a few surprises in store for us. In the coming year we will keep a close eye on the rumors, news and announcements and we will of course keep you informed of all developments.
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Category: News, Reference works Developer: Richard Ijzermans  4+ 11MBDOWNLOAD FOR FREE |
* time indication based on rumors and subject to change