- A new report sheds light on Apple’s 2026 plans
- There could be major releases across many of Apple’s product lines
- Flagship devices like the foldable iPhone and smart glasses might also appear
Apple is on the brink of releasing a wide range of new devices in 2026, according to a new report. These will help mark Apple’s 50th anniversary, and we could see some major upgrades coming to the company’s product lineup.
This is all according to the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. Here, we’ll break down exactly what you can expect, and when.
Early 2026
- iPhone 17e
- Entry-level iPad
- iPad Air
The early part of 2026 will see an update to Apple’s most affordable iPhone in the form of the iPhone 17e. Rumors suggest this will utilize the iPhone 17’s A19 chip, and could feature a fresh design and a Dynamic Island in place of the notch on the current iPhone 16e.
As for iPads, the entry-level model is expected to be outfitted with an A18 chip, an improvement over the A16 in the existing version. The iPad Air, meanwhile, will be updated with an M4 chip in place of the M3.
March-April 2026
- Smart speaker with display
- Wall-mounted smart screen
- AI-powered Siri
Apple’s long-awaited smart home products will see the light of day in March or April 2026, according to Gurman. Those include a smart speaker with a built-in display that should rival devices like the Amazon Echo Show. Apple also plans to release a wall-mounted smart display around this time, Gurman believes.
On the software side, the Siri voice assistant will finally get the AI-powered upgrade that Apple teased in June 2024, closing a nearly two-year gap between new features being announced and delivered. The features will allow Siri to take action within other apps, better understand your on-screen actions and personal context, and more.
June 2026
- Operating system updates
- New Apple Intelligence features
Every year, June plays host to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company previews its latest software updates and operating system developments. Next year will be no different, with iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and more all getting airtime at the show. Right now, though, it’s too early to know exactly what will be coming in these updates.
Aside from new operating systems, Apple is also likely to bring significant changes to “Apple Intelligence and the broader AI strategy” at WWDC 2026, Gurman says. Apple Intelligence has struggled to gain a foothold in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) market, and Apple will need to pull out all the stops next year to convince customers that its AI offerings are on the right track.
September 2026
- iPhone 18
- Foldable iPhone
- New Apple Watch models
- Smart glasses preview
For Apple fans, September means iPhones. In 2026, that will see the introduction of the iPhone 18 series, which will sport Apple’s in-house C2 modem. The bigger news, though, is that Apple might finally release its foldable iPhone after many years of speculation.
Elsewhere, we’ll see the Apple Watch range get a flurry of updates. Gurman didn’t state exactly which models that would entail – presumably the Apple Watch Series 12 will make an appearance, but updates to the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra are less certain given how these models aren’t usually upgraded every year.
Gurman also says that Apple is “moving full steam ahead on smart glasses” and that we shouldn’t be surprised “if that product at least gets a preview before the end of next year as well.” Keep your eyes peeled.
Finally, Gurman added: “There’s also a new iPad mini coming next year, but a refresh to the iPad Pro isn’t arriving until 2027.” The reporter didn’t explain when in 2026 the iPad mini would launch, but considering the latest model was released in October 2024, we wouldn’t expect to see it until September 2026 at the very earliest.
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