Question: how many new Apple devices can one company reasonably ship in a year? If the rumor mill is right, the answer for 2026 looks like “a lot.” Between incremental updates, category debuts and one major Mac redesign, Apple appears to be orchestrating one of its busiest hardware years in memory.
A crowded spring — familiar products, new roles
The first half of 2026 is shaping up as a steady refresh cycle mixed with a couple of genuinely new entries. Expect iterative updates to the iPhone, iPad and Watch families, but also the arrival of products Apple has teased for years: a small, display‑focused smart home hub and a paired security camera.
The hub is notable because it’s tied to Apple’s push for a more personalized Siri — a version of the assistant that’s reportedly more context‑aware and locally powered. That effort dovetails with reports Apple is leaning on an outside model architecture for next‑gen Siri, which helps explain the delay and the hub’s heavy emphasis on on‑device compute and privacy. For readers tracking smart home changes, Apple’s scheduled Home app transitions in February read like housekeeping before a new device rollout — an infrastructure sweep to ensure compatibility with forthcoming accessories. See our coverage of the hub roadmap for more context about how Apple is preparing the platform: Apple HomePad smart home hub launches spring 2026.
What to expect, according to multiple leaks: a 6–7‑inch square display running an A18-class chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime support, flexible mounting options and a companion HomeKit security camera. The hub feels built to be both a control surface and a showcase for the company’s privacy pitch: local AI, encrypted video, and deep integration with HomeKit.
Two halves of the year for iPhone and foldables
Apple’s usual September cadence still matters, but 2026 looks bifurcated for phones. Early in the year we’ll likely see spec bumps: an iPhone 17e variant with an A19 chip and MagSafe returning to lower‑cost lines. Later, the iPhone 18 Pro family is rumored to bring meaningful camera and silicon upgrades — narrower Dynamic Island, a variable aperture camera, and possibly Apple’s own 5G modem in higher‑end models.
And then there’s the foldable. Multiple reports point to a book‑style device with a 7.7‑inch inner display and a 5.3‑inch outer screen. Samsung is said to be supplying panels that minimize the crease and Apple may adopt Touch ID in the power button rather than Face ID. If true, Apple would be entering a market where design and software polish matter as much as hardware specs — and where Apple’s ecosystem advantages could justify a premium price.
Macs: a twitch and then a leap
Apple appears to be running two Mac roadmaps in parallel. In the near term (first half), expect familiar refreshes: MacBook Pro models updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon, refreshed MacBook Airs with M5, and an updated Mac Studio that likely moves the Ultra line forward. A second‑generation Studio Display with mini‑LED, ProMotion and an A‑series controller is also rumored.
But later in 2026 Apple is reportedly planning a more dramatic overhaul of the MacBook Pro line: OLED panels, touch capabilities, a thinner chassis, built‑in cellular via an Apple modem, and the jump to M6 silicon in some configurations. It’s a classic Apple playbook — short‑term incremental improvements to keep the product line current while saving the big changes for a single, attention‑grabbing refresh near year‑end.
Alongside the Pro refresh Apple seems committed to broadening the Mac ladder: a lower‑cost MacBook powered by an A18 Pro chip, in colorful finishes and a smaller footprint, would be aimed at students and price‑sensitive buyers. If you want the quick primer on that cheaper model, we’ve summarized the leaks and positioning here: Apple’s rumored budget MacBook: what we know about the J700. If you’re shopping or just curious, this cheaper option could shake up the entry‑level laptop market — and it’s exactly the sort of product that benefits from Apple’s vertical integration. (If you’re looking for a general Apple laptop, the Apple MacBook remains the go‑to in many buying guides.)
AI, networking and the connective tissue
Two quieter threads will matter more than most consumers realize: networking and AI glue. Apple’s new N1 networking chip is expected to begin appearing across Macs and home devices, improving Wi‑Fi and low‑power connectivity. On the AI side, the company’s approach to Siri and Apple Intelligence — including reports it’s adapting a custom Google Gemini model — suggests Apple will push more functionality onto devices while still leaning on selective cloud assistance. That mix could improve responsiveness without handing over user data indiscriminately; it’s the kind of architecture that helps sell a home hub, too. Read more about Apple’s AI plans if you want the technical view: Apple to Use a Custom Google Gemini Model to Power Next‑Gen Siri.
Accessories and a side note on audio
Not everything big is a phone or laptop. There are whispers of a higher‑end AirPods Pro 3 with an infrared camera for new AI features and improved spatial capabilities — an intriguing signal that Apple may use earbuds for sensing as well as sound. If you’re invested in Apple’s audio ecosystem, the next AirPods iteration is worth watching; current models and alternatives remain widely available, for example the AirPods Pro are still top picks for many listeners.
Rumors are fluid, and Apple always has a penchant for surprising timing and last‑minute changes. What’s clear: 2026 won’t be a quiet year. There are near‑term refreshes designed to keep shelves stocked and a longer game that nudges Apple into new categories — foldables, home control, and a refreshed professional laptop line. Expect announcements staggered through spring and a heavier cadence toward autumn as the company times big reveals to press cycles and holiday shopping.
If these reports line up, we’re looking at a year where Apple bets on breadth as much as depth — stretching existing lines while trying to make new ones matter. Watch the hub and the foldable closely; they’ll tell you whether Apple is simply iterating or truly innovating.