If current rumors hold, 2026 could be one of the most transformative years in Apple’s modern history. From its first-ever foldable iPhone to a long-awaited AI overhaul of Siri, Apple appears ready to reshape multiple product categories at once. The year is shaping up to be less about incremental upgrades and more about platform-level shifts—hardware, software, and AI all moving together.
Here’s a clear look at what Apple is expected to launch in 2026, and why it matters.
iPhones: A Split Strategy and the Arrival of iPhone Fold
iPhone 17e (Early 2026)
Apple is expected to kick off the year with the iPhone 17e, a refreshed entry-level model designed to modernize the “e” lineup. Leaks suggest slimmer bezels, a possible Dynamic Island, MagSafe support, and a more contemporary design than the iPhone 16e. The goal is simple: keep Apple competitive at the lower end without sacrificing access to Apple Intelligence features.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (September 2026)
The flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to look familiar, but major changes could be happening under the glass. Apple is widely rumored to introduce under-display Face ID, potentially eliminating the Dynamic Island altogether and replacing it with a subtle hole-punch camera.
Powering these models will likely be the A20 chip, Apple’s first 2-nanometer processor, promising meaningful gains in performance and efficiency. Camera upgrades could include a variable aperture main lens, giving users more control over depth of field and low-light photography.
Foldable iPhone (September 2026)
The headline product of the year is Apple’s first foldable device, widely referred to as iPhone Fold. Expected to use a book-style design, the device could feature a 7.6-inch internal OLED display and a 5.3-inch external screen. Apple’s engineering focus appears to be thinness and durability, with reports suggesting a nearly invisible crease and a Liquidmetal hinge.
Pricing is expected to land between $2,000 and $2,500, firmly positioning the device as a premium category-defining product rather than a mass-market experiment.
iPads: OLED, AI, and Subtle Refinements
The iPad lineup will see more evolutionary changes in 2026.
- 12th-generation iPad: Likely powered by the A19 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence support for the first time on Apple’s most affordable tablet.
- iPad Air: Expected to jump to the M4 chip, narrowing the performance gap with the iPad Pro.
- iPad mini: One of the more exciting updates, with strong rumors pointing to an OLED display, improved water resistance, and potentially the A20 Pro chip.
There is no iPad Pro refresh expected in 2026, with the next major update likely pushed to 2027.
Macs: A Cheaper MacBook and M5 Everywhere
Low-Cost MacBook (Early 2026)
Apple is expected to introduce a new low-cost MacBook, priced below the $999 MacBook Air. Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the device would offer performance comparable to Apple’s early M-series Macs while competing directly with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops.
This move signals Apple’s intent to expand macOS deeper into education and price-sensitive markets.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
- MacBook Air: Updated with the M5 chip, no major design changes.
- MacBook Pro: M5 Pro and M5 Max variants arrive early in the year, with performance improvements but no redesign.
OLED MacBook Pro (Late 2026 or Early 2027)
Apple is reportedly working on a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro, potentially powered by an M6 chip. This would mark the biggest MacBook redesign in years, with thinner chassis, higher contrast displays, and touch input for the first time.
Home Products: Apple’s Smart Home Push Begins
Home Hub (Spring 2026)
Apple is expected to launch a smart home command center, featuring a 7-inch display, presence detection, video calling, and deep Siri integration. The device will serve as a centralized controller for HomeKit accessories, media, and communication.
HomePod mini and Apple TV
Both devices are expected to receive internal chip upgrades, enabling Apple Intelligence features and improved connectivity through Apple’s new N1 networking chip.
Wearables: AI Glasses on the Horizon
Apple is reportedly preparing AI-powered smart glasses to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration. These glasses are expected to focus on audio, cameras, and AI assistance—without displays—and rely on the iPhone for processing. A late-2026 preview is possible, with a full launch likely in 2027.
Apple Watch updates in 2026 are expected to be modest, with potential performance gains from a new S12 chip.
Software: LLM Siri Takes Center Stage
iOS 26.4 and LLM Siri (Spring 2026)
The most important software update of the year may arrive before WWDC. Apple plans to release a large language model-powered Siri, capable of understanding context, acting across apps, and responding more like ChatGPT or Claude.
Key features include:
- Personal context awareness across messages, files, and photos
- Onscreen understanding
- Deeper app-level actions
Apple is reportedly using Google’s Gemini models behind the scenes, but running them on its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.
iOS 27 and macOS 27
Expected to focus on performance, polish, and AI expansion rather than flashy redesigns. Foldable iPhone-specific UI changes are also anticipated.
Why 2026 Matters for Apple
2026 isn’t just another product cycle. It’s a convergence year—new hardware categories, a reimagined AI strategy, and a broader push into affordability and smart homes. If Apple executes well, this could mark the company’s most significant evolution since the transition to Apple silicon.
From foldable phones to conversational AI and accessible Macs, Apple isn’t just iterating—it’s repositioning for the next decade.
