In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple will be entering into “one of its most pivotal years in recent memory.” On top of the planned rollout of Apple Intelligence, the Bloomberg writer stated that 2026 could be a “make-or-break year on the regulatory front” for Apple with regard to the recent pressure on the App Store and the possibility of additional tariffs.
However, diving into the products, the report stated we will likely see the release of the iPhone 17e, an “entry-level” iPad with an A18 chip, and an iPad Air with an M4 chip early in the year. The company also plans to release a MacBook Air with an M5 chip, a MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and new Mac monitors in that same timeframe.
Apple plans to kick off its smart home strategy sometime between March and April. The company will introduce its first smart display in both speaker-base and wall-mounted variants.
This release will align with Apple’s efforts to enhance its AI capabilities through improvements to the Siri voice assistant. It will also pave the way for the company’s home security ecosystem, which will include cameras.
Gurman also mentioned that we’ll see iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and other operating systems unveiled in June during the Worldwide Developers Conference. During this segment, he also talked about the upcoming iPad mini, though he never stated outright when exactly the device will officially launch. Unfortunately, the iPad Pro is slated for a 2027 release.
As usual, the tech giant will release the new iPhones and Apple Watches in autumn. What makes this fall release different is that the tech giant is expected to launch the foldable iPhone during this time. It is worth noting that Gurman mentioned that the iPhone 18 Pro models will drop the Qualcomm modems for Apple’s own C2 components.
By the end of the year, the company may introduce redesigned MacBook Pro models featuring M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, slimmer chassis, touchscreens, and OLED displays. Regarding other macs, we might see a new Mac mini with the M5 chip and a new Mac studio.
Apple is also committed to developing its own smart glasses, with the report stating that the company plans to preview the device before 2027. Gurman also mentioned that suppliers are already producing small quantities of product internationally.
With Apple turning 50 in 2026, it is no surprise that the company is pulling out all the stops to create an absolutely stacked line-up of products. Though this information comes from a reliable source (see: Gurman), it remains a rumour until proven otherwise and should be taken with a hefty dose of scepticism.
(Source: Bloomberg)
