December 18, 2025, 12:32 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
In recent days, leaks of unpublished, internal Apple iOS versions have provided us with a wealth of information about Apple’s roadmap for the coming years. The same source now offers further details on the codenames for new devices, as well as specific features and functions. Here’s an overview.
Last week, TECHBOOK reported on an extensive code leak that included hints about new iPads and smart home devices. Shortly thereafter, an iPhone 16 prototype surfaced, running an early developer version of iOS 26—then still called iOS 19. “MacRumors” received additional details about the beta version from an anonymous source. From this information and previous leaks, the roadmap for Apple’s devices in the coming years can be pieced together.
Apple Devices Planned for 2026
iPhone
Apple is expected to introduce the next generation of its entry-level iPhone in the spring. The iPhone 17e is set to finally receive MagSafe, unlike its predecessor, and will feature Apple’s new C1X modem, already found in the iPhone Air.
The real excitement, however, will come in the fall. The launch of the iPhone 18 series is planned for the end of the year. Unlike before, only the higher-priced models, iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, are expected to be released at that time. Face ID could be integrated under the display for the first time, and a camera with a variable aperture is planned. The star of the show is likely to be Apple’s first foldable smartphone: the iPhone Fold.
The device, codenamed V68, is expected to come in a book format and, when folded, be similar in size to an iPhone mini. The internal screen, with a diagonal of about 7.6 inches, will rival the iPad mini. The foldable iPhone is also expected to be the first to feature an under-display camera, allowing for an uninterrupted display.
iPad
New models for the iPad and iPad Air are planned for early 2026. The 12th-generation iPad is set to support Apple Intelligence for the first time with a current chip—the A19 from the iPhone 17. It will also include the Apple N1 for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The iPad Air, on the other hand, is expected to stick to its usual cycle and receive the one-generation-old M4 chip.
Later in the year—possibly alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold—the 8th generation iPad mini is expected to follow. The device is set to receive a redesign with a waterproof casing and appear for the first time with an OLED display. The inclusion of the upcoming A20 Pro chip is also likely.
Also of interest: Apple Launches OLED Offensive—Will It Be Costly for Customers?
Mac
A series of new Apple laptops is also targeted for early 2026—including the new entry-level MacBook, which will come with the A18 Pro instead of an M-series chip. With its competitive price, it is expected to compete with Chromebooks and affordable Windows laptops.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are also expected to receive new chips in 2026. The Air is slated for the M5, while the Pro will be equipped with the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max. Other models receiving an M5 upgrade:
- Mac mini: M5 and M5 Pro
- Mac Studio: M5 Max and M5 Ultra
- iMac Pro: M5 Max
By the end of 2026, additional MacBook Pro models are expected to be released. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is set to receive the M6. A major upgrade is in store for the more expensive MacBook Pro models with M6 Pro and M6 Max. The laptops are expected to feature an OLED display and a newly designed casing for the first time.
Apple Watch
Alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone Fold, the Apple Watch Series 12 is set to be released in the second half of the year with a new chip and additional health features. An Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also possible—though Apple has not updated the high-end smartwatch annually, so a release this year is not guaranteed.
Other
Additional Apple devices are planned for the first half of 2026. The AirTags 2 are expected to offer better connectivity and more accurate battery status information. Tracking a moving AirTag is also more precise, according to the code leak.
As TECHBOOK has extensively reported, a new Home Hub is in the works at Apple. The smart display will feature Face ID and a 1080p camera, capable of recognizing individual users and dynamically loading the corresponding profiles. The display is square and shows context-based information using Apple Intelligence. The hub is expected to launch with the new Siri, which Apple has been working on for years. Instead of a proprietary solution, the integration of Google Gemini is planned.
The HomePod mini 2 could also be released alongside the Home Hub. Additionally, an unknown device with the codename J229 is in development, which leaks suggest will have integrated sensors, hinting at a security camera.
A new Apple TV model could also hit the market in 2026.
Apple Devices Planned for 2027
iPhone
The standard model of the iPhone 18 is not expected to be released alongside the Pro models in fall 2026, but rather with the entry-level iPhone 18e in early 2027.
In fall 2027, the iPhone Air 2 could follow, which was originally planned for 2026. The lower-than-expected demand for the iPhone Air is likely to force Apple to rethink its release schedule. The successor is expected to address two major criticisms by adding a second camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens and offering a lower price.
2027 marks the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. Apple is working on an anniversary iPhone that will feature a completely new, fresh design. The plan is for a casing with front and back made of curved glass that wraps around the sides—similar to earlier Samsung smartphones like the Galaxy S8. After Face ID is expected to disappear under the display with the iPhone 18, the selfie camera will follow suit with the anniversary iPhone, creating a completely seamless front.
iPad
The earliest expected release for a newly designed iPad Air is 2027, which will also feature an OLED screen. However, the date is not secured, and the launch could be delayed.
Other
Numerous updates for iPads, Macs, and the Apple Watch are also expected in 2027—though specific details are not yet known. Other devices Apple is working on for release in the following year include:
- A table robot with a gripping arm (J595), which will also function as a Home Hub.
- A smart AI glasses (N401), intended to compete with Meta’s Ray-Bans. Apple has paused work on a Vision Pro successor to focus on the smart glasses segment.