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| According to Bloomberg, an iPhone Ultra is scheduled to be part of Apple's launch lineup in fall of 2026. A MacBook Ultra is also expected as part of a massive wave of new products. |
A wave of groundbreaking product launches, from a 20th-anniversary iPhone to camera-equipped AirPods, is set to reshape Apple's future under new leadership.
As the calendar turns toward the second half of 2026, Apple is preparing for one of the most transformative periods in its history. With new CEO John Ternus at the helm, the company is not only navigating a leadership transition but also readying an unprecedented wave of hardware innovations that will stretch well into the iPhone's 20th anniversary year in 2027.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, the next 16 months represent a pivotal moment for Apple. While many of the rumored products have been discussed in tech circles for years, the sheer volume and strategic significance of the upcoming releases paint a clear picture of a company executing a multi-year master plan.
The design shake-up begins: In his latest subscriber-only newsletter, Gurman highlights that for Apple's new CEO, the No. 1 priority must be revamping the company's design team and putting the focus back on the look and feel of products. You can read the full analysis and road map details in the Bloomberg newsletter here and a comprehensive product list at MacRumors.
The iPhone Revolution: Foldables, a 20th Anniversary Redesign, and a Strategic Shift
September 2026: Pro Models and the First Foldable
Apple is deviating from its traditional September launch strategy this year. Instead of refreshing the entire iPhone lineup, the company will reportedly focus exclusively on high-end devices. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will take center stage, powered by the new Apple A20 Pro chip — the company's first processor built on TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm process. This technological leap promises significant gains in performance and energy efficiency.
Alongside these flagships, Apple is finally set to enter the foldable market with a device Gurman refers to as the iPhone Ultra. This foldable is expected to share the same A20 Pro chip and will debut alongside the Pro models, marking a major diversification of Apple's smartphone portfolio.
Key features expected for the iPhone 18 Pro models include:
- A variable camera aperture for improved low-light photography and depth-of-field control.
- A smaller Dynamic Island, continuing Apple's quest to minimize display interruptions.
Early 2027: The Air and E Series Expansion
The first quarter of 2027 will bring the iPhone Air 2, likely featuring a dual-camera system and an A20 chip. This model will be joined by the standard iPhone 18 and a new budget-friendly iPhone 18e, ensuring Apple covers every price tier early in the year. This staggered release strategy gives the Pro and Ultra models a significant market exclusivity period during the crucial holiday shopping season.
September 2027: A "Liquid Glass" iPhone XX for the 20th Anniversary
The most anticipated launch of the entire roadmap is undoubtedly the iPhone's 20th-anniversary celebration in September 2027. Gurman reports that Apple is planning a completely new iPhone look featuring a seemingly borderless "Liquid Glass hardware design."
In a surprising twist, the typical iPhone 19 Pro branding will reportedly be skipped. Instead, Apple will unveil the iPhone 20 Pro and iPhone 20 Pro Max — potentially marketed as the iPhone XX to mark the historic occasion. This suggests Apple sees the anniversary as an inflection point, making a clean break from the past with a wholly reimagined aesthetic.
Apple Watch: Touch ID and a Design Refresh for Ultra
While Gurman is more cautious about the 2027 Apple Watch lineup, details for 2026 are becoming clearer. The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to debut in September with two notable upgrades:
- A faster S11 chip for improved performance.
- The long-rumored Touch ID sensor, likely embedded in the Digital Crown or side button, adding a new layer of biometric convenience for unlocking and payments.
More significantly, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is reportedly on track for a September launch with a new design, marking the first major aesthetic overhaul for the rugged smartwatch since its introduction.
iPads Get Smarter: Apple Intelligence Arrives on Affordable Tablets
Apple is finally bringing its Apple Intelligence AI capabilities to its more affordable tablets. The upcoming iPad 12 will reportedly be equipped with an Apple A18 or A19 chip, bringing advanced on-device AI features to the masses.
The iPad Mini 8 is in for a more substantial upgrade. According to Gurman, it will leap to an Apple A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, gain a stunning OLED display for the first time, and feature a water-resistant body — making it a powerful and portable AI powerhouse.
Mac and M6: The Next Generation Arrives
2026 Mac Updates
The Mac lineup will see steady updates throughout 2026 and early 2027, all centered around the next iteration of Apple silicon:
- A new Mac Studio workstation featuring Apple M5 Max and M6 Ultra chips.
- A refreshed Mac mini powered by the Apple M5 and M5 Pro chips.
- A new iMac with an M5 chip, continuing Apple's all-in-one desktop line.
Late 2026 / Early 2027: MacBook Pro Redesign
One of the most exciting developments is the long-rumored MacBook Pro redesign, which appears to be finally materializing. Expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, the new MacBook Pro will reportedly be part of the Apple M6 generation of chips.
Key features of the redesigned MacBook Pro include:
- A thinner and lighter enclosure.
- An OLED touchscreen display — a significant departure from current models.
- The introduction of the Dynamic Island to the Mac, providing a new interface for notifications and multitasking.
The possibility of a new MacBook Ultra moniker, analogous to the iPhone Ultra, has also surfaced, though Gurman notes its accuracy remains to be seen.
AI Gadgets and the Smart Home Expansion
Artificial intelligence will become increasingly tangible in Apple's product lineup through new dedicated gadgets:
- Camera-equipped AirPods: Expected to be the first AI gadget to arrive, these AirPods will likely use cameras for enhanced spatial audio and gesture controls.
- Apple Glasses: Gurman expects the smart glasses to follow in 2027, potentially offering a more practical take on AR than the fully immersive Apple Vision Pro.
- Smart Home Hub and Tabletop Robot: A new smart home display/control hub is on the schedule, along with a tabletop robot — though the latter may not arrive until 2028.
The smart home ecosystem will also see refreshes, including a new Apple TV, as well as new HomePod and HomePod Mini models in the coming months.
The Bigger Picture: Ternus's Defining Chapter
This unprecedented product roadmap represents more than just a series of hardware updates; it's a statement of intent under new leadership. As Gurman highlighted, the first challenge for CEO John Ternus is to rebuild a design team that has, in the view of some analysts, lost its way.
By transforming the iPhone for its 20th anniversary, introducing a new foldable form factor, reimagining the MacBook Pro, and embedding AI into more devices than ever before, Ternus is signaling a shift back to radical innovation. The next 16 months will not only answer questions about Apple's future direction but will define the legacy of its new CEO.
For Apple fans, investors, and tech enthusiasts alike, the countdown to September 2026 and the historic year of 2027 has officially begun.
Source : Power On Newsletter, Bloomberg via MacRumors