Apple’s Surprise and Shine product launch event is now in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean the company is finished unveiling new products. Cupertino still has plenty of hardware in the pipeline, with several new Macs and iPads expected before 2026 comes to a close.
And the product pipeline doesn’t stop there. Apple is also expected to have more new hardware ready in early 2027, making the next several months a busy period for the company.
Here’s what we have to look forward to.
New iPhones and Apple Watches are only the start
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s hottest product of 2026, and the two iPhone 18 Pro versions will sell by the million. That said, when Apple announced them at last week’s Surprise and Shine event, they just began the company’s product launches for this fall, not ended them.
Thanks to plentiful leaks and rumors, the rest of 2026 is expected to bring several new Mac models with the speedy new M6 processor, a significantly upgraded iPad mini, new Apple smart home devices and much more.
Bring on more M6 Macs!
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple surprised everyone by launching the M6 Mac mini in August, introducing its newest processor generation without much fanfare. The M6 chip delivers faster CPU and GPU performance than previous-generation chips while improving power efficiency and AI capabilities.
The version out now is mostly for consumers and everyday computing, which is why it debuted in the Mac mini. And also why it’s about to be dropped into the iMac all-in-one desktop, as well as the basic variant of the MacBook Pro.
- See also: 2026 iMac rumors: What to expect from Apple’s next all-in-one
- See also: M6 MacBook Pro rumor roundup: Faster chip, familiar design
According to leaks and rumors, both will be “chip and ship” upgrades, with the M6 being the only significant change in the desktop or the notebook.
The best info available points to the M6 iMac and the M6 MacBook Pro launching before the end of 2026, but we don’t have a more specific date. As for the cost, Apple already raised Mac prices in June, but with the RAMageddon global memory crisis showing no signs of decreasing, these new Macs are likely to come with price hikes.
A touchscreen MacBook at last!
Image: Cult of Mac/Apple/ChatGPT
It’s possible those two might not be the only Macs on Apple’s docket for this fall. After years of anticipation, the first-ever touchscreen MacBook is finally drawing closer. It could launch in the next month or so, but it might also come in early 2027 — sources are unclear.
The long-rumored notebook will supposedly introduce a host of new features that make it a potential game changer for the Mac lineup. In addition to touch support, it’s expected to be the first macOS notebook with an OLED display. Apple is also reportedly planning an overall redesign that could eventually make its way to other MacBook models over the following year.
Enough new features might be included for Apple to dub it the first “MacBook Ultra”. And the price is expected to be above any previous MacBook Pro. OLED touchscreens add the production cost, and more prices are still on the rise.
Just don’t expect faster versions the new M6 processor inside — the notebook will allegedly run an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip.
And a gorgeous OLED iPad mini
Concept: Cult of Mac
Moving beyond 2026 Mac rumors, Apple is also preparing its first iPad mini with an OLED display. Along with the upgrade to a brighter, more vibrant screen, the new tablet is expected to get a faster processor that will provide more power for Apple Intelligence and other demanding tasks.
Don’t be surprised by a price hike. OLED screens cost more than traditional LCDs, and now so does memory.
Bring on Apple’s newest smart home devices
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
After years of delay, Siri AI will finally launch on Monday, September 14 built into iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, etc. While that will be a boon for iPhone and Mac, it also means Apple can finally launch some smart home products that have reportedly been held up waiting for the new version of Siri powered by artificial intelligence.
The delay of new versions of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini stretched out long enough that some people are frustrated, but the devices are finally coming this fall. (Hopefully, the leakers are right this time.)
Apple could also venture into a new product category with its first smart home hub built around the company’s revamped Siri. The device is supposedly planned in two versions: a tabletop model and a wall-mounted option, with both featuring a 7-inch touchscreen.
Apple products not coming before 2027
While it’s possible some of the devices listed above might or might not launch this autumn — especially the touchscreen MacBook — there are other Apple products that rumors and leaks tell us will not be out before 2027.
Don’t expect the basic iPhone 18 version to arrive for several months. Multiple reports suggest Apple split its iPhone lineup across two annual launches for good reasons. As a result, the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly being held until spring 2027.
Other Apple devices that have been the subject of recent rumors also won’t be out before 2027. That includes the M6 MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo 2, the budget iPad 12, an OLED iPad Air and an M6 iPad Pro.
Will there be an Apple October event?
Each fall, there’s always a headline-making launch event for the new iPhone models — like the Rise and Shine event last week — but the same isn’t true for Apple’s other products. Sometimes they are quietly announced via simple press releases.
Which means that while it’s possible there may be an Apple product launch event in October for the new Macs, iPads, etc., it’s certainly not guaranteed. There have been no leaks pointing to one.
It’s just speculation, but Apple might want to make a huge deal about the first touchscreen MacBook, so it might be announced at a press event. But if that notebook doesn’t come before 2027, the new M6 Macs are more likely to debut via press releases sometime in October or November.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
