Fall is a busy time for Apple, and we’re expecting a big harvest of products this October.
The highlight might be the first touchscreen MacBook. Also apparently coming in the next few weeks could be Apple’s first smart home hub. Plus, we’re keeping our eyes open for an updated HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. If all that wasn’t enough, an OLED iPad mini and several other Macs are reportedly waiting in the wings.
And, of course, the month will bring the launch of the folding iPhone Duo, which Apple unveiled in September.
Some of these products supposedly will arrive on October 13. Others have less certain release dates, so there’s still plenty of room for surprises. Here are the new products we’re expecting out of Apple this month.
8 new Apple products coming in October 2026
Apple has been busy recently, but we’ve only seen the first fruits of what new Apple CEO John Ternus called an “incredible” product pipeline. Cupertino kicked off a Mac refresh with revamped Mac mini and Mac Studio models in August. Then September brought the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. (The iPhone Duo was announced but not released, as noted.)
Apple isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. If the rumors prove correct, we can expect as many as eight new products in October. Just note that what you are about to read is based on leaks and other unconfirmed reports. Any of it could be incorrect.
First touchscreen MacBook Pro
Concept image: Cult of Mac/Apple/ChatGPT
Rumors and leaks of a touchscreen MacBook Pro circulated for years, and it’s apparently finally almost here. Bloomberg reported this week that Apple could introduce it as early as October, though the launch might slip to November.
This appears to be the beginning of a new era for the MacBook Pro. Beyond the touchscreen, Apple reportedly developed 14- and 16-inch versions with an OLED display and a thinner design. Other reports indicate a Dynamic Island will replace the traditional notch.
Apple has reportedly been working to make macOS 27 touch-friendly for this notebook and its successors.
Expect an M5 Pro or M5 Max processor inside, not new M6 variants that aren’t available (and might never be).
Apple’s new smart home hub
Concept art: Cult of Mac
Apple plans to break into a new product category with its long-rumored smart home hub. The device is expected to feature a roughly 6-inch square touchscreen designed to sit on a countertop or hang on a wall.
The hub supposedly will be built around Apple’s revamped Siri AI, allowing it to control smart home devices while also handling things like FaceTime calls, music, photos, messages and other apps. And Bloomberg says the product is coming on October 13.
For a full description of everything that has leaked so far about the device, read: Apple’s long-awaited smart home hub finally gets a launch date.
HomePod mini 2 and new Apple TV 4K
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Alongside with the smart home hub, rumors point to refreshed versions of the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K.
Both will supposedly retain their familiar designs while getting faster processors capable of supporting Apple’s new Siri AI features. Making the smart home devices AI-friendly is apparently the primary goal of these new models.
Expect them to launch at the same time as Apple’s smart home hub.
M6 MacBook Pro
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The standout feature of the 2026 Mac mini is the M6 processor. The latest generation of Apple silicon brings a substantial performance boost over its predecessor, with a faster CPU, a significantly more powerful GPU and a redesigned Neural Engine aimed at accelerating Apple Intelligence workloads. The M6 also delivers major gains in graphics and AI performance while improving power efficiency.
Following long-held habits, Apple plans to keep putting this base-model variant of the chip into more of its entry-level Macs. The low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro will apparently receive the M6 processor (replacing the current M5 version) while otherwise retaining the existing design.
To be clear, this does not mean Apple is about to introduce M6 Pro and M6 Max variants for premium MacBook Pro models. High-end M6 variants have reportedly been canceled, with Apple expediting the M7 series instead.
M6 iMac
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The colorful 24-inch iMac could be next in line for Apple’s M6 processor. The current version of Apple’s all-in-one desktop still uses the M4, so a rumored M6 version would represent a substantial jump in performance.
Rumors suggest Apple isn’t planning a major redesign, however. This looks more like a traditional chip-and-ship upgrade, potentially accompanied by new colors.
Excited? Learn more in our roundup of 2026 iMac rumors: What to expect from Apple’s next all-in-one.
OLED iPad mini
Concept: Cult of Mac
The trusty iPad mini is reportedly about to get its biggest overhaul in years. Apple is expected to replace the current 8.3-inch LCD with an OLED display. That should bring the usual OLED benefits, including deeper blacks, stronger contrast and a brighter, more vibrant picture.
The tablet will also supposedly get a processor speed boost designed to handle Apple Intelligence features. Plus, design changes should bring better water resistance.
- See also: OLED iPad mini: Everything we know so far.
iPhone Duo
Photo: Apple
While Apple revealed the iPhone Duo to the world last month, the folding phone actually reaches customers in October.
With its bendable OLED screen, it’s a solid break from traditional handsets. When unfolded, the device has a 7.6-inch display and measures just 4.3 mm thick. A 5.4-inch outer screen makes it usable like a conventional iPhone when closed. Apple revamped iOS 27 for this dual-screen device and future models.
The handset runs on Apple’s A20 Pro chip and features a titanium frame, a dual-battery system and a 48MP dual-camera system.
Preorders begin on October 16, with the phone officially launching on October 23.
Timing for Apple’s many October product announcements?
Information recently leaking out of company headquarters revealed that Apple plans to introduce its smart home products — the home hub and revamped HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K — on October 13.
As noted, the touchscreen MacBook Pro is also expected this month, though November is also a possibility. As for the other new Macs and the iPad mini, perhaps they’ll launch at the same time as the home hub. But they are all rumored to hit store shelves this fall.
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.
