Apple has been releasing home‑focused products for years, and with HomeKit, the Home app and the Apple Home ecosystem there’s already a lot you can do with Apple devices and smart home technology. Since the introduction of the Matter smart‑home standard, the lineup has continued to grow. 2026 appears set to be a pivotal year for Apple’s smart‑home strategy, with several new products slated to make a major impact. Below are the upcoming Apple smart‑home devices expected to drive a big push in 2026.
Apple’s renewed focus on smart home
Apple introduced its first true smart‑home product in 2018 – the HomePod. However, the HomeKit platform actually began earlier, with the (revamped) Apple TV and tvOS arriving in 2015. For many users the Apple TV serves as the heart of an Apple smart home, though the HomePod can also fill that role. Since the first HomePod, Apple has released newer Apple TV models and a smaller HomePod mini, but a full‑scale smart‑home wave is still on the horizon.
Two years ago, reliable sources reported that Apple views “smart home as a top priority for the next two years.” While the rollout has been modest so far, everything points to 2026 becoming the year of a major push, driven by a lineup of both brand‑new devices and updated versions of existing favorites.
#1 Smart home display (or HomePod with screen)
Rumors about a HomePod with a display – potentially marketed as Apple’s smart‑home display – have persisted for years. The device is expected to act as a central hub for all HomeKit and Matter accessories, offering a wall‑mountable or tabletop form factor similar to a lightweight iPad but focused on quick smart‑home control. The name homeOS has surfaced, suggesting Apple may introduce a dedicated operating system for the product. Early reports indicate the device could arrive in the first half of the year, possibly in spring.
#2 Apple’s own smart‑home security camera
Apple is also believed to be developing its own indoor security camera. The camera would be fully integrated with the Home app and operate wirelessly. Features such as facial recognition and infrared sensors could identify who is in a room, unlocking new possibilities for HomeKit automations that currently rely mainly on time‑based triggers or location changes. For example, if the camera detects a specific person, a speaker could play that person’s music playlist or activate a preferred lighting scene.
There have also been mentions of an Apple smart doorbell that uses MagSafe. It’s unclear whether this refers to the same camera project, but both concepts appear to involve a wireless form factor with facial‑recognition capabilities.
#3 New Apple TV: more compute for your smart home?
The current Apple TV dates back to 2022, and a refreshed model is expected soon. While Apple previously rolled out new Apple TV 4K versions fairly quickly, the gap between the last two generations has stretched to about three and a half years. Analysts anticipate a faster chip—potentially an A17 Pro with Apple Intelligence—and a dedicated Wi‑Fi chip with improved specifications. More powerful silicon could enhance smart‑home stability, and additional Apple Intelligence features may be introduced for HomeKit.
#4 New HomePod mini: spec bump keeps it current
The second‑generation HomePod mini is not expected to bring dramatic changes, but an updated model could improve overall smart‑home performance. Apple may refresh the internal chips, adding its own Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth solutions, and possibly a second‑generation Ultra‑Wideband chip to enhance Handoff. Cosmetic updates such as new case colors and a faster S‑chip are also plausible, though Apple Intelligence support is not anticipated. Observe our earlier coverage of expected features for HomePod mini 2.
Whether a larger, updated HomePod will follow remains uncertain. The existing model, released in 2023, still has life left, though it may fall behind once a refreshed HomePod mini with stronger specs arrives.
Apple recently reminded users to update their Apple Home software promptly to avoid potential HomeKit disruptions, underscoring the company’s shift toward the Matter standard for its smart‑home architecture. Industry observers note a HomeKit architecture deadline approaching in 2026, adding urgency to these upcoming product releases.
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