Will new Apple {hardware} steal iOS 26’s thunder at WWDC 2025?

Yearly, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, hypothesis about what new merchandise might arrive alongside all the massive software program bulletins. Whereas sources declare that Apple has been engaged on a brand new interface for iOS, macOS, and different working techniques, we haven’t heard a lot about new {hardware} coming at WWDC.

There are rumors about merchandise within the works—most notably new Macs and the “HomePad” good house hub—however the actuality is, for those who’re anticipating to see new {hardware} at WWDC 2025, you’re prone to be disillusioned.

WWDC is a software program occasion

Traditionally, WWDC is an occasion targeted nearly fully on software program. In spite of everything, it’s a convention for builders. Yearly, Apple not solely reveals its plans for the way forward for its working techniques on the occasion, but in addition provides builders early entry to new APIs and frameworks. This allows them to begin optimizing their apps for the brand new platforms months forward of public releases.

Whereas there have been occasional {hardware} bulletins, akin to the unique HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the primary have a look at the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional in 2023, these moments have been tightly linked to developer wants.

This 12 months, rumors recommend that Apple has been engaged on new {hardware} merchandise that may very well be a superb match for WWDC, nevertheless it doesn’t seem like they’ll be prepared in time for this 12 months’s occasion. Right here’s why.

HomePad: Delayed

In an effort to take HomeKit to the following stage, Apple has been engaged on a wise house hub with a built-in display screen for a number of years. The thought is to let customers simply management their HomeKit equipment, akin to lamps, heaters, and robotic vacuum cleaners, even when their cellphone isn’t round. Whereas the precise title of the system is unclear, experiences declare it would mix elements of the HomePod and iPad in a single product targeted on the good house, so it’s been dubbed HomePad.

Foundry

Together with the good house capabilities, HomePad will reportedly additionally perform as an Apple TV-like leisure system so customers can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in digital camera. Primarily, it will likely be a house companion system that’s both mounted to a wall or sits in a dock.

Whereas the HomePad was as soon as anticipated to launch within the spring, current experiences declare the undertaking is delayed, probably till 2026. The primary motive is because of a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the brand new Siri expertise, which have been beset with points.

It’s attainable that Apple provides a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, because it did with HomePod and Imaginative and prescient Professional, however most experiences say Apple is concentrated on fixing Siri first.

M5 Macs and iPads: Not but

WWDC has been a sizzling spot for brand new Macs lately, with Apple Silicon, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, and the M2 Extremely chip all making their debuts at WWDC.

As such, there was hypothesis about whether or not Apple will announce any new Mac {hardware} at WWDC. Except the Mac Professional, which hasn’t seen any updates since 2022, Apple has already accomplished the transition of all the Mac lineup to the M4 chip, launched final 12 months with the iPad Professional.

In principle, this might imply that Apple will transfer onto the following era of chips at WWDC, however don’t depend on it. Apple usually unveils the primary new Macs with the following era of chips within the fall, round October and November. And in keeping with a number of sources within the business, this would be the case as soon as once more this 12 months. A brand new iPad Professional with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Professional are mentioned to be on monitor for the second half of 2025.

It’s attainable that Apple unveils a brand new high-end chip for the getting older Mac Professional, however most experiences declare that Apple will preserve the present mannequin round till the M5 Extremely arrives.

Foundry

iPhone 17: Coming in September

Though prior to now Apple has launched new iPhone fashions at WWDC, it’s been greater than a decade since an iPhone mannequin debuted on the occasion. Moreover, the iPhone 16e solely simply arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September.

One of many fundamental causes is that the brand new iPhone at all times ships with the brand new model of iOS introduced at WWDC, so Apple wants time to check and refine the brand new software program earlier than launching the brand new cellphone. So for those who’re planning to purchase an iPhone 17, you’ll have to attend till September at the very least.

Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional 2: Possibly subsequent 12 months

The primary Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional is decidedly a developer system. It was introduced at WWDC 2023 however didn’t ship till 2024, primarily so builders had time to construct new apps for the headset. And with a $3,499 price ticket, it’s nonetheless mainly a developer package. 

The present Imaginative and prescient Professional is powered by the M2 chip, which some shoppers might think about outdated for a product that prices $3,500. Though Apple is rumored to be engaged on an up to date Imaginative and prescient Professional with an M5 chip inside, this mannequin is unlikely to reach earlier than subsequent 12 months.

In accordance with a report from The Data, Apple has reportedly put aside the Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 undertaking to work on a extra inexpensive model of its combined actuality headset, however that mannequin isn’t anticipated to ship for some time both. So whereas we’ll get a have a look at the brand new visionOS software program, the identical {hardware} is probably going sticking round for at the very least one other 12 months.

Foundry

What to anticipate as a substitute at WWDC 2025?

As soon as once more, this WWDC will probably be all about software program and providers, so anticipate main updates throughout all Apple platforms.

From iOS 19 to macOS 16 (or probably iOS 26 and macOS 26), Apple’s working techniques will probably be up to date with a brand new, extra trendy interface. Sources consider that the brand new design language will probably be just like what Apple launched with visionOS, which has extra depth and shadows quite than a very flat interface.

Apple can be rumored to be engaged on new options to make iPadOS extra just like macOS, in addition to additional bettering Apple Intelligence and the Siri expertise. So there will probably be loads to get enthusiastic about at WWDC 2025, nevertheless it nearly definitely received’t contain any new units.

WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with a gap keynote. Make sure you comply with Macworld’s full protection of the occasion.