What to expect from Apple’s October 13 “Welcome home” releases

Apple will release more hardware on October 13, with high expectations for its smart home lineup. Here’s what you can anticipate Apple will reveal and what it probably won’t.

For product launches, Apple is best known for its September special event, which hosts new iPhone models such as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. However, there are often more events than just one held in the fall.

Regularly, it holds a second event in October or November, used to launch products it didn’t think it would unveil alongside the iPhones. This is exactly the case in autumn 2026.

Apple has confirmed that it will hold a second fall event on October 13, 2026. Titled “Welcome Home,” Apple strongly intends for it to be a smart home-focused event.

Once again, it will likely be a pre-recorded presentation recorded at Apple Park, streamed on YouTube, the Apple TV app, and Apple’s event page. Some of the press will be present in New York City.

This will be the second series of releases under the leadership of CEO John Ternus.

As usual, AppleInsider will report in depth on product launches.

What to expect from the October event and beyond

Apple launched a lot during its “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9, including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the fifth-generation AirPods.

This still leaves many products waiting to be introduced. Based on rumors and expectations over the past few months, what follows is what you might expect from Apple.

However, while the list includes quite a few products, the fact that the event is titled “Welcome Home” strongly suggests that it will be dominated by smart home hardware.

There is also the prospect of another event after this one. The October 27 event is thought to be the usual Mac and iPad event.

It is quite possible that the rumors are wrong and that Apple lumps everything into one event. But it seems more plausible that Apple would discontinue launches this way.

Security cameras and thermostats – Likely

Among the most recent rumors about the event and Apple’s plans is the news of an unusual partnership with LG. The partnership will see devices co-designed by Apple but branded by LG, including a smart deadbolt lock, interior and exterior security cameras, and a projector camera.

Despite this, Apple is said to still be working on its own range of smart home cameras. These are expected to launch in 2027.

Apple has also partnered with Schneider to produce devices including smart thermostats, a humidity sensor, and more.

These are all new devices, but Apple is also expected to update its more familiar ranges like Apple TV and HomePods.

HomePod mini – Likely

From the most likely launches, the HomePod mini is expected to get an update. In fact, Apple’s own code referenced new colors for the refreshed lineup.

The new models will maintain the Blue, Black and White colors of the first generation set, but the Yellow and Orange are ready to disappear. They will instead be replaced by powder pink and forest green.

It won’t just be a color change, as it will almost certainly receive a spec update in the form of new chips. In most cases, the chip change to the S10 will bring with it support for Siri AI, as well as a few other features.

Other code leaks have referenced a new surround sound mode in a four-speaker setup. A “Party Mode” was also mentioned, although not exactly what that means.

Apple TV 4K – Likely

Continuing the smart home theme, the Apple TV 4K is also expected to have similar brightness to the HomePod mini. Once again, the main focus of the change will be to introduce support for Siri AI, as indicated by a code leak from June.

Current expectations are an upgrade to the A19 or A19 Pro chip, as well as a possible memory upgrade to 8GB or 12GB. The chip changes will also include the N1 networking chip, one of Apple’s designs.

While the design of the Apple TV 4K isn’t expected to change this time, there could be a new Siri Remote. Although the product identifiers state that a new controller is on the way, word is sparse on what will change.

There was a rumor late on October 11th, claiming that the Apple TV 4K could get a new processor in the form of the A19. At the same time, it could also have a microphone so it can be used to talk to Siri without the HomePod or Siri Remote.

Beyond that, our best hope is for some form of ultra-wideband or Find My integration for Siri Remote.

HomeView: Extremely likely

Rounding out the smart home category is the oft-cited Home Hub. Or at least, that’s what we were referring to pre-launch.

An October 11 report says it’s actually called “HomeView.”

Intended to be the center of a smart home setup, the Home Hub can take the form of half a HomePod with an attached display. A second version is the one that can be fixed to the wall, possibly using a magnetic support.

In fact, it will be a smart display that will show the user’s notifications, calendars and other important daily details that he needs to be informed about. It will also handle tasks like FaceTime calls, using a built-in camera.

It’s a big-screen device, but it won’t be a large app-using device. There will be limited app installation and no access to an App Store.

Despite being a whole-home device, it will still maintain privacy in some way, such as controlling nearby iPhones or using artificial intelligence. This should help it display information intended for a specific user, not all occupants of the home.

The interface will apparently borrow ideas from the Apple Watch, including a home screen with “faces” and a “face gallery.” It appears that users will be able to set complications on the display that will be visible when not in active use.

Even though it will be touch-enabled, the main way people will be persuaded to interact with it will be through voice, specifically Siri. Touch will be an option, but it will not be essential.

It will also act as a central hub for your smart home, controlling Apple Home devices and acting as a central point of reference for the network itself. Which is handy, considering the huge number of accessories supposedly on the way.

iPad mini – Probably not

While it was a strong contender to launch alongside the iPhones, the iPad mini is still expected to receive some form of update in 2026.

This is one of those models set to launch in late October.

It is expected that the main novelty of the eighth generation device will concern the display. An 8.4-inch LTPS panel with hybrid OLED should bring it into line with the iPad Pro range, if not to the same specification standard.

In addition to the display you can also count on a chip upgrade. The current favorite is the A20, along with the possible inclusion of Apple’s modem and networking chips.

Smaller rumored changes include a repositioning of the FaceTime camera, as well as a new vibration-based speaker to help improve water resistance.

M6 MacBook Pro and iMac – Probably not

A post-iPhone event usually happens when Apple introduces new Mac products. However, following the surprise launch of the M6 ​​Mac mini and Mac Studio update in late August, Apple has fewer models to choose from.

The most obvious ones being rumored are the M6 ​​models. After the Mac mini, M6 MacBook Pro and iMac models are presumably on the horizon.

The M6 ​​MacBook Pro rumors say it will still use a mini LED screen with ProMotion, the same six-speaker sound system, the same ports and the same chassis as the current generation.

However, it will instead get an upgrade to the M6 ​​chip, making it a typical Apple spec upgrade.

It’s a similar story for the 24-inch iMac M6, which is also thought to be given a speed boost but will retain the current design. An OLED overhaul is planned for the iMac, but that will happen in the very distant future.

If these appear, it will be during the Mac and iPad event in late October.

MacBook Pro OLED – Probably not

One of the most successful entries for the MacBook Pro line has been the display. An OLED-equipped model has been rumored for some time, and observers believe it could emerge this time.

While speculation places the launch in early 2027, it is now thought to take place in October. Or at least to be announced in October with a release in November.

Since the first event will be focused on the smart home, this will appear in the late October event for Mac and iPad, if it actually shows up.

An OLED display can offer users richer black tones and a higher quality image, while also consuming less power. Being a touchscreen, it will also be the first MacBook to be touch-enabled and will join the notebook market that already has many touch-enabled displays.

Aside from the display, you can probably expect this to be a spec upgrade, including using Apple’s latest chips. But there may be a change in construction that helps him lose weight.

On October 4, a report claimed that there will be a significant weight reduction, thanks to Apple’s redesign of components to make them smaller and lighter. It remains to be seen whether the weight loss will be enough to get closer to the lighter MacBook Air.

Expected in 2027

Apple’s product catalog is much longer than the one here, even taking into account items that may emerge in the late October event. Instead, you can expect them to arrive in early 2027 in some form.

This list includes updates to:

Updated October 11, 2026: Added changes to scheduled events and updated lineups.