Apple's smart home springs a leak - here's everything we expect to see in September

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A recent leak included references to unreleased Apple hardware, confirming that the company has been working on multiple smart home upgrades rumored for release over the next year. The information came via a software build for MacOS and included references to both smart home devices and consumer electronics, including the widely expected foldable iPhone .

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Many of the products are ones we expected and were already pretty certain would launch during Apple's September iPhone event . These include the iPhone 18 lineup, a foldable iPhone, and upcoming iPads and Macs, likely to be released in early 2027. However, it also included multiple smart home devices, camera-equipped AirPods, and a future Vision headset.

Here's a full list of the unreleased products included in the software build:

There were also additional identifiers associated with upcoming iPads and Macs.

On the smart home side, we see references to a smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and an Apple Home device that appears to be a security camera. A smart home device also references its availability in Space Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Rose Pink finishes.

We've been reporting on a new smart home display from Apple for years now, and a recent accidental product leak suggests it's closer than many believe. The addition of the new Siri , powered by generative AI and expected this fall, will elevate the Apple smart home experience to compete with the most popular assistants from Amazon and Google.

According to multiple rumors, the new smart home hub will be a square display that may come in several finishes, if the hardware reference leak corresponds to the hub. One version may feature only the 7-inch display, while another may include a speaker base. The display could launch this October or in early 2027, and the price is expected to be around $350.

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Apple removed the iPad's ability to double as a smart home hub a few years ago. Making old iPads double as smart displays could've been a great opportunity for Apple for years to come, especially after adding smarter features to its operating systems, like Standby Mode. But there is hope, as Apple has integrated Thread radios on newer MacBooks and other devices, signaling a possible expansion of its smart home focus.