Apple is releasing more hardware on October 13, with big expectations surrounding its smart home lineup. Here's what you can anticipate Apple will unveil, and what it probably won't.

For product launches, Apple is best known for its September special event, which is the venue for new iPhone models like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. However, it often holds more events in the fall than just one.

Regularly, it holds a second event in October or November, used to launch products that it didn't feel it could reveal alongside the iPhones. That is exactly the case for fall 2026.

Apple has confirmed that it will be holding a second fall event on October 13, 2026.Again, it will likely be a prerecorded presentation recorded at Apple Park, streamed on YouTube, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Event page. Some press will be in attendance in New York City.

This will be the second set of releases under the tenure of CEO John Ternus.

As usual, AppleInsider will be reporting in-depth about the product launches.

What to expect for the October event

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

That still leaves a lot of products waiting in the wings for an introduction. Based on rumors and expectations over the past few months, what follows is what you could expect Apple to bring out.

Security cameras and thermostats - likely

The most recent rumors regarding the event and Apple's plans include news of an unusual partnership with LG. The partnership will see Apple co-designed but LG-branded devices including a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera.

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

Apple has also been working 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 such as Apple TV and HomePods.

HomePod mini - Likely

Starting off with the more probable launches, the HomePod mini is widely expected to get a refresh. Indeed, Apple's own code referenced new colors for the refreshed range.

The new models will retain the Blue, Black, and White colorways of the first-generation set, but Yellow and Orange are set to go. Instead, they will be replaced by Powder Pink and Forest Green.

It won't just be a change in color, as it will almost certainly get a spec-bump update in the form of new chips. For the most part, the chip change will bring with it support for Siri AI, as well as some other features.

Other code leaks have referenced a new surround sound mode in a four-speaker setup. A "Party Mode" has also been mentioned, though not exactly what that means.

Apple TV 4K - Likely

Continuing the smart home theme, the Apple TV 4K is also expected to get a similar glow-up to the HomePod mini. Again, the main thrust of the change will be to introduce support for Siri AI, as one June code leak indicated.

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

While the design of the Apple TV 4K itself isn't expected to change this time around, there may be a new Siri Remote. Though product identifiers say a new controller is on the way, rumors are light on what will change.

Our best hope is for some form of ultra wideband or Find My integration for the Siri Remote.

Home Hub - extremely likely

Rounding out the smart home category, there is the often-rumored Home Hub. Or, at least, that's what we've been referring it as pre-launch.

Intended to be the center of a smart home setup, the Home Hub may take the form of half a HomePod with a display attached. A second version is one that could attach to a wall, possibly using a magnetic stand.

Effectively, it will be a smart display that shows a user's notifications, calendars, and other important daily details they need to know about. It will also handle tasks like FaceTime calls, using a built-in camera.

While a whole-home device, it will still maintain privacy in some way, such as checking for nearby iPhones or using AI. This should help it display information intended for a specific user, not to all home occupants.

The interface will apparently borrow ideas from the Apple Watch, including a home screen with "faces" and a "face gallery." This sounds like users will be able to set complications on the display that will be in view when not in active use.

It will also act as a central hub for your smart home, controlling Apple Home devices and being a central port of call for the network itself.

iPad mini - probably not

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

The eighth-generation device's main change is anticipated to be the display. An 8.4-inch LTPS panel with hybrid OLED should bring it in line with the iPad Pro range, if not to the same standard of specifications.

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

Smaller changes that have been rumored 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 - Late October

A post-iPhone event is usually when Apple introduces new Mac products. However, following the surprise launches of the M6 Mac mini and updated Mac Studio in late August means there's fewer models for Apple to choose from.

The most obvious ones that have been rumored about are the M6 models. Catching up to the Mac mini, there are M6 models of MacBook Pro and iMac allegedly on the horizon.

The M6 MacBook Pro rumors say that 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-bump upgrade.

It's a similar story for the M6 24-inch iMac, with it also thought to be given a speed boost, but retain the current design. An overhaul with OLED is expected for the iMac, but that will be far into the future.

OLED MacBook Pro - Late October

One of the big-hitter rumors for the MacBook Pro line has been the display. An OLED-equipped model has been rumored about for quite some time, and observers believe it could surface this time around.

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

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

Other than the display, you can probably expect it to be a spec-bump update, including using Apple's newer chips. But there may be a change in construction that helps it lose weight.

On October 4, a report claimed there will be a significant weight reduction, thanks to Apple redesigning components to be smaller and lighter. Whether the weight loss will be enough to get closer to the lighter MacBook Air remains to be seen.