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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Ten devices, including a new HomePod mini and security camera, were accidentally leaked.
- An Apple smart home display, rumored for years, also appears in the leak.
- We expect Apple’s product launch event to take place within the next four weeks.
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 camemart 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.
Which Apple devices were leaked?
Here’s a full list of the unreleased products included in the software build:
- J490/J491 Home Hub:Appears to be Apple’s upcoming smart-home hub with a screen (often referred to as the “HomePad” by the media).
- B525 HomePod mini:Distinguishable from the current HomePod mini that boasts the code name B520.
- J229 Smart home accessory:Likely an Apple Home security camera.
- V62, V63, V64, V67, and V68 iPhone 18 lineup:List of unreleased iPhones, including the expected foldable model.
- B790 AirPods with camera:Camera-equipped AirPods are presumably to work alongside Visual Intelligence.
- N109: A future Vision headset.
There were also additional identifiers associated with upcoming iPads and Macs.
What we expect from the Apple smart home
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.
I fear Apple may overprice its smart display and that, similar to what happened with the Vision Pro, the display will get relegated to the recesses of consumer minds, lingering there as a cool device that most Apple users wouldn’t actually buy. Apple likes to consider itself a maker of premium devices, but it’d do well to remember that the people using their smartphones also represent the average consumer — who’s unlikely to pay between $300-$500 for a smart home display.
If Apple is looking to sell millions of smart display units, it should consider compromising on some features to achieve a lower price and successfully compete with Google’s older $100 Nest Hub, Amazon’s $180 Echo Show 8, and $180 Echo Hub.
What advantages does the Apple smart home have over competitors?
Apple’s smart home platform has a leg up on the competition in many categories that may bring loyal users around to the idea of a smart home hub.
Also: Apple’s iOS 26.6.1 patches 29 security flaws – here’s why you’ll want to install it
iPhone users comprise the majority of smartphone market share in the US, which makes it easier for Apple to leverage brand trust and ecosystem lock-in. Like the rest of the company’s current hardware lineup, a new Apple smart home device would integrate seamlessly with existing Apple products, which simplifies the fragmented smart home space for users.
Many consumers also appreciate Apple’s privacy-first branding, which is a big differentiator from other smart home giants like Google and Amazon.
How was this information leaked?
Leaks like these don’t happen often. Apple is not one to accidentally (or “accidentally on purpose”) release information about devices before their hardware events.
The information came to light when Apple released MacOS Tahoe 26.7 to developers earlier this week. The operating system featured internal hardware identifiers, code names, and feature flags that essentially tell MacOS which hardware it supports and what it runs on.
Also: Apple is warning users of new spyware attacks – what to do if you’re a target
These hardware leaks are not uncommon in software build releases, but Apple is notoriously careful to obscure any revealing references that might point to unreleased devices.
However, just because devices are referenced in a software build doesn’t mean that they are guaranteed to be released, what Apple will name them, or when they will launch. This leak only indicates that these hardware projects either exist or existed at some point.
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