Yearly, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, hypothesis about what new merchandise could arrive alongside all the large 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” sensible residence hub—however the actuality is, should you’re anticipating to see new {hardware} at WWDC 2025, you’re prone to be disenchanted.
WWDC is a software program occasion
Traditionally, WWDC is an occasion targeted virtually completely on software program. In any case, 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 additionally provides builders early entry to new APIs and frameworks. This allows them to start out optimizing their apps for the brand new platforms months forward of public releases.
Whereas there have been occasional {hardware} bulletins, comparable 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 had been tightly linked to developer wants.
This 12 months, rumors counsel that Apple has been engaged on new {hardware} merchandise that could possibly be match for WWDC, but it surely 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 degree, Apple has been engaged on a sensible residence hub with a built-in display for a number of years. The thought is to let customers simply management their HomeKit equipment, comparable to lamps, heaters, and robotic vacuum cleaners, even when their cellphone isn’t round. Whereas the precise identify of the gadget is unclear, stories declare it can mix points of the HomePod and iPad in a single product targeted on the sensible residence, so it’s been dubbed HomePad.
Apple is reportedly making a brand new sensible residence hub that mixes an iPad with a HomePod, but it surely’s seemingly not transport for some time.
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Together with the sensible residence capabilities, HomePad will reportedly additionally operate as an Apple TV-like leisure gadget so customers can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in digicam. Basically, it is going to be a house companion gadget 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 stories declare the venture is delayed, presumably till 2026. The primary purpose is because of a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the brand new Siri expertise, which have been beset with points.
It’s potential that Apple provides a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, because it did with HomePod and Imaginative and prescient Professional, however most stories say Apple is targeted on fixing Siri first.
M5 Macs and iPads: Not but
WWDC has been a sizzling spot for brand spanking 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. Apart from 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 sometimes 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 trade, 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 observe for the second half of 2025.
It’s potential that Apple unveils a brand new high-end chip for the growing older Mac Professional, however most stories declare that Apple will preserve the present mannequin round till the M5 Extremely arrives.
Might the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s unlikely.
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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 foremost causes is that the brand new iPhone all the time 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 should you’re planning to purchase an iPhone 17, you’ll have to attend till September a minimum of.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional 2: Perhaps subsequent 12 months
The primary Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional is decidedly a developer gadget. 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 principally a developer equipment.
The present Imaginative and prescient Professional is powered by the M2 chip, which some shoppers could contemplate 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 line with a report from The Info, Apple has reportedly put aside the Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 venture to work on a extra reasonably priced 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 a minimum of one other 12 months.
WWDC will seemingly be very software-centric this 12 months.
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What to anticipate as an alternative at WWDC 2025?
As soon as once more, this WWDC will probably be all about software program and providers, so count on main updates throughout all Apple platforms.
From iOS 19 to macOS 16 (or presumably 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 much like what Apple launched with visionOS, which has extra depth and shadows reasonably than a very flat interface.
Apple can also be rumored to be engaged on new options to make iPadOS extra much like macOS, in addition to additional bettering Apple Intelligence and the Siri expertise. So there will probably be a lot to get enthusiastic about at WWDC 2025, but it surely virtually actually received’t contain any new units.
WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with a gap keynote. Remember to observe Macworld’s full protection of the occasion.
