Yearly, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, hypothesis about what new merchandise might arrive alongside all the massive 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 house hub—however the actuality is, if you happen to’re anticipating to see new {hardware} at WWDC 2025, you’re more likely to be disillusioned.
WWDC is a software program occasion
Traditionally, WWDC is an occasion targeted virtually fully on software program. In spite of everything, 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 permits them to begin optimizing their apps for the brand new platforms months forward of public releases.
Whereas there have been occasional {hardware} bulletins, corresponding to the unique HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the primary take a look at the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional in 2023, these moments had been tightly linked to developer wants.
This yr, rumors recommend that Apple has been engaged on new {hardware} merchandise that may very well be an excellent match for WWDC, however it doesn’t appear like they’ll be prepared in time for this yr’s occasion. Right here’s why.
HomePad: Delayed
In an effort to take HomeKit to the subsequent stage, Apple has been engaged on a wise house hub with a built-in display screen for a number of years. The thought is to let customers simply management their HomeKit equipment, corresponding to lamps, heaters, and robotic vacuum cleaners, even when their telephone isn’t round. Whereas the precise identify of the gadget is unclear, reviews declare it’ll mix points of the HomePod and iPad in a single product targeted on the sensible house, so it’s been dubbed HomePad.
Apple is reportedly making a brand new sensible house hub that mixes an iPad with a HomePod, however it’s seemingly not delivery for some time.
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Together with the sensible house capabilities, HomePad will reportedly additionally perform as an Apple TV-like leisure gadget so customers can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in digital camera. Primarily, it will likely 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, latest reviews declare the undertaking is delayed, presumably till 2026. The primary cause is because of a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the brand new Siri expertise, which have been beset with points.
It’s attainable that Apple provides a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, because it did with HomePod and Imaginative and prescient Professional, however most reviews say Apple is concentrated on fixing Siri first.
M5 Macs and iPads: Not but
WWDC has been a sizzling spot for brand spanking new Macs in recent times, 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. Excluding 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 yr with the iPad Professional.
In concept, this might imply that Apple will transfer onto the subsequent technology of chips at WWDC, however don’t depend on it. Apple sometimes unveils the primary new Macs with the subsequent technology of chips within the fall, round October and November. And based on a number of sources within the trade, this would be the case as soon as once more this yr. A brand new iPad Professional with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Professional are mentioned to be on monitor for the second half of 2025.
It’s attainable that Apple unveils a brand new high-end chip for the ageing Mac Professional, however most reviews declare that Apple will hold the present mannequin round till the M5 Extremely arrives.
Might the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s not going.
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iPhone 17: Coming in September
Though previously Apple has launched new iPhone fashions at WWDC, it’s been greater than a decade since an iPhone mannequin debuted on the occasion. In addition to, the iPhone 16e solely simply arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September.
One of many primary 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 telephone. So if you happen to’re planning to purchase an iPhone 17, you’ll have to attend till September no less than.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional 2: Perhaps subsequent yr
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 mainly a developer package.
The present Imaginative and prescient Professional is powered by the M2 chip, which some customers might think about 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 yr.
In line with a report from The Info, Apple has reportedly put aside the Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 undertaking to work on a extra reasonably priced model of its blended actuality headset, however that mannequin isn’t anticipated to ship for some time both. So whereas we’ll get a take a look at the brand new visionOS software program, the identical {hardware} is probably going sticking round for no less than one other yr.
WWDC will seemingly be very software-centric this yr.
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What to anticipate as an alternative at WWDC 2025?
As soon as once more, this WWDC shall be all about software program and companies, so anticipate main updates throughout all Apple platforms.
From iOS 19 to macOS 16 (or presumably iOS 26 and macOS 26), Apple’s working techniques shall be up to date with a brand new, extra fashionable interface. Sources consider that the brand new design language shall be just like what Apple launched with visionOS, which has extra depth and shadows relatively than a very flat interface.
Apple can be rumored to be engaged on new options to make iPadOS extra just like macOS, in addition to additional enhancing Apple Intelligence and the Siri expertise. So there shall be lots to get enthusiastic about at WWDC 2025, however it virtually definitely gained’t contain any new gadgets.
WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with a gap keynote. Remember to observe Macworld’s full protection of the occasion.
