Why you shouldn’t count on any new merchandise at subsequent week’s Apple occasion

Apple’s annual WWDC keynote is simply across the nook. The occasion is greatest often known as the place the place Apple unveils what’s subsequent for its software program and working methods. In any case, WWDC is a developer convention. Even so, yearly there’s hope that we’ll see new {hardware} unveiled on the occasion, and Apple has delivered every now and then.

This yr, nevertheless, the story is totally different. Though there was no official affirmation from Apple, there’s robust proof that the corporate gained’t introduce any new merchandise till this fall. The rationale? A mixture of a shifting roadmap, delayed options, and RAM shortages.

At first look, which will sound disappointing. However when you have a look at Apple’s present product lineup, the timing of latest releases, and the corporate’s roadmap for the remainder of the yr, the technique really makes excellent sense.

Historical past of latest {hardware} at WWDC

WWDC is basically a software program occasion. Yearly, Apple publicizes a brand new model of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and, extra lately, visionOS, and releases new instruments, APIs, and betas to builders.

Often, the occasion additionally serves as a possibility to introduce new {hardware}. That’s as a result of new merchandise often include new software program or options that require some consideration from builders. And WWDC has been the stage for main bulletins previously.

In 2023, Apple unveiled the Imaginative and prescient Professional at WWDC. The product didn’t hit shops till the next February, however builders had been in a position to get their fingers on the visionOS working system nicely prematurely. The HomePod was additionally first unveiled at WWDC 2021, greater than six months forward of its launch.

WWDC has additionally been a spot for Apple to unveil new Macs. Most notably, merchandise reminiscent of the primary 15-inch MacBook Air, the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon Macs, and the redesigned cylindrical Mac Professional had been unveiled on the occasion. And Apple unveiled the M2 Extremely processor and the primary Apple silicon Mac Professional on the occasion in 2023 as nicely.

So, regardless that it’s a software program occasion, Apple has no qualms about utilizing it to showcase a few of its new merchandise to the world.

Apple has already launched loads this yr

One of many largest causes Apple doubtless gained’t announce {hardware} at WWDC is easy: it has already up to date most of its necessary units over the previous few months.

The yr kicked off with the AirTag 2, adopted by the up to date iPhone 17e that includes the A19 chip and MagSafe. The corporate then up to date the iPad Air with the M4 chip, and the M5 MacBook Air and M5 Professional/Max MacBook Professional. 

The Studio Show received a much-awaited improve with mini-LED and 120Hz, and the long-rumored MacBook Neo lastly noticed the sunshine of day. Even the AirPods Max received a March replace with an H2 chip to reinforce ANC and different sensible options.

That already leaves little room for main bulletins at this yr’s WWDC. As all the time, Apple isn’t anticipated to announce new iPhones or iPads till this fall, and the remaining Macs might be due for a longer-than-usual wait.

Element shortages are the largest challenge

Professional customers have additionally been ready for brand new Mac desktops, particularly now that the Mac Professional has been formally discontinued. Each the Mac mini and Mac Studio haven’t been up to date shortly and don’t function Apple’s newest chips. 

Nonetheless, given the worldwide scarcity of RAM, Apple could also be compelled to attend a bit of longer earlier than releasing any new Macs. Due to the RAM scarcity, Apple has already needed to discontinue a number of configuration choices for each of those Macs, together with the entry-level Mac mini mannequin with 256GB of storage. And the fashions which might be remaining have extraordinarily lengthy supply home windows.

IDG

Provided that the RAM scarcity isn’t anticipated to ease anytime quickly, it’s unlikely we’ll see new Macs at this yr’s WWDC.

As for iPads, the iPad Air was lately up to date, whereas the iPad Professional was refreshed with the M5 chip lower than a yr in the past. The entry-level iPad and the iPad mini have but to be up to date, however we count on this to occur this fall alongside the brand new iPhones quite than at WWDC.

In step with our expectations, Apple CFO Kevan Parekh hinted throughout a convention name with buyers earlier this month that there wouldn’t be an iPad product announcement this quarter, reporting that it will be a “troublesome comparability” for the iPad phase with the identical quarter final yr. Notably, Apple launched the M3 iPad Air and A16 iPad throughout this quarter in 2025.

In fact, Apple has reportedly been engaged on different new merchandise that might theoretically be introduced at WWDC 2026. However proof means that these merchandise aren’t but prepared for cargo for numerous causes.

One among them has been dubbed HomePad, rumored to be a sensible speaker that mixes a HomePod with a display the scale of an iPad mini. In line with analysts, the {hardware} has been prepared for fairly a while, however Apple has been holding off on the launch as a result of the product depends closely on the brand new model of Siri with Apple Intelligence, which has but to be launched to the general public.

It’s potential that Apple makes use of WWDC to preview the gadget forward of cargo later this yr, because it has previously, however all indicators level to a software-only present this yr.

Apple

AI is now the precedence

Greater than only a software program occasion, this yr’s WWDC is predicted to be one thing of a reboot for Apple Intelligence. Apple’s AI options had been first introduced in 2024, however the firm has but to ship on its largest promise: an AI-powered, revamped Siri.

In line with the newest rumors, Apple is certainly focusing all its efforts on delivering a bunch of recent Apple Intelligence options, with the software program set to be introduced at WWDC 2026.

And that’s an ideal factor. A lot of the {hardware} Apple has been engaged on will rely closely on AI. Not simply the HomePad, but additionally issues just like the rumored sensible glasses, sensible dwelling equipment, and AirPods with cameras. For these merchandise to change into a actuality, Apple wants to enhance Apple Intelligence first.

So when you won’t be capable of purchase something now, WWDC 2026 could find yourself being remembered not because the yr Apple launched a serious new platform, however because the yr it quietly ready its ecosystem for what comes subsequent.