Here’s what to expect from Apple in January

As my colleague Ryan detailed last month, Apple has more than 20 products likely launching in 2026. The festivities could begin as soon as this month. Here’s everything to expect from Apple in January.

January could kick off a busy year of new Apple products

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro

Apple released the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by M5 in October, but the higher-end models were nowhere to be found. That is expected to change as soon as this month.

There are new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models on the way powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Other than that boost in performance, we aren’t expecting major changes. The big MacBook Pro overhaul is set for the end of the year or in early 2026.

MacBook

Apple is working on a brand new addition to the Mac lineup that rumors say could launch as soon as this month: a cheaper MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip.

That’s the same chip as the iPhone 16 Pro. This would mark the first time that Apple has used an iPhone-class processor in the Mac. The machine is expected to cost “well under $1,000” and feature a 12.9-inch screen. Ming-Chi Kuo has said “potential casing colors include silver, blue, pink, and yellow.”

More hardware in the works

While I’m relatively confident we’ll see the MacBook and high-end MacBook Pro updates as soon as January, there are a handful of other hardware updates in Apple’s pipeline.

Throughout Q1, we’re expecting the M5 MacBook Air, new iPad Air, and new base model iPad. History suggests these won’t be announced until March, though. Apple is also working on a new Mac mini and Mac Studio for the middle of this year. The iPhone 17e is also in the pipeline, likely for February.

And of course, the elephants in the room at this point are the new AirTag and new Apple TV. These updates have been rumored for so long at this point it’s anyone’s guess as to when they’ll actually ship.

Again, my colleague Ryan has an excellent, in-depth roundup of all the new products Apple is likely to release in 2026. There’s a lot coming soon.

New software

iOS 26.3

Apple is also working on software updates that will likely debut this month. iOS 26.3 entered beta testing last month, and history suggests it will be released to everyone in January.

iOS 26.3 isn’t a major update for iPhone users, but there are a couple of changes worth highlighting:

• A new interoperability system for switching between iPhone and Android, and taking your data with you.
• EU changes: Notification Forwarding, proximity pairing, and more for third-party accessories like smartwatches and headphones.

For context, iOS 18.3 was released on January 27, while iOS 17.3 was released on January 22.

Other software updates

In addition to iOS 26.3, Apple is working on software updates for its other platforms that will be released this month:

• macOS 26.3
• tvOS 26.3
• iPadOS 26.3
• watchOS 26.3
• visionOS 26.3

These updates focus primarily on bug fixes and performance improvements. There aren’t any major new features for users.

Wrap up

What are you most excited to see from Apple in January? Do you have your eye on buying any new hardware? Let us know down in the comments.

Must-have MagSafe accessories for your iPhone: 

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