Apple is set to begin its 50th anniversary year with record revenue projections and a packed product roadmap. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company could deliver a nearly $140 billion holiday quarter while preparing major advancements in artificial intelligence, smart home devices, and foldable hardware — alongside internal transitions and growing regulatory pressures.
Record revenue forecast
Apple expects holiday-quarter revenue growth of around 10% to 12%, amounting to roughly $137 billion to $139 billion in sales. The forecast surpasses Wall Street expectations and positions Apple for its first-ever $140 billion quarter.
Fiscal first-quarter results are likely to be announced by late January or early February 2026. The company has already indicated that this period will mark its strongest quarter ever for overall revenue and iPhone shipments.
Regulatory and market challenges
Apple may face one of its toughest years on the regulatory front. Potential antitrust rulings could prompt changes to its App Store model, affecting revenue generated from developer transactions.
Although a judge recently ruled that Apple and Google can maintain their existing search agreement, the industry shift toward AI-powered searches could reduce Apple’s long-standing payment stream from Google.
Trade policy uncertainty also remains. While Apple has largely managed to contain the financial impact of U.S. tariffs to only a few billion dollars so far, its reliance on Chinese manufacturing keeps the risk of future disruptions high.
Product and software roadmap
Apple’s 50th year will see one of its most extensive product and software lineups in recent memory. Early 2026 is expected to bring several new devices, including:
- iPhone 17e
- Entry-level iPad with A18 chip
- iPad Air powered by the M4 processor
- MacBook Air with M5 chip
- MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
- Updated Mac monitors
The company also plans updates to the Mac mini and Mac Studio with M5 chips later in the year, followed by new MacBook Pro systems featuring M6 Pro and M6 Max processors, thinner chassis designs, and OLED touch displays modeled after the iPhone.
On the software side, Apple will introduce iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and other platform updates at WWDC 2026. These releases will expand Apple Intelligence across devices, integrating deeper AI-driven features and workflows. A new iPad mini is also in development, while the next iPad Pro refresh is expected in 2027.
Smart home and AI expansion
Around March to April 2026, Apple is expected to introduce its long-anticipated smart home lineup. The release will reportedly feature a smart display, available in speaker-based and wall-mounted variants.
This debut will align with the rollout of a redesigned Siri voice assistant, powered in part by Google’s Gemini AI model, offering improved contextual understanding and AI-based search capabilities.
These initiatives will form the foundation of Apple’s broader smart home ecosystem, which may expand later in the year to include home security devices such as cameras.
Foldable iPhone and next-gen hardware
Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market is expected to headline the year. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup will reportedly transition from Qualcomm modems to Apple’s in-house C2 connectivity chips, marking a major milestone in hardware independence.
Apple is also advancing work on smart glasses, with early production underway in overseas facilities. A preview or limited showcase of the device could appear before the end of 2026.
Leadership and execution challenges
Apple may undergo key executive changes during 2026, potentially reshaping how it develops and delivers products. Leadership transitions could introduce new perspectives, but may also bring temporary uncertainty.
The company continues to face strong competition in AI, smart home technology, and foldable devices — markets where Google, Amazon, and Samsung maintain solid leads. The limited adoption of the Vision Pro headset underscores the risks of entering new product categories late.
Outlook
Despite regulatory hurdles and competitive pressure, Apple enters its 50th year with unmatched financial strength, global reach, and product influence. The company’s ability to execute on its AI strategy, smart home platform, and foldable hardware will determine whether 2026 becomes another defining milestone or a test of its innovation pace.