Apple is about to turn 50.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Apple plans to unveil several important devices such as the iPhone 18 and MacBook Pro M6, although challenges remain surrounding the market and competitors.

An advertisement for the iPhone 17 Pro is displayed at a subway station in Shanghai, China. Photo: Bloomberg .

In Bloomberg 's Power On report, analyst Mark Gurman lists the products and services Apple is expected to launch in 2026, the year marking the company's 50th anniversary.

"Apple is heading into one of its most important years in recent times," Gurman emphasized. Apple's projects range from hardware and software to executive personnel changes.

Hardware lineup in 2026

April 1, 2026 marks Apple's 50th anniversary. According to Gurman, the company will launch a series of products to celebrate this milestone.

Rumored Apple devices set to launch early next year include the iPhone 17e, an iPad with the A18 chip, and an iPad Air with the M4 chip. Additionally, there's the rumored M5 version of the MacBook Air, while the MacBook Pro will add M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options, along with several new external displays.

Next, Apple is expected to enter the smart home market in March and April with the launch of smart speaker and wall-mounted displays. These devices were rumored to appear earlier this year, but were delayed due to the incomplete development of the new Siri version.

“The launch of the display marks a new step for Apple in upgrading its AI services through the new version of Siri. This lays the groundwork for a broader smart home monitoring ecosystem, including security cameras expected to launch in late 2026,” Gurman wrote.

An advertisement for the iPhone 17 Pro is displayed outside an Apple store. Photo: Bloomberg .

Regarding software, Apple is expected to introduce iOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27, and other operating systems at the WWDC conference in June. A Bloomberg writer suggests the company will unveil a new AI strategy and significantly improve its Apple Intelligence suite before upgrading the iPhone later this year.

By September, users can expect the first-generation foldable iPhone. Additionally, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to ditch the Qualcomm modem, switching to Apple's own C2 chip. The next-generation iPad mini is also likely to launch around this time.

Another highly anticipated device is smart glasses. According to Gurman, several suppliers have already produced small trial runs of the glasses. This suggests the product could well be launched by the end of next year.

By the end of the year, Apple is expected to significantly improve the MacBook Pro. In addition to the M6 ​​Pro and M6 Max chips, the devices will feature thinner bezels and a touchscreen display with an OLED panel. Finally, the Mac mini and Mac Studio M5 are also models to look forward to.

Difficulties abound.

According to Gurman, 2026 is also a decisive year for Apple legally, potentially impacting the current App Store business model. Even if the judge rules that the contract between Apple and Google remains valid, the rise of AI browsers could still raise concerns.

Tariff instability is also a concern for many companies. Currently, the impact on Apple is not too significant, with the company only suffering a few billion dollars in related losses. However, since the majority of iPhones and products in general are still manufactured in China, the impact next year could be greater.

A Bloomberg writer points to a positive outlook for Apple in 2026. The company expects fourth-quarter 2025 revenue to increase by 10-12% year-on-year, nearly double the forecast of Wall Street analysts.

That figure is equivalent to $137-$139 billion . If accurate, it would be the first quarter in which Apple's revenue exceeded $140 billion . Apple also confidently stated that the fourth quarter of 2025 is expected to see the highest iPhone sales and revenue in history.

Despite optimistic business forecasts, Gurman noted that Apple still faces many challenges. The new version of Siri is expected to use Google's Gemini model, adding web search capabilities. However, it's uncertain whether users will embrace the new feature, not to mention its stability and ability to fix problems in the old version.

An Apple store. Photo: Bloomberg .

"Apple is also lagging behind in the smart home wave. It remains unclear whether the company can overtake Google or Amazon, names that have spent years building smart home ecosystems," the Bloomberg writer added.

Foldable iPhones also launched later than their competitors. Profitability and widespread user acceptance remain questionable. The failure of the Vision Pro is seen as a lesson for Apple.

Changes in leadership also present a significant challenge, revolving around shifts in strategy and product development plans.

"People with fresh perspectives can be good, but internal change often initiates a period of instability," Gurman added.

Despite the challenges, Apple still possesses a solid scale, financial resources, and brand strength.

“Apple still has the resources to shape the era of AI, smart home technology, and foldable devices. 2026 will be the year that determines whether Apple can pursue its plans with the speed and precision expected,” Gurman emphasized.

Source: https://znews.vn/apple-co-gi-de-ky-niem-50-nam-post1599593.html