Following the AirPods Max 2 launch, attention is now turning to potential M5 desktop Macs. However, April could be quieter than many hope.
April 2026 began with Apple's 50th birthday – a milestone the company celebrated with worldwide festivities, Tim Cook's open letter, and numerous media appearances. But beyond the anniversary, a more pressing question looms for many Apple fans: Will there be new hardware in April? The answer is more nuanced than one might expect.
AirPods Max 2 are finally here
The AirPods Max 2, announced in March, have been officially available since April 1st. While outwardly unchanged, the real innovation lies within: the H2 chip replaces the H1, bringing improved noise cancellation, adaptive audio, conversation recognition, and live translation. For those who want a detailed comparison of the differences to the predecessor, we offer a comprehensive overview.
M5 Desktop Macs: When will the Mac mini and Mac Studio be released?
The most intriguing question concerns Apple's desktop Macs. While MacBooks have already been upgraded to M5 chips, the Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Studio still use M4 processors. The Mac mini is particularly noticeable: the current model is barely available or completely sold out at numerous retailers – a classic sign of an impending update.
The Mac mini is likely to be the first in the lineup to receive an M5 upgrade. An update for the Mac Studio with the M5 Ultra is expected at WWDC in June, as Apple traditionally requires more development time for the Ultra variants. The situation with the iMac is unclear: Apple has skipped generations in the past (most recently the M2 iMac), so a direct jump to the M6 would be possible.
Whether one of these devices will be released in April or only at WWDC remains to be seen. Currently, attention is focused more on June.
Smart home products are waiting for Siri
Several long-awaited products appear to be technically ready, but are apparently being deliberately held back by Apple: a new Apple TV 4K, an updated HomePod mini, and the much-speculated smart home hub, often referred to internally as the "HomePad".
The reason for the delay lies not in the hardware, but in the software. All three devices are supposed to ship with a fundamentally redesigned version of Siri – but the announced AI improvements for Siri have now been postponed to the OS 27 updates this fall. This means these products are also likely to be released in the second half of the year.
iOS 26.5 remains unspectacular
The beta phase for iOS 26.5 and the associated updates for iPadOS, macOS, and other operating systems has been running since the end of March. So far, the update appears to be rather limited: expanded RCS encryption tests, ad support in Apple Maps, and minor adjustments. There is still no sign of the long-awaited new Siri – even in the beta. The final release is expected in early to mid-May.
New content on Apple TV and Apple Arcade
While there are no new hardware releases, Apple is delivering plenty of content. Apple TV will launch in April with titles including the second season of "Your Friends and Neighbors" starring Jon Hamm, the dark comedy "Outcome" with Keanu Reeves, and several new series and films.
Apple Arcade will release new titles at the beginning of the month, including "Dredge+" – an atmospheric Lovecraft-inspired fishing game that already enjoys a high reputation outside the Apple ecosystem – and "Unpacking+", a popular cozy game about furnishing new homes.
Apple in April: A quiet month with a view to summer
April 2026 is clearly overshadowed by the 50th anniversary and the anticipation for WWDC in June. New hardware is possible – especially for the Mac mini – but not guaranteed. The really big announcements, including new desktop Macs, the revamped Siri, and possibly a first look at iOS 27, will most likely be presented at the developer conference. For anyone waiting to make concrete purchasing decisions, patience until June should pay off. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Drawbot / DepositPhotos.com)
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- Apple AI Pin: All the info on the new wearable
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- Apple is reportedly preparing six new products
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- AirPods Max 2: All audio improvements at a glance
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