Six iPhones and more: Apple's product year Apfelpatient

Apple has a jam-packed fall ahead – but the real highlight might not come until a year later. According to recent statements from a well-connected industry insider, 2027 would be the most ambitious hardware year in the company's history. Six new iPhones, two new AI wearables, and a major Mac overhaul are expected to coincide.

More than 15 new products are expected this fall alone – from iPhones and Macs to accessories. Nevertheless, 2027 could surpass this number. This is made possible by Apple's two-stage release strategy, in which the standard models are launched in the first half of the year and the Pro devices in the fall – a practice that Android manufacturers are now also considering adopting. This results in more concentrated launch dates throughout the year, and the list of expected devices is correspondingly long.

The announcement: the biggest product year in the company's history

The impetus came from Mark Gurman, Apple reporter for Bloomberg, during an appearance on the TBPN show. There, he ranked 2027 as the biggest product year in the company's history. This assessment is naturally subjective and difficult to quantify. However, the sheer number of devices rumored to be on the roadmap for that year is certainly noteworthy – and makes this prediction at least plausible.

Six iPhones in a single year

2027 could be the first year in which Apple releases six new iPhone models within twelve months. Reports indicate they would be released in two waves:

Time frame	Expected models
Spring 2027	iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18, iPhone 18e
Autumn 2027	iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, iPhone Ultra 2

What stands out is the jump in numbering for the Pro devices: while the standard models would follow the logic of previous years, the Pro variants are set to jump straight to "20." With the iPhone Ultra 2, the second generation of the foldable flagship would also be due, whose first edition is already extensively outlined through leaks and reports.

The rimless anniversary model as the highlight

The real highlight is expected to be the Pro models in the fall of 2027. That year marks the 20th anniversary of the first iPhone, and Apple is rumored to be celebrating with a particularly striking design. A fully curved display is being discussed, which, in prototypes tested so far, is said to appear almost borderless. However, Apple's overall plans for the 20th iPhone anniversary extend beyond just the display shape.

Two new AI wearables

Gurman's other reports include two new AI wearables slated for release this year. These would be AirPods with integrated cameras and the long-awaited Apple Glasses, about which rumors have recently intensified. Both devices would open up two entirely new product categories for Apple – and thus go far beyond a typical iPhone update.

A table robot for the smart home

There are also plans for significant developments in the smart home sector. Reports indicate that Apple is planning a desktop hub with a swiveling robotic arm – essentially a larger and more powerful version of the anticipated HomePad. These robotic plans are part of a series of recently delayed AI projects related to the Home Hub and Apple Glasses, whose timelines are likely closely tied to Apple's AI advancements.

New M6 hardware for Mac and iPad

On the Mac and iPad side, the next generation of chips is expected to set the standard in 2027. Several devices based on the M6 are anticipated, including a redesigned iPad Pro, a new MacBook Air, and likely other Macs. The exact release date for the MacBook Ultra remains uncertain; current rumors suggest a launch this fall, but a delay to 2027 is considered possible.

Apple Watch and other outstanding items

The year would be rounded out by new Apple Watch models, for which a new OLED technology with longer battery life is rumored. In addition, there are likely to be products that haven't even surfaced in the rumor mill yet – a common caveat with predictions that look so far into the future.

Why the record announcement is more than just a superlative

Whether 2027 will truly be the biggest product year in the company's history can only be reliably assessed in retrospect. What's remarkable is not so much the superlative itself, but the sheer breadth of potential releases: AirPods cameras and Apple's own glasses would introduce two new product categories, while the iPhone line would expand to six models and the entire Mac and iPad range would transition to a new chip generation. Should even a large portion of these devices materialize, Apple would face an unusually dense product cycle – with correspondingly high pressure on development, supply chain, and marketing. There's also a temporal aspect to consider: 2027 would be the first full calendar year under John Ternus, who will take over as CEO from Tim Cook on September 1, 2026 – such a broad hardware offering would thus simultaneously serve as an early calling card for the new leadership.

Apple's roadmap for 2027 is becoming clearer

It's still a mix of specific rumors and a pointed overall assessment. But the pieces – six iPhones, two AI wearables, a robot hub, and a broad M6 generation – are increasingly coming together to form a coherent picture. The coming months, as reports on the individual devices become more detailed, should bring more clarity. (Image: Shutterstock / edphi)