Apple Gears Up for 2026: New Product Lineup and F1 Broadcast Ambitions in the Pipeline

Apple Inc. (AAPL) recently experienced a market dip, with its stock falling by 0.59% last week, 1.12% over the past week, and 15.51% year-to-date, bringing its latest valuation to approximately $3.153 trillion. The tech giant has faced fluctuating demand, especially post-pandemic, which has affected sales momentum for products like iPads. However, Apple is gearing up to launch a series of ambitious new products aiming to revive its growth trajectory.

Insider reports suggest Apple's upcoming product lineup scheduled for early 2026 includes new low-end iPhones, several iPad models, and upgraded Mac computers. The iPhone 17e is expected to be a continuation of their affordable smartphone series, launching as an enhanced successor to the previously introduced $599 model from earlier this year.

Apple is working on updating its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, although their initial release planned for 2025 might be deferred to 2026. The new product initiatives come as Apple seeks to maintain its growth momentum following this fall's iPhone releases, addressing the slowed introduction of new iPads amid fluctuating demand.

Spring 2026 is reportedly set for Apple's traditional upgrade cycle, where new ultrathin iPhones, redesigned Pro models, entry-level and high-end Apple Watches, upgraded iPad Pros, and powerful Vision Pro headsets will debut.

The upcoming iPad releases, including the entry-level model (known internally as J581/J582) and iPad Air (under codes J707/J708/J737/J738), are positioned to quickly iterate post the March release last year. They are expected to retain their design while incorporating faster chips, with the entry-level version set to substitute the existing $349 iPad using the 2022-introduced A16 processor.

The new iPad Air will see an upgrade from the M3 to the M4 chip with minimal other changes anticipated, scheduled to launch alongside low-end models. Since the 13-inch version was launched in 2024, there has been significant demand due to its iPad Pro quality screen coupled with a consumer-friendly price around $800, appealing to individuals, businesses, and educational institutions alike.

The iPad Pro series is poised for its earliest upgrade by October this year, incorporating the M5 chip (with codes J817/J818/J820/J821) priced from $999, missing updates since May last year.

The iPhone 17e will inherit the A19 processor from this year's 17 series, initially slated for release early next year, marking a strategic update cadence adjustment of Apple's entry-level iPhones akin to annual improvements, diverging from the former SE line's less frequent updates.

Apple had anticipated introducing M5 chip-equipped 14/16 inch MacBook Pros (codes J714/J716) later this year, but now targets an early next-year unveiling, thereby extending the current sale phase beyond the typical duration. The timeline, however, remains variable as new MacBook Pros generally hit the market in October-November, except the M2 version released in January 2023.

The enabled MacBook Pro M5 version is dubbed the last of the 2021-established design, set for a shell redesign and OLED screen transition subsequently, a high contrast display technology applied within 2017 iPhones and 2024 iPad Pros.

Next year's first half is marked for the launch of a new MacBook Air series (internal names J813/J815) and an external display (under code J427), the latter anticipated as Apple's first since the 2022 Studio Display.

Beyond flagship revisions, Apple is advancing a smart home control center (known internally as J490). Initially scheduled for March this year but delayed due to reliance on overdue Siri voice functions, an early 2026 introduction is now probable.

Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire F1 sports broadcasting rights in the U.S. following the success of their blockbuster F1 film, aiming to leverage this momentum in expanding influence within the sports broadcasting realm.

The F1 movie marks Apple's significant achievement since venturing into original content creation, reaching approximately $300 million in worldwide ticket sales, aligning its content strategy towards mainstream commercial cinema, contrasting previous lesser-expected films like 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and 'Napoleon.'

F1’s owner Liberty Media anticipates this movie complements Netflix’s documentary 'Drive to Survive' by attracting younger, female, and U.S.-based viewers to enhance broadcast rights value.

Current F1-U.S. broadcast contracts, held by ESPN from Disney, generating about $85 million annual revenue are set to expire next year, with competition to secure rights beyond 2026 notably including Netflix.

Apple's bid signals ambition to reinforce live sports streaming sector advancement, previously initiated with 2022 MLB Friday night games and extended MLS collaborative agreements.

Elsewhere, Apple COO Jeff Williams is set to retire, ushering notable leadership change amid challenging times for the iPhone manufacturer while Apple tackles operational concerns including shifting iPhone production from China to India amid tariff challenges. Sabih Khan is poised to succeed Williams, amidst internal discussions surrounding senior management transitions and regulatory pressures from EU and U.S. authorities.