Apple could launch a smart home IP camera in 2026

• News

Apple could enter a new segment in 2026 with the launch of a smart home IP camera. The company is seemingly looking to start mass production two years from now.

Like other Apple devices, the IP camera will seamlessly integrate with other devices in Apple’s ecosystem.

Apple takes a long time to enter a new product category. When it does, the product is notably better than the competition. It also stands out for its deep integration with other Apple products. This year, the company launched the Vision Pro, its first product in a new category in years. The next big Apple product will seemingly be a smart home IP camera.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple’s smart home camera is set for mass production in 2026. Grotek will apparently exclusively assemble the product. This is the first time rumors of Apple working on a smart home camera have popped up.

The camera will connect to other Apple devices wirelessly. In the long term, the Cupertino company expects to ship over 10 million units yearly. The analyst believes the “user experience will be significantly enhanced by Apple’s great ecosystem and deep integration with Apple Intelligence and Siri.”

Google and Amazon are the two major tech giants in the smart home IP camera market. The former sells its devices under the Nest branding, while Amazon forayed into the market with its Ring acquisition.

Future AirPods to feature health tracking

In a note published on Medium, Kuo says Apple is focusing on health management features for the next AirPods. This will help boost AirPods’ growth in the future, increasing its shipments from 48 million in 2023 to 65-68 million in 2026.

Rumors about Apple working on health tracking features for AirPods, like steps tracking and heart rate measurement, have been circulating for years now. A recent report even claimed that Apple might launch AirPods with IR cameras in 2025.

Like the smart home IP camera, Grotek will be Apple’s primary supplier for future AirPods. By securing orders for two key Apple products, Kuo believes Grotek’s business will receive a significant boost in 2025 and the years after that.