Apple’s big September 9 launch event is just days away. We’re expecting the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3. But beyond these near-locks, what other new products might Apple launch? Here are the five biggest wildcards that could make an appearance based on rumors.
AirTag 2
September 9 launch: Likely
Out of all the wildcard products in the pipeline, AirTag 2 seems especially likely to launch next week.
Apple’s original AirTag launched in 2021, and we’ve been expecting its successor to debut throughout much of 2025.
All signs point to AirTag 2 being imminent, and it makes a lot of sense for the September event because Apple largely markets AirTag as an iPhone accessory.
September events are always primarily about the newest iPhones, but Apple tends to also launch products that fit that ‘iPhone accessory’ description—such as Apple Watch and AirPods. That makes AirTag 2 highly likely to make an appearance next week.
Apple TV 4K with A17 Pro
September 9 launch: Possible, but unlikely
It’s been three years since the last Apple TV 4K debuted, and new hardware is almost here.
The new Apple TV 4K is expected to boast an A17 Pro chip, which should enable Apple Intelligence support.
Bloomberg says the new hardware will ship by the end of the year. That might mean an October debut, perhaps alongside some AI features being announced for tvOS 26.1.
I suspect the iPhone 17 event will be too packed to fit in new Apple TV hardware. But if Apple decides to use the event to promote Apple TV+ and its big fall lineup, then maybe we’ll see the new Apple TV 4K too.
HomePod mini 2
September 9 launch: Possible, but unlikely
HomePod mini 2 is also coming by the end of the year, per Bloomberg. Overall, the HomePod is a fairly minor product in Apple’s lineup. So it doesn’t necessarily need much event time to properly launch.
However, I expect Apple will pair the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 in its presentation as a way to promote ‘Apple Home’ products.
In that case, HomePod mini 2’s launch depends a lot on when Apple wants to highlight its latest Apple TV hardware. If that’s in September alongside an Apple TV+ promo, then I’ll bet we see HomePod mini 2 at the same time.
More likely though, Apple will save its new Home products for an October launch since September will already have four new iPhones, three Apple Watch models, and AirPods Pro 3.
M5 iPad Pro
September 9 launch: Unlikely
Apple has at times launched new iPad hardware in September, and at other times it’s waited until October.
This year, the new M5 iPad Pro is unlikely to debut any sooner than October.
That’s because it’s expected to be the first product with the new M5 chip. And Apple always likes to take extra time to highlight silicon advancements when it can.
I can’t imagine an in-depth M5 presentation and new iPad Pro hardware will fit into an already packed September event. More likely, we’ll see the new iPad Pro launch some time in October.
New Vision Pro
September 9 launch: Unlikely
Finally, Apple is also expected to ship new Vision Pro hardware this fall.
There are conflicting reports on the Vision Pro 2’s chip, and that chip might have an impact on release timing.
Ming-Chi Kuo says it will have a new M5 chip, in which case it will almost certainly debut at the same time as the M5 iPad Pro—thus, October is more likely.
Mark Gurman, however, believes the new chip will be an M4. In that case, Apple could potentially fit a short Vision Pro segment into its September event.
I’m inclined to think the new Vision Pro will have an M5 chip, so my best guess is that we’ll see it arrive in October alongside the M5 iPad Pro.
Which of these new products do you expect to see Apple launch on September 9? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Source link
