Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that April will be a quiet month for new Mac hardware releases, with no major M5 Mac updates expected despite anticipation.
- The M5 Mac mini may arrive soon due to low M4 stock, while other products like Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini await Siri improvements coming in OS 27.
- Apple focuses on content instead, releasing new Apple TV+ shows including “Your Friends and Neighbors” season 2 and fresh Apple Arcade games like “Dredge+” this month.
The biggest Apple event in April is definitely the company’s 50th anniversary. We have a lot of features related to the event, which took place on April 1.
Other than the possibility of some M5 Mac refreshes, there’s not much else expected in April. The OS 26.5 updates will continue their beta tests, with a small chance of going into wide release late in the month. But we no longer expect any sort of Siri overhaul until the OS 27 releases later this year, leaving precious little in the OS 26 updates. There will be new Apple TV shows and Apple Arcade games, of course. But when it comes to new hardware, again, all eyes are now on WWDC in June rather than April or May.
New hardware releases
Though they were announced in March, the AirPods Max 2 only started to ship at the start of April. The new model takes the existing AirPods Max hardware (including the same colors) and upgrades the audio processor from the H1 to the H2, bringing with it some new features and improvements to noise cancellation.
However, there’s a lot of other hardware still rumored to arrive in the first half of 2026, any of which could arrive this month:
M5 Mac mini: Apple updated its M4 laptops to M5 processors, but its desktops still run M4 chips. The Mac mini is already low on stock or sold out everywhere, so it’s probably first in line to get an update.
M5 Ultra Mac Studio: Now that the Mac Pro is retired, the Mac Studio takes the crown as Apple’s fastest and most powerful desktop Mac. Apple is expected to update the current model with an M5 Ultra chip, which will bring a significant performance boost over the M3 Ultra. That might not arrive until WWDC, though.
M5 iMac: Like the other desktop Macs, the iMac also still has an M4 processor. However, Apple has skipped iMac generations before, most recently with the M2, so it’s possible it doesn’t get an update until the M6.
Other products are seemingly close to release, but are waiting on the new Siri: a new Apple TV 4K, new HomePod mini, and a smart home hub many are calling “HomePad.” All of these products are dependent on new Siri capabilities that are nearly two years late, and with all the new Siri features now seemingly bumped back to the OS 27 releases this fall, these products might sit on the back burner until the fall.
Apps and software updates
The beta testing period for iOS 26.5 (and other 26.5 releases) has begun, and still no sign of the new Siri, even in a limited capacity. There are very few new features in the OS 26.5 releases so far—more RCS encryption testing and support for ads in Maps—and we don’t have big expectations for the final release. It will most likely arrive in early May, though it could arrive in late April.
Services
Apple TV+
Here are the shows, series, and movies we expect to release on Apple TV+ in April. If you want to know what’s coming later, check our full guide to upcoming Apple TV+ content.
Your Friends and Neighbors (season 2): Jon Hamm is back to rob his rich neighbors in season 2. April 3
Outcome: A dark comedy starring Keanu Reeves as a hated celebrity trying to make amends for being so awful. April 10
Margo’s Got Money Troubles: A college dropout turns to camming when she needs money for her new baby. April 15
Criminal Record: A character-driven drama set in the heart of contemporary London. April 22
My Brother the Minotaur: When a minotaur raised by humans starts dreaming of his mythical past, he sets out on a wild adventure. April 29
Widow’s Bay: A horror-comedy about a sleepy island fishing town full of superstition and curses. April 29
Apple Arcade
Apple releases most Apple Arcade games on the first Friday of each month. Check our Apple Arcade FAQ for a full list of Apple Arcade games and more details on the service. Occasionally, games are released with no forewarning, but you’ll usually see next month’s releases listed in the Coming Soon section.
Dredge+: An absolutely fantastic Lovecraftian horror fishing game. April 2
HYKE: Northern Light(s): Top-down 2D pixel are RPG. April 2
My Very Hungry Caterpiller+: A colorful early education game for kids. Date
Unpacking+: A simple cozy game in which you unpack boxes to set up and decorate rooms. April 2
