October 13th is not expected to be the only launch date. According to a report, Apple is planning another product launch in the last week of October, following the new home devices. The sources don't name any specific devices, but the information strongly suggests it will involve Macs.
The information comes from MacRumors, which cites several sources familiar with the plans. According to them, Apple intends to unveil further new products in the last week of October, in addition to the round of announcements on October 13th featuring the HomePad, new HomePod mini, and new Apple TV 4K. The sources themselves, according to the report, do not know which products these will be.
This further intensifies an already packed October. Apple has already set the dates for the iPhone Duo, meaning that the events of Apple's 2026 calendar are now concentrated in the second half of October.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple is expected to unveil additional products in the last week of October, in addition to the round on October 13th.
- Which products these are is not known; Macs are likely candidates, including the MacBook Ultra and an iMac with M6.
- Apple itself has already announced the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra and 512 GB of RAM for the end of October.
- The iPad mini 8 with OLED is also expected in October, but a specific date is not yet known.
- During the last week of October, the time difference between Germany and California is only eight hours instead of nine.
October at a glance
The new report suggests seven dates are being considered for the month. Apple has confirmed three of them; the rest are based on reports.
| Date | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| October 8 | Blocking period for incoming boxes at Apple Stores | report |
| October 13 | HomePad, new HomePod mini, new Apple TV 4K | report |
| October 16 | Pre-order iPhone Duo | announced by Apple |
| October 23 | iPhone Duo sales launch | announced by Apple |
| from October 26th | other products, presumably Macs | report |
| end of October | Mac Studio with M5 Ultra and 512 GB | announced by Apple |
| October, no appointment necessary | iPad mini 8 with OLED | report |
The release dates for the iPhone Duo are listed in Apple's announcement of the device. Additionally, boxes have arrived at Apple Stores, subject to an embargo until October 8th.
Which devices are eligible for the second round?
According to MacRumors, Macs are the most likely candidates. The MacBook Ultra with an OLED display is the frontrunner, having recently been described as significantly lighter than the current MacBook Pro; the MacBook Ultra overview summarizes all the latest reports. The report also mentions an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 processor and an iMac with an M6 processor, for which new colors are expected.
One date already fits the timeframe: Apple introduced the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra in August, but only announced the configuration with 512 GB of RAM for the end of October. This information comes from Apple itself and is therefore the only confirmed Mac release date for the month.
The iPad mini 8 with an OLED display is also expected in October. According to the report, it could be released on October 13th, alongside the Macs, or on a separate day.
How reliable is the report?
MacRumors cites multiple sources and mentions a specific timeframe, but not a single product. The list of possible Macs is derived from previous reports, without any indication of the sources. Therefore, the reliable information pertains to the timeframe, not the content.
Two precedents fit this timeframe. In 2023, Apple presented new MacBook Pro and the iMac with M3 in an evening presentation on October 30th; in 2024, Apple distributed the iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro with M4 over three days from October 28th to 30th via press releases.
Mac purchase and time in the last week of October
I expect Apple to handle the Mac announcements via press releases, as they did in 2024, and not schedule a second presentation after October 13th. This changes little for Mac buyers: Anyone currently considering a MacBook Pro or iMac will hardly lose anything by waiting three weeks and can then decide between the new model and its predecessor. Which Mac is generally the right fit for you can be found in the Mac buying guide.
Should Apple decide to stream, the time will change. In Germany, clocks are turned forward to winter time on October 25th, while in the US it's not until November 1st. Therefore, in the last week of October, the time difference to California is eight hours instead of nine – which is why the 2023 presentation started at 1 a.m. German time.
Are you waiting until the end of October to buy a Mac, or is October 13th the more exciting date for you? Let us know your prediction in the comments.
