Apple to Expand into Smart Home Camera Market by 2026

Apple is preparing to expand its product portfolio by entering the smart home camera market in 2026, marking a significant competitive step into a sector currently led by Amazon and Google. Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known supply chain analyst, reports that Apple aims to produce millions of smart cameras annually, signaling its ambition to secure a prominent position in the smart home industry.

Apple’s planned smart security camera will likely offer deep integration with the company’s ecosystem, employing Siri and Apple Intelligence for enhanced functionality. Analysts observe that this move underscores Apple’s commitment to bolstering its smart home offerings, positioning it to challenge Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest, which have already leveraged AI to provide advanced monitoring features. Apple, however, appears poised to differentiate its product through proprietary technology and ecosystem cohesion, potentially delivering a unique user experience not seen with competitors.

The anticipated Apple-designed camera may serve purposes beyond surveillance, aligning closely with other Apple smart home devices like the HomePod and Apple TV. Users may be able to stream live footage directly to an Apple TV or use a HomePod as a central hub for video storage and analysis. This ecosystem-driven approach not only enhances Apple’s product integration but may also incentivize hardware sales by delivering seamless functionality.

Moreover, Apple could leverage its HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV) service, already included in select iCloud plans, for subscription-based revenue. This service enables secure footage storage with coverage tailored to various subscription tiers. Currently, HKSV is supported only by select third-party cameras, such as those from Eve and Logitech, but an Apple-branded camera would strengthen its ecosystem, potentially giving users greater convenience and security under a unified Apple experience. In contrast, competitors like Ring and Arlo provide their video storage and alert services through separate subscriptions, often outside of an integrated ecosystem.

Beyond the smart camera, Apple is also rumored to be working on additional smart home devices. Reports indicate a plan to launch a new smart display next year, combining a speaker similar to the HomePod with a touchscreen, challenging Amazon’s Echo Show. This device could enable tasks like setting timers and displaying recipes. Additionally, Apple is reportedly developing a more advanced display featuring a robotic arm designed to follow user movement across a room.

Apple’s broader ambitions are reflected in its ongoing commitment to the Matter standard, aimed at enhancing compatibility and security across smart home products, further bolstering its entry into first-party smart home hardware. Kuo notes Apple’s high production targets, indicating a strong market entry focus. While Apple’s specific competitive differentiators remain under wraps, industry speculation suggests that incorporating Apple silicon could provide unique functionalities unavailable in existing market offerings.