Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate, and the code inside reveals a massive hardware roadmap for the next two years. This update matters because it confirms the specific model numbers and release windows for devices buyers will likely encounter in stores. We now have concrete evidence of what Apple is building next.
Code analysis confirms model numbers for next year's iPhone and Mac refresh
The operating system code points to a refreshed MacBook Pro lineup featuring an OLED touchscreen and a new chassis design. Codenames K114c, K114s, K116c, and K116s identify these new display configurations. Apple is also introducing a 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the Apple M6 chip, identified by code J804. The source notes that MacBook Pro and MacBook Ultra share some of these identifiers, making their exact product separation unclear.
Apple is preparing new iMac models with codes J833 and J833, alongside an updated iPad mini with codes J510 and J511. The iPhone 18 series will arrive first, with the standard iPhone 18 (V67), iPhone 18 Pro (V63), iPhone 18 Pro Max (V64), and iPhone Ultra (V68) expected in September 2026. A thinner iPhone Air 2 (V62) will follow in the spring of 2027. The iPad mini is rumored to feature an OLED display and the Apple A19 Pro chip.
Accessories and smart home devices are also in the pipeline. The source identifies code B790 as referring to AirPods with cameras, though this remains a rumor. We also see references to AirPods Pro 4, two new Beats headphones (B518, B522), and a HomePod mini (B525). A new Apple TV 4K remote carries the code ATVRemote1.5. Apple is developing a smart home hub with codes J490 and J491 that runs an internal operating system called Pebble. A smart home camera with code J229 is also listed.
We touched on Apple cancels M6 Pro and Max in our earlier Apple coverage, which provides context for the current MacBook lineup shifts. The source mentions a potential Vision VR headset with code N109, but notes it might not hit the market for several years. This suggests Apple is spreading its hardware development across multiple product categories simultaneously.
The macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate serves as the final preview before the general rollout. It acts as a comprehensive catalog of Apple's upcoming hardware strategy. Buyers can expect new Macs, iPhones, and accessories to hit the market starting in September 2026.
Source: NotebookCheck
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