Apple's multiple smart home products will debut next year, with Vietnam becoming a manufacturing base

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Apple (AAPL.US) is preparing to expand its manufacturing operations in Vietnam, which is part of its entry into the smart home market and reflects the company's ongoing efforts to reduce its reliance on China. According to insiders, Apple plans to launch a series of brand new home devices next year, including indoor security cameras and a display that can be used to control home appliances and serve as a home command center. Subsequently, a more advanced desktop robot will be released in 2027, equipped with motors and sensors for autonomous movement.

It is reported that the three products mentioned above will all be produced in Vietnam, marking a significant shift in Apple's production strategy for new product categories. In the past, Apple typically manufactured new devices in China first and then gradually expanded or shifted production to other regions.

For the upcoming home control center and subsequent robot project, Apple will collaborate with the Chinese company BYD. Although BYD is known for electric vehicles, it has played an increasingly important role in Apple's hardware supply chain in recent years. BYD will be responsible for the so-called "final assembly, testing, and packaging" phase, which involves assembling, testing, and preparing products for shipment to customers and retail stores. Insiders also indicated that Apple plans to expand iPad production with BYD in Vietnam.

Currently, the technology giant headquartered in Cupertino, California, has already produced some iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, Mac computers, and early versions of HomePods in Vietnam. This expansion highlights that Vietnam is becoming an important production base for Apple. As geopolitical tensions rise, tariff risks increase, and concerns about supply chain disruptions grow, Apple is gradually diversifying its supply chain and reducing its reliance on China.

However, moving production to Vietnam does not completely shield Apple from tariff impacts. According to the reciprocal tariff policy announced by the Trump administration on July 31, products imported from Vietnam will face a 20% tariff. Meanwhile, India has become an important base for Apple’s production of iPhones aimed at the U.S. market, while some Mac products are manufactured in Malaysia and Thailand.

It is reported that the hardware design for Apple's new home hub device—a square display of about 7 inches—was completed a year ago. The product was originally scheduled to be released in March 2025, coinciding with the launch of the new version of the Siri voice assistant. However, due to delays in the development of the underlying artificial intelligence software, Apple has also postponed the hardware launch. After canceling the release plans for June and October, Apple's current goal is to launch the device in the spring of 2026.

The new version of Siri is expected to be released in March next year, allowing users to obtain answers from the internet like using chatbots such as ChatGPT and to control in-app operations more accurately. This upgrade will enhance Siri's practicality in controlling home appliances, playing music, and communication in home scenarios.

The new home hub comes in two versions, code-named J490—where the display is mounted on a speaker base, resembling a HomePod mini with a screen; and code-named J491—designed for wall mounting. Development of this version concluded after the desktop version was completed. Both devices will be equipped with FaceTime cameras and an interactive interface that automatically adjusts based on user identity The system can recognize users close to the display, similar to the adaptive features of Amazon's latest Echo devices. Apple has set a pricing target of around $350 for this new device, which is about $50 higher than the full-sized HomePod and significantly above similar products from Amazon and Alphabet's Google.

Insiders have indicated that Apple's operations team is seeking to reduce manufacturing costs in order to achieve more competitive pricing for the initial launch or subsequent versions.

The indoor security camera, codenamed J450, is planned to be launched as early as the end of next year. Additionally, Apple is also planning to produce a desktop robot. This device resembles a home hub display but is mounted on a rotating electric mechanical arm, allowing the screen to move freely in the user's workspace or kitchen environment. The engineering challenges of the motor system are high, and Apple is also exploring AI application scenarios for such devices, which has led to delays in the release date, now expected to be about two years later.

Apple anticipates that the price of this product will be in the hundreds of dollars range, reflecting its high robotic component and R&D costs. It is reported that the project's origins can be traced back to Apple's shelved autonomous vehicle program, which included members focused on robotics technology.

Apple is also developing a robotic arm for manufacturing and exploring mobile robot solutions similar to Amazon Astro. In addition to having mobility features and a more conversational version of Siri, this desktop robot will be equipped with a display screen of about 9 inches, larger than the 7-inch screen of the home hub device. Both devices will use low-cost LCD panels provided by Tianma Microelectronics Co., rather than Apple's latest generation display technology