Apple Planning $350 Smart Display (2026) and Robotic Desktop Device (2027), Manufactured in Vietnam

According to a report by Bloomberg News, Apple is planning a smart display with a 7-inch LCD screen and a built-in FaceTime camera for release in 2026, followed by a desktop robotic device in 2027 manufactured in Vietnam. The display is described as the central hub of the modern home, with a dynamically adapting operating system and a more capable version of Siri designed to offer contextual, AI-like answers.

Two models are planned: the J940, combining a display with a HomePod mini–style speaker, and the J491, designed for wall mounting, with a target price reportedly around $350. The desktop robot would mount the smart display on a motorised arm and feature a larger 9-inch display, but development has reportedly faced engineering challenges related to the motor system. All three devices are to be produced in Vietnam, marking a notable shift from Apple’s Chinese manufacturing for first-generation products. The piece notes that potential trade tensions could reinforce Apple’s diversification of production bases.