According to a new report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is preparing to enter the smart home camera market with a smart doorbell featuring Face ID, expected to launch in late 2025.
The upcoming device would expand Apple’s smart home ecosystem and compete with products from companies like Ring and Google Nest.
Face ID could unlock your door automatically
The biggest highlight of Apple’s rumored smart doorbell is Face ID-based door unlocking.
The system would:
- Scan a user’s face when they approach the door
- Verify identity using Face ID technology
- Automatically unlock the door if the user is recognized
To handle these tasks, Apple is reportedly developing its own wireless networking chip called Proxima, which would allow Face ID processing to happen locally on the device rather than sending images to the cloud.
This approach aligns with Apple’s focus on privacy and on-device processing.
iCloud integration for security footage
The smart doorbell is also expected to integrate with iCloud for storing footage and backups.
Possible features include:
- Secure video storage
- Event recording
- Remote viewing from iPhone or other Apple devices
This could also help Apple increase iCloud subscription usage among smart home users.
Smart lock compatibility
It’s still unclear whether Apple will create its own smart lock or rely on third-party HomeKit-compatible locks.
Two possible scenarios include:
- Apple releasing its own integrated smart lock system
- Compatibility with existing HomeKit smart locks
The device is expected to support the Thread (networking protocol) smart home standard, which is designed for faster and more reliable communication between smart devices.
Apple smart home hub also coming
The smart doorbell may launch alongside a new Apple smart home hub, similar to:
- Google Nest Hub
- Amazon Echo Hub
Apple’s hub is rumored to feature:
- 6-inch touchscreen display
- A new custom operating system
- Apple Intelligence integration
- FaceTime support
- Smart home control dashboard
More Apple home devices expected
In addition to the smart doorbell and hub, Apple is also rumored to release updated versions of:
- Apple TV
- HomePod mini
These updates could further strengthen Apple’s connected home ecosystem.
Development status
According to the report, the Apple smart doorbell is still in early development, so the final design and features could change before its expected 2025 launch.
If it arrives as planned, it would mark Apple’s first dedicated smart doorbell product, bringing Face ID security directly to the front door.
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