Leak Highlights
- Apple is reportedly developing a smart home doorbell that could feature its proprietary Face ID biometric technology.
- The device is said to be a potential surprise product for this year, separate from the iPhone 18 lineup.
- It is suggested to be part of Apple's deeper push into the smart home ecosystem, leveraging its security-focused hardware.
Disclaimer: All information in this article is based on leaks, rumors, and unverified sources. Details may change before official announcement. Do not make purchasing decisions based on leaked information.
Forget the iPhone for a second. The most interesting piece of hardware coming from Apple this year might just be the thing you hang by your front door. That's the gist of a new rumor, anyway. A report claims Apple is building a smart doorbell, and it's packing the company's most recognizable security tech: Face ID.
About This Leak
Here's where this story comes from. A publication called Stuff ran a report calling this an "industry rumor." That's a key detail. There are no leaked schematics here. No photos of prototype circuit boards. No part numbers from the supply chain. We don't even know who the original tipster is. That puts this firmly in the "interesting gossip" category. Stuff is a legit outlet, but without a named source with a track record, you've got to take this with a big grain of salt. It's a fun idea that makes sense for Apple's walled garden, but it's far from a sure thing.
The Core Rumor: A Face ID-Enabled Doorbell
So what's the actual claim? Apple is supposedly building a doorbell that uses Face ID. Your phone recognizes you. This thing would, in theory, recognize your friends, your family, the delivery person. It would then ping your phone with a specific alert, like "Mom is at the door," instead of just "motion detected." The rumor says it could arrive sometime in 2024 or 2025. Now, a quick reality check. Other sources, like those TikTok videos, are only talking about Face ID moving under the iPhone 18's display. They aren't talking about a doorbell at all. Those leaks just show Apple is still tweaking the core technology, which it would need to do for any new product.
Rumored Features and Design
We're in the dark on what this thing would actually look like. The rumor is all about the one big feature. You can make some educated guesses, though. It would have to live in the Home app. It would almost certainly use HomeKit Secure Video to encrypt your footage. You'd get alerts on your iPhone, Apple Watch, and maybe even the Vision Pro. But that's just us connecting dots based on how Apple usually operates. It's not a leak.
Potential Technical Hurdles
Putting Face ID outside is a whole different ball game. Think about it. Your iPhone's TrueDepth system works in a controlled, indoor environment for a few seconds at a time. A doorbell has to work at noon in blazing sun, in a downpour, and in pitch black at 3 a.m. It needs to be always on, always watching, and always processing. The power drain and heat management for that kind of constant operation would be an engineering nightmare compared to a phone you unlock a dozen times a day.
Market Context and Apple's Smart Home Strategy
If this is real, it's a declaration of war. Right now, Apple's smart home play is mostly software: HomeKit. They let companies like Logitech and Arlo make the actual cameras and doorbells. An Apple-branded doorbell changes that completely. It would compete with those partners while also going head-to-head with Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest. Apple's angle wouldn't be the most features or the cheapest price. It would be the promise of privacy and the kind of slick, no-hassle integration only Apple can pull off within its own ecosystem.
Expected Launch Timeline and Pricing
The report says "this year." That's not much to go on. Without the usual paper trail of regulatory filings or supply chain leaks, that timeline is pure guesswork. Price is another big question. Face ID components aren't cheap. Apple doesn't do budget hardware. So you can bet this wouldn't cost $99. Look at the high end of the market. A company like Arlo charges a premium. An Apple doorbell would sit right there, if not higher. Think somewhere in the $300 to $400 range, easily.
India Launch Expectations
There's no India-specific info for a product that doesn't officially exist. But we can look at Apple's usual playbook.
BIS Certification and Launch Timeline
The first real clue will be a BIS certification. We haven't seen one. New iPhones usually get that stamp a few weeks before their global unveiling. If a mysterious Apple doorbell pops up on the BIS website, then we can start talking dates. Until then, assume any India launch would follow a global announcement by several months.
Expected India Pricing & Availability
Get ready for sticker shock. Import duties will jack up the price. That hypothetical $299 to $399 global price? In India, that could easily become ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 or more at launch. You'd probably find it at the usual spots: Apple's online store, Apple Premium Resellers, and big electronics chains like Croma. Don't expect an exclusive deal with Amazon or Flipkart. Apple likes to control the sales experience for its own hardware, especially for something new.
What We Still Don't Know
- Official Confirmation: Apple hasn't said a word.
- Design & Form Factor: What does it look like? No one knows.
- Full Feature Set: Is it just Face ID? What about video quality, power options, or audio?
- Official Pricing & Variants: No numbers, no mention of different models.
- Global Launch Date: "This year" is not a date.
- Software Integration: How will it actually work in the Home app? It's all guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is this Apple doorbell rumor?
Not very. It's a single report without backup from the leakers who are usually right about Apple's plans.
When is the Apple Face ID doorbell expected to be announced?
Maybe 2024, maybe 2025. There's no credible timeline yet.
Should I wait for the Apple doorbell instead of buying a Ring or Nest now?
Absolutely not. Buy what's actually on the shelf today.
How could the final product differ from these rumors?
It might not exist. Or it could exist without Face ID. Or it could be something else entirely.
Will the Apple doorbell be available in India?
If it ever launches globally, it'll come to India. Later, and for a lot more money.
The Bigger Picture
Look, this rumor is fun to think about. A Face ID doorbell is exactly the kind of bold, hardware-driven move Apple would make to lock down your home. But until we see the usual leaks, the ones with part numbers and factory photos, it's just a story. The real takeaway isn't about a specific product. It's that Apple's next big battlefield is clearly your living room, your kitchen, and your front porch. They're coming for your whole house, and a doorbell with a familiar face-scanning sensor would be the perfect first knock.
Sources
- stuff.tv
- threads.com
- tiktok.com (@tiktalktech, @smartpickyt)