Apple teams up with LG and Schneider Electric for an ambitious smart home push

Alongside its new HomeView smart home hub, HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV, Apple has announced Home Collection, a new range of connected home accessories developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Unlike Apple’s first-party hardware, these products are manufactured by its partners but designed to integrate directly with Apple Home. The range includes four security cameras, a smart door lock, two thermostats and two temperature sensors.

LG Electronics is responsible for most of the lineup, starting with four security cameras capable of recording video at up to 2.5K resolution. The LG Video Doorbell Wired features two cameras, one for monitoring visitors and another for detecting packages. The primary camera records at 2.5K, while the downward-facing sensor captures Full HD footage. The LG Floodlight Cam features motion-activated dual floodlights and colour night vision, while the Outdoor Cam offers similar low-light capabilities without the integrated floodlights.

The LG Indoor Cam automatically tilts upwards when users want to monitor their homes and points downwards when a household member returns, effectively stopping surveillance. All four cameras support recognition of people, pets, vehicles and packages.

Apple Intelligence brings additional capabilities, including automatically generated video summaries and natural language searches through recorded footage. However, these features require an eligible iCloud+ subscription, an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad for setup, and a supported Apple Home hub. Standard event recording provides 10 days of encrypted video history, with the number of supported cameras determined by the subscription tier. The cameras also feature local storage to continue recording during Wi-Fi outages.

LG’s Smart Deadbolt Lock uses Ultra Wideband technology to detect when someone with an authorised iPhone or Apple Watch approaches the door. It can automatically unlock without requiring users to tap their devices. Alternative unlocking methods include NFC, a PIN pad and a physical backup key. The Matter-compatible lock also supports Aliro and can perform core access functions without an internet connection.

For climate control, both LG Electronics and Schneider Electric have developed smart thermostats that support Apple’s Adaptive Temperature feature. Using information from an iPhone, the system automatically adjusts heating and cooling depending on whether household members are home, sleeping or away. Both companies also offer standalone temperature and humidity sensors. In the contiguous US, compatible systems can use Clean Energy Guidance to shift heating and cooling to periods with cheaper or cleaner electricity.

Apple says the accessories can be configured with a single tap on an iPhone, without requiring separate applications or user accounts. All nine devices support Thread networking and can be controlled through Siri or the Apple Home app. Apple also claims that home data is end-to-end encrypted, preventing even its hardware partners from accessing it.

Prices start at $39.95 for the temperature sensors, while both smart thermostats cost $199.95. LG’s Indoor Cam starts at $199.95, followed by the Video Doorbell Wired at $249.95, Outdoor Cam at $299.95, and Floodlight Cam at $399.95. The Smart Deadbolt Lock costs $349.95.

Apple Home Collection products will begin arriving in December 2026, with select accessories following in early 2027. The cameras will be available in the US, Canada and the UK, while the smart lock, thermostats and temperature sensors are initially limited to the US and Canada.