Third parties still make Apple's first co-developed smart home devices
Apple introduced six Apple Home devices co-developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, its first hardware for the platform. Third parties still manufacture them, and The Verge says it has not tested any.
The Product Desk
Three prices: the LG lock and LG doorbell together cost $598 before cameras, thermostats or installation; the LG smart lock costs $349; the LG video doorbell costs $249, a figure marked disputed.
| Figure | Value | Note | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG lock and doorbell together, before installation | 598 US dollars | 15 | |
| LG smart lock | 349 US dollars | 10 | |
| LG video doorbell | 249 US dollars | disputed | 17 |
What happened
- Apple showed the collection at its Welcome Home event in New York City, as part of a smart home push led by its new Siri-powered HomeView display.
- The LG lock costs $349 and supports Home Key with hands-free unlocking over UWB, so the door opens with the phone still in a pocket or bag.
- The LG video doorbell costs $249 and carries two cameras at up to 2.5K, one facing visitors and one pointed down at packages.
- Apple says setup is a tap against an iPhone, with Bluetooth and NFC doing the recognition, and the devices work in the Apple Home app.
- Apple says the accessories are managed by Apple products such as an iPhone or an Apple Home Hub device, with end-to-end encrypted communication.
Why it matters
- What doesn't add up contradiction The idea that Apple has stopped depending on outside makers does not fit the account. Third parties manufactured the hardware, and Apple co-developed it, so manufacturing still sits with partners.
- What it limits constraint Apple describes management only through Apple products. A household or small office whose administrator uses other hardware has to ask Apple how access works before buying.
- What it costs cost A front door fitted with the LG lock and doorbell runs $598 before cameras, thermostats or an installer, plus doorbell wiring that must already exist.
- What's now possible capability Apple now has a set of devices to point users to when they ask what to buy, as Amazon does with Ring and Google does with Nest, according to The Verge.
Next story · Product · 3d ago
Apple's Home Collection brings LG cameras from £179.95 to the UK in DecemberConfirmed2 publishers
Pairing is a tap, but the LG doorbell still has to be wired into the home's existing doorbell wiring [18]. The tap handles pairing. The wiring is a separate job.
Here's what teams tell themselves: a product that sets up in one gesture will stay set up. Apple's pitch leans that way. It says the devices pair as easily as a HomePod or AirPods, by tapping them with an iPhone [3]. Apple also said reliability for everyday use was a main focus [6]. Here's what The Verge says gives users headaches: installation and ongoing connectivity problems with cameras and door locks [7]. The outlet said it hopes Apple has addressed those, but that it won't know until it tests the products [8].
The LG lock is the product with a reason to exist beyond the platform label. It supports hands-free unlocking over UWB, and The Verge says it is only the third lock on the market to do so [14]. It is a full replacement for a US-style deadbolt, runs on standard AA batteries, and arrives in the US and Canada starting in December [12]. If the phone path fails, it has a PIN keypad and a physical keyhole [11]. Nothing about failed unlocks, dropped connections or support contacts can exist yet for a lock that ships in December.
We'd decide with a two-by-two. The first axis is whether everyone who administers the system manages it from Apple gear, since Apple describes management through Apple products such as an iPhone or an Apple Home Hub device [5]. The second axis is what a failure costs at that device. A thermostat that drops off the network costs a cold room. A lock that does costs a call to whoever holds the key.
Teams where every admin uses Apple gear can start with the two thermostats [16], where a failure is cheap. For the lock or doorbell, we'd fit one door, count failed unlocks and dropped connections for a few weeks after the December release, and expand only if the count is near zero. Teams with mixed-platform admins should hold off on any device until Apple says how those users get access.
What to watch
- Hands-on testing of the LG lock's hands-free unlocking once it ships in the US and Canada in December, including how often it fails to open.
- Pricing and release dates for the cameras and two thermostats, which the coverage we reviewed does not list.
- Whether Apple documents how a person without an Apple device can manage or share access to the accessories.
Clarity's read
What the record supports and how the coverage leans. The claims behind it follow.
Reality
- Evidence58
- Adoption
- Not scored
- Hype gap+20
- Incentives45
- Confidence68
Perspective Coverage
24 publishers- Builder
- Builder 16%
- Operator
- Operator 61%
- Investor
- Investor 23%
Claim ledger
Ranked by verification strength, evidence, and original report placement.
- [1]
The devices are the first smart home gadgets Apple has made for Apple Home; previously it relied on third parties to make products for the platform.
- [2]
Third parties manufactured the Apple Home Collection products, while Apple co-developed each one and says they are designed to work seamlessly with Apple Home.
- [3]
Apple says the accessories are as easy to pair as a HomePod or AirPods: tap them with an iPhone and it recognizes them using Bluetooth and NFC.
- [4]
All the products work with the Apple Home app, and no third-party apps or accounts are needed.
- [5]
Apple says all accessories in the collection are managed by Apple products, like an iPhone or a device that can act as an Apple Home Hub, and that communication is end-to-end encrypted so only the user says who has access to their data.
- [6]
Apple said its main focus with the collection was to make the accessories easy to set up, reliable for everyday use, and capable of keeping data private.
- [7]
According to The Verge, installation and ongoing connectivity issues with smart home devices like cameras and door locks are what give people headaches.
- [8]
The Verge said it hopes Apple has addressed installation and connectivity issues, but that it won't know until it tests the products.
- [9]
According to The Verge, the collection fills a gap in Apple's offering: Amazon with Ring and Google with Nest both have products they can point users to when setting up a smart home, and now Apple has the same.
- [10]
The LG smart lock costs $349 and supports Apple Home Key, including hands-free unlocking via UWB, so the user does not need to tap a phone or watch.
- [11]
The LG lock has a keypad for PIN code entry and a physical keyhole hidden under the rotating keypad.
- [12]
The LG lock is a full replacement for a US-style deadbolt, uses Matter-over-Thread, supports the Aliro standard, takes standard AA batteries, and will be available in the US and Canada starting in December.
- [13]
Apple introduced the collection at its Welcome Home event in New York City, as part of a major smart home push led by its new Siri AI-powered HomeView smart display.
- [14]
According to The Verge, the UWB-powered LG lock is only the third lock on the market to support Apple's hands-free unlocking using UWB.
- [15]
The LG lock and LG doorbell together cost $598 before cameras, thermostats or installation.
- [16]
Apple partnered with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric to launch the Apple Home Collection, which includes security cameras, a video doorbell, a door lock and two thermostats, six devices in total.
- [17]
The LG video doorbell costs $249 and has two cameras, one front-facing for visitors and one pointing down for packages, both supporting up to 2.5K resolution.
- [18]
The LG doorbell needs to be wired into the home's doorbell wiring and can ring HomePods as a chime.
Sources
24 independent publishers whose own reporting we read for this story.
- 9to5mac.comApple unveils Apple Home Collection smart home accessories developed with LG and Schneider
1 article · October 13, 2026
- apple.comApple unveils the Apple Home Collection, a lineup of smart home accessories made with LG and Schneider, including cameras, thermostats, a doorbell, and a lock
1 article
- cultofmac.comApple Home Collection is a starter kit for your smart home | Cult of Mac
1 article · October 13, 2026
- digitaltrends.comApple unveils new Home Collection with security cameras, doorbell, locks, and thermostats - Digital Trends
1 article · October 13, 2026
- gadgetreview.comApple Home Collection Arrives Through LG and Schneider Electric Partnership - Gadget Review
1 article · October 13, 2026
- gizmodo.comApple Wants to Invade Your Home With a Mountain of Cameras, Doorbells, and More
1 article · October 13, 2026
- gsmarena.comApple Home Collection launches with LG and Schneider cameras, thermostats, and sensors - GSMArena.com news
1 article · October 13, 2026
- howtogeek.comApple is tired of waiting for other people to solve smart homes' biggest problem
1 article · October 13, 2026
- idropnews.comApple Unveils 'Apple Home Collection' Smart Home Lineup
1 article · October 13, 2026
- macrumors.comApple Launches 'Apple Home Collection' With Cameras, Lock, Thermostats and More
1 article · October 13, 2026
- macstories.netApple Teams Up with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric to Offer the Apple Home Collection - MacStories
1 article · October 13, 2026
- macworld.comApple Home Collection is an expensive way to build your smart home | Macworld
1 article · October 12, 2026
- mashable.comMeet the Apple Home Collection, smart security devices made with LG | Mashable
2 articles · October 13, 2026
- mezha.netApple представила HomeView і ставить на ШІ для розумного дому
2 articles · October 15, 2026
- notebookcheck.netApple teams up with LG and Schneider Electric for an ambitious smart home push - Notebookcheck News
1 article · October 13, 2026
- phandroid.comApple Just Launched Its Own Line of Smart Home Cameras, Locks and Thermostats - Phandroid
1 article · October 13, 2026
- sixcolors.comNew Home Collection banner offers Apple-influenced accessories – Six Colors
1 article · October 13, 2026
- t3.comApple unveils LG Video Doorbell with dual lenses, spotlight and built-in chime | T3
1 article · October 13, 2026
- techcrunch.comApple’s new smart home line-up includes a smart lock, thermostat and video doorbells
1 article · October 13, 2026
- techrepublic.comApple’s New $200 Indoor Camera Turns Away When You’re Home — for Privacy
1 article · October 14, 2026
- techspot.comNew Apple Home Collection includes smart cameras, door lock, and thermostats made by LG and Schneider Electric
1 article · October 13, 2026
- theverge.comThe new Apple Home Collection includes a video doorbell, smart lock, and more
2 articles · October 13, 2026
- thurrott.comApple Launches Collection of Smart Home Accessories From LG and Schneider Electric
1 article · October 13, 2026
- tomsguide.comApple's new Home Collection includes a smart lock that opens when you walk up — no tapping required | Tom's Guide
1 article · October 13, 2026
Topics and entities
Entities
- Apple Home Collection
- Apple
- Matter
- Apple HomeView
- HomeKit Secure Video
- Schneider Electric
- LG Electronics