Today, Apple unveiled its long-anticipated Home Collection, a lineup of smart home devices it created in partnership with LG and Schneider. If you've been waiting to transform your home into a smart home or wanting to better integratation of your existing smart with the Apple ecosystem, you now have more options to consider. Read on to find out whether Apple's new smart home collection is right for you!
Apple Home Collection Lineup & Pricing
Apple took its first steps into smart home devices with the HomePod and Apple TV, and now it's diving deeper with a dedicated lineup of smart home accessories. The company is partnering with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric to bring its vision to life. Here's what the lineup includes:
- LG Video Doorbell - $249.95
- LG Floodlight Cam - $399.95
- LG Outdoor Cam - $299.95
- LG Indoor Cam - $199.95
- LG Smart Deadbolt Lock - $349.95
- LG Smart Thermostat - $199.95
- LG Temperature Sensor - $39.95
- Schneider Smart Thermostat - $199.95
- Schneider Thermostat Room Sensor - $39.95
You can use all of these devices to create the ideal smart home set up. The best part is that these accessories can be set up and used through the Home app. You don't need a third-party account or app to use them. All you need is your iPhone.
The Home Collection also works seamlessly alongside the new HomeView and HomePods. If you've been avoiding going all-in on smart home devices because of the complicated set up process, the Apple Home Collection should help you take that first step. Apple says the entire collection will be available toward the end of 2026.
Privacy & the Apple Home Collection
Apple has partnered with LG and Schneider for its Home Collection. This means the hardware is being manufactured by third-party companies rather than Apple itself. Earlier this year, LG was outed for spying on its customers through its smart TVs. The microphones on the TVs were found to be always listening, recording voices for advertising purposes. Apple partnering with such a company for its smart home devices certainly caused us to raise our eyebrows.
However, in its press release on the Home Collection, Apple emphasizes the privacy of the Home Collection. According to Apple, all camera footage and personal data is stored end-to-end encrypted, which means the data is never accessible by LG, Schneider, or even Apple itself. This gives us some peace of mind in how Apple is handling this partnership. Apple has not given us many reasons to doubt its commitment to privacy, so we're inclined to trust that our data is safe even if these devices are being made by LG and Schneider.
Should You Buy the Home Collection?
The Home Collection is great for newcomers since it can be set up without installing any extra apps or setting up new accounts. All you need to do is bring your iPhone close and setup begins automatically. That ease of access is probably enough for some people to go for these smart devices over other brands. It's certainly tempting for me. However, there's no denying that there are many other smart home devices on the market for much cheaper than what Apple is offering.
You should also consider the type of home you live in. For example, I live in an apartment and it appears that the LG Video Doorbell is a wired doorbell. Since this device requires an existing doorbell to install, I won't be able to use it at all as my apartment does not have a doorbell. If your home doesn't have an existing doorbell either, you may want to consider a different brand like Aqara or Arlo.
When the Apple Home Collection is released, you'll want to carefully consider your budget, whether or not you trust the brand with your privacy, and if the devices will work with your home set up.
