HomePod rumors: All we know about HomePod mini 2, HomePod Touch & HomePad hub
Macworld
Apple’s HomePod lineup could be about to undergo its biggest expansion since the original HomePod launched. Rather than simply refreshing its existing smart speakers, Apple is reportedly preparing several new smart home devices, including products that blur the line between HomePod, smart display and home hub.
The company is said to have three smart home products “very nearly ready to release,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. However, Apple is reportedly delaying their launch until its redesigned AI-powered Siri is ready, with the new assistant expected to debut alongside the OS 27 updates later this year.
If those plans stay on track, Apple could unveil its next wave of HomePod and smart home devices shortly after iOS 27 and the upgraded Siri are released this fall.
In this guide, we round up all the latest rumours and reports about Apple’s upcoming HomePod products, including expected release dates, new hardware, Apple Intelligence features and pricing.
What are the new HomePod products?
Apple’s HomePod lineup currently consists of two models, both of which became more expensive following Apple’s June 2026 price increases. The HomePod mini now costs $129, while the 2nd-generation HomePod is priced at $349. But the real story isn’t the current speakers – it’s the next generation of smart home devices Apple is preparing.
According to multiple reports, Apple is developing several new HomePod-related products, including updated HomePod and HomePod mini models and a display-equipped smart home hub, widely referred to as the “HomePad.”
Rumored new products include the following, the names aren’t confirmed, we are using them as placeholders:
Placeholder nameWhat is it When Likelihood HomePod mini 2Updated internals, faster chip, and new colors including redMid-202610/10HomePod 3Updated internals, faster chipMid-202610/10HomePod TouchHomePod with a built-in 6-7in touchscreenLate-20266/10HomePadA smart display with a 6-7in screen possibly wall-mounted. To be the command centre of the home. Late-20266/10HomeHubCombining a HomePod speaker, display, and advanced home-control features (building on HomePod Touch concept, may not be separate product)Late-20266/10Screen mounted on robot arm Display mounted on a robotic arm (could be evolution of HomePod concept)2027 or beyond5/10Security cameraA security camera is said to be part of Apple’s smart home roadmap2027 or beyond5/10
Why hasn’t Apple launched the new HomePod devices yet?
The biggest obstacle is Siri.
Apple’s next-generation Siri is designed to be a far more capable assistant, able to understand conversational context, personal information and on-screen content as part of Apple Intelligence. However, the chips inside today’s HomePods simply aren’t powerful enough to support these features.
The HomePod mini uses the Apple Watch S5 chip, while the 2nd-generation HomePod runs on the S7 chip. Those processors work well for music playback, HomeKit control and basic voice commands, but they lack the performance needed for Apple’s latest AI models.
As a result, Apple is widely believed to have delayed its new HomePod hardware until it can launch devices capable of delivering the full Siri AI experience. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that several smart home products are effectively ready, but are being held back until the redesigned Siri ships with the iOS 27 software updates later this year.
That means the next generation of HomePods is expected to feature significantly more powerful Apple silicon, enabling Apple Intelligence features that the current models cannot support.
HomePod mini 2
We’ll start off with the rumors about the HomePod mini 2. The HomePod mini is Apple’s smaller, more affordable smart speaker. The new model is expected to offer a new red color option, major processor upgrade and improved connectivity.
Foundry
When is the HomePod mini 2 expected to launch?
October 2026
Apple introduced the original HomePod mini in November 2020, so it is now nearly six years old and overdue for an update.
Rumours of a successor have circulated for more than a year. In January 2025, reports suggested a launch toward the end of 2025, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman subsequently said that new HomePod mini and Apple TV models were expected in autumn 2025. Those products never materialised.
Attention then shifted to spring 2026, with reports suggesting Apple’s new smart home devices would launch alongside its redesigned Siri. However, that timetable also slipped as Apple continued work on its AI-powered assistant.
The latest reports now point to an October 2026 launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has several smart home products that are nearly ready but is waiting for the redesigned Siri to ship with the OS 27 updates before introducing new hardware.
If those plans remain on schedule, the HomePod mini 2 is expected to launch alongside Apple’s broader refresh of its smart home lineup this fall, with most reports pointing to October.
What changes are coming to the HomePod mini 2?
Black, blue, green, pink, and white.
The current HomePod mini is available in Midnight, White, Blue, Yellow and Orange. In September 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has tested additional colours for the next-generation model, including red, although it remains unclear whether any new colours will make it to the final product.
In September, MacRumors spotted Apple code that revealed the new colors: black, blue, green, pink, and white.
Otherwise, it is expected to retain the same compact, spherical design as the current model, with no major external changes rumoured. Instead, Apple is reportedly focusing on more powerful internal hardware, with an S9 or newer chip able to support next-generation AI-powered Siri features.
Other changes coming to HomePod mini 2
Alongside a faster processor, the HomePod mini 2 is also rumoured to include:
Apple Intelligence support, enabling the redesigned AI-powered Siri, although some features may arrive after launch if Siri development continues to slip.
Improved connectivity, including Apple’s in-house networking chip, Wi-Fi 6E and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip.
Audio improvements, with upgraded drivers and enhanced sound processing.
Minor hardware refinements, such as a removable power cable, although this remains speculative.
HomePod 3
The larger HomePod is more expensive than the HomePod mini, delivering richer, louder audio with deeper bass and spatial audio. The next generation is expected to get a processor upgrade, improved connectivity and better sound.
Michael Brown/Foundry
When is the HomePod 3 expected to launch?
October 2026
Apple has not officially announced a third-generation HomePod, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the company is preparing several new smart home products that are being held back until its redesigned AI-powered Siri is ready.
If those plans remain on schedule, the HomePod 3 is expected to launch alongside the HomePod mini 2 following the release of the OS 27 updates later this year.
What changes are coming to the HomePod 3?
Unlike the HomePod mini 2, there are relatively few leaks about hardware upgrades coming to the full-size HomePod. However, it’s expected to receive the same core internal upgrades needed to support Apple’s AI ambitions.
Expected improvements include:
More powerful chip: The current HomePod uses the S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7. A next-generation model is expected to adopt a significantly faster Apple silicon chip, potentially the S9 or newer, to support Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Intelligence Support: The upgraded hardware should enable Apple’s redesigned AI-powered Siri and other Apple Intelligence features, although some capabilities may arrive after launch if Siri development continues to slip.
Improved Connectivity: Rumours point to Apple’s in-house networking chip, together with Wi-Fi 6E and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for improved performance and smart home integration.
Audio Enhancements: Apple is also expected to refine the speaker system with upgraded drivers and audio processing.
In September, a post by itspdfu, who has a history of posting leaks online, said that audioOS27, the operating system for HomePod devices, supports Siri AI. In addition to Siri AI support, the new HomePod will have new animations for the device’s display.
Beyond these internal upgrades, some reports suggest Apple is experimenting with a HomePod featuring a built-in display. That device is expected to be a separate product rather than a standard HomePod 3, and we cover those rumours in the next section.
HomePod with screen
Apple has been rumored to be working on a HomePod with a screen for years, and while it hasn’t launched yet, the evidence that it’s coming is now overwhelming. Read on to find out what we know about the HomePod with Screen – perhaps called HomePod Touch – based on the latest reports.
Foundry and Apple
When will the HomePod with Screen launch?
Possible launch: Delayed until fall-2026
Apple has been working redesigning the HomePod to include a display for some time. Back in March 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple would “unveil a redesigned HomePod featuring a 7-inch panel.” Kuo initially expected this product to arrive in the first half of 2024, but that timeline slipped. In December 2024, he reported further delays had pushined the launch to after WWDC 2025, citing software development challenges. Then, in March 2025, Kuo suggested the device had been delayed again, due to Apple Intelligence setbacks.
Current speculation suggests a possible release in the fall of 2026, with the release slipping as the major updates to Siri and Apple’s AI platform have been further delayed. Alternatively, the HomePod Touch may gain AI related features as part of a later software update.
HomePod with display incoming?Foundry
What will the HomePod with Screen be like?
Display size: Touchscreen 6 and 7-inches
Software: Custom touchscreen operating system running apps like Weather, Calendar, Photos, HomeKit as well as Apple Music
One of the biggest limitations of today’s HomePod is that almost every interaction relies on Siri. A built-in display would provide a more direct way to control music, manage smart home devices and access information, putting Apple’s device in direct competition with the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub.
According to current rumours, Apple’s display-equipped HomePod will feature a 6-7-inch touchscreen and run a touch-optimised version of homeOS, allowing it to function as both a smart speaker and a smart home hub. Unlike existing HomePods, it is expected to use a far more powerful A-series chip – possibly an A18 or similar – to support Apple’s redesigned AI-powered Siri and the more demanding graphical interface.
Rumoured features:
Large touchscreen: A 6-7-inch display for controlling smart home devices, viewing photos, checking the weather, following recipes and interacting with apps.
Powerful Apple silicon: An A-series chip is expected to replace the S-series processor used in current HomePods, providing the performance needed for Apple Intelligence and the touchscreen interface.
Dedicated smart home hub: Enhanced HomeKit and Matter controls, with apps including Weather, Calendar, Photos, Apple Music and Home.
Improved connectivity: Apple’s in-house networking chip, Wi-Fi 6E and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip are all rumoured.
FaceTime camera: Reports suggest Apple may include a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video-based features.
Possible modular design: Some rumours suggest the display could magnetically dock with a full-size HomePod speaker, allowing it to be used either as a standalone smart display or as part of a higher-fidelity speaker system.
If accurate, this would represent Apple’s biggest expansion of the HomePod lineup since its debut, transforming it from a voice-first speaker into a full smart home controller.
Amazon Echo Show beside the HomePod mini, Ben Patterson/Foundry
HomePad or HomeHub smart hub: Rumors & release date for smart display with robot arm
Possible launch: Late 2026 or 2027 if Siri updates are delayed
Strategy: Brand new category of products
HomePad release date
Apple’s first-ever smart home display had been rumored to launch in the spring of 2026, but it’s been delayed due to issues with Siri, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He claims the hardware has been ready for some time, according to anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter.
Another leaker, known as Kosutami, who has made accurate predictions in the past, posted on X on March 5 to predict: “Autumn. Home. Integrated with Pad. Now coming.” That somewhat cryptic post doesn’t necessarily refer to the HomePad, but it seems likely.
What is the HomePad?
Apple has reportedly been exploring a broader smart home strategy for years, and the HomePad could be its most ambitious step yet.
As far back as April 2021, Mark Gurman described a high-end device combining a HomePod speaker, a touchscreen, and a camera mounted on a robotic arm that could follow the user around the room during video calls. Gurman has made various references to this over the years.
Reports suggest Apple may be planning multiple smart home hub products, potentially split into two tiers:
Low-end smart display (J490): A stationary device with an approximately 7-inch screen, designed for wall mounting or docking. It would focus on HomeKit control and FaceTime calls.
High-end robotic hub (J595): A more advanced version featuring a display mounted on a robotic arm. This “Luxo Jr.-like” device could function as a videoconferencing system and home security tool, though it may not arrive until late 2026 or even 2027.
A revamped, AI-powered Siri is expected to be central to the experience – and its ongoing development is widely believed to be the main reason these products have yet to launch.
Imagen 3 (Gemini)
HomePad Smart Hub Design, Features & Specs
Speculation regarding the HomePad’s internal specifications and software capabilities includes:
Processing Power: Internal code suggests the device, codenamed J490, may be powered by the A18 chip, which is capable of supporting advanced Apple Intelligence features.
Operating System: The hub will likely run a version of TVos that incorporates iOS-like features. For instance, the inclusion of the “ChatKit” framework in recent software betas suggests the HomePad may support iMessage and texting, features not currently available on Apple TV or standard HomePods.
Kitchen Integration: A new “CookingKit” framework and expanded food sections in Apple News indicate that kitchen assistance, such as searching for recipes by ingredient, could be a primary selling point.
Entertainment: Beyond home control, the device is expected to function as an entertainment hub for streaming music and video, as well as making FaceTime calls via a built-in camera.
Advanced Home Control: Code found in the iOS 26 Home app describes an “Adaptive Temperature” feature, which could allow the HomePad to offer more granular control over smart thermostats, including energy-saving optimizations based on local electricity rates.
Camera: There are suggestions that the device could combines a HomePod with a camera, or place a camera on a robot arm. This camera could also be used to recognize gestures. Some years ago a patent was filed that related to a future HomePod that could interpret 3D hand gestures. That patent describes a HomePod that can “interpret three-dimensional hand gestures as a means of controlling the device so as to execute an action or function.”
What chips will power the new HomePods?
The biggest limitation of today’s HomePods isn’t their speakers – it’s their processors. The HomePod mini still uses the Apple Watch S5 chip introduced in 2019, while the second-generation HomePod runs on the newer, but still relatively modest, S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7.
Those chips are powerful enough for music playback, HomeKit control and basic Siri requests, but they are not capable of running Apple’s next-generation AI features. Apple Intelligence currently requires an A17 Pro, M1 or newer chip, making it impossible to bring the full AI-powered Siri experience to the existing HomePod hardware.
That hardware gap is widely believed to be the main reason Apple has delayed its next generation of HomePods. Rather than updating Siri on the existing speakers, Apple is expected to launch new models with significantly faster processors capable of supporting Apple Intelligence.
HomePod mini 2 & HomePod 3
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said the only confirmed hardware change coming to the new HomePods is a faster chip, although he has not identified which processor Apple will use. The most commonly suggested possibilities are the S9, S10 or S11 chips, but these remain speculative and have not been reported by Gurman or other major Apple analysts.
HomePod with a screen
The display-equipped HomePod is expected to require substantially more processing power than Apple’s existing smart speakers. Because it will reportedly run a touch-based operating system alongside Apple Intelligence, most analysts expect it to use an A-series processor, with an A17 Pro or A18 among the leading predictions. Apple has not confirmed the chip, and these reports remain speculative.
Whatever processors Apple ultimately chooses, the goal appears to be the same across the entire HomePod range: replacing ageing Apple Watch chips with modern Apple silicon capable of delivering the full Apple Intelligence experience.
New HomePod Prices
The prices for the HomePods increased in June 2026:
HomePod: $349/£349 (was $299/£299)
HomePod mini: $129/£129 (was $99/£99)
With Apple increasing prices in June 2026, we think that these change are like to stick for the updated versions.
However, a HomePod with a built-in screen could command a higher price. It may launch as a separate product altogether, potentially starting around $399/£399, or higher, depending on features.
Buying advice: Should you wait or buy a HomePod now?
With prices recently rising on devices that are already underpowered our advice would be: do not buy now.
What is on Apple’s Smart Home Roadmap
Apple’s smart-home roadmap is expected to accelerate in 2026 and beyond, as the company expands its Home ecosystem with new hardware, AI features and services designed to compete with Amazon and Google.
Ongoing: Apple continues to lean on the Matter standard to increase device compatibility. Updates like Matter 1.5 have added support for security cameras and energy management, which Apple is expected to integrate into the Home app.
February 2026: On February 10, 2026, Apple ended support for its legacy HomeKit architecture. This transition removed the ability to use an iPad as a home hub, restricting that role to the Apple TV 4K or HomePod.
Mid 2026: Launch of new HomePod mini 2 and HomePod 3.
Later in 2026: Apple intends to overhaul Siri. A completely redesigned, LLM-based Siri is expected to debut in early 2026 to power the new smart hubs. Previous delays in the smart home roadmap were largely attributed to Siri’s development “snags”
September 2026: iOS 27 (expected September 2026) may include AI vision recognition, allowing cameras to recognize specific users and their actions to trigger automations while maintaining privacy.
Fall 2026: Launch of Apple’s HomePad device(s).
Other Smart Home products coming from Apple
Apple Security Camera: Reports indicate Apple plans to enter the security camera market with its own hardware. Code discovered in iOS 26.2 includes a new “isFirstPartyAccessory” flag, suggesting support for Apple-branded cameras and doorbells that integrate deeply with the ecosystem.
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