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New HomePod Expected Alongside Updated HomePod Mini and Apple TV

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On a live Q&A call today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is planning to release a new full-sized HomePod alongside new HomePod mini and Apple TV models.

HomePod-2-White-and-Midnight-Feature-Blue-Orange.jpg

Gurman reiterated that updates to all three products are on hold until Apple releases its more personalized version of Siri later this year. The revamped assistant is expected to debut in iOS 27, which will be available in beta starting in June and should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

Accordingly, new HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV models should be released this year.

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Gurman said new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini at a minimum have been "ready" since last year, and on the call today he explicitly said "yes" to a new full-sized HomePod coming as well.

Inventory of the Apple TV, HomePod mini, and full-sized HomePod is once again "running low" at Apple's retail stores around the world.

As spotted by Pedro Marques, some HomePod mini configurations are not available until as late as May 8 in Toronto, Canada. This is an oddly far away date, and it may suggest that Apple is no longer manufacturing the current HomePod mini.

HomePod-mini-and-Apple-TV-Sage.jpg

Earlier rumors claimed the next Apple TV would be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, which is the oldest chip that supports Apple Intelligence. The device is also expected to feature Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer, but it is not entirely clear how that chip would be capable enough to support the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Other rumored features include the N1 chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and a red color option.

The current Apple TV 4K debuted in October 2022, and the HomePod mini was introduced in October 2020, so both devices are due for upgrades.

The full-sized HomePod was last updated in January 2023. There have been no rumored upgrades for it yet beyond support for the revamped Siri.

Article Link: New HomePod Expected Alongside Updated HomePod Mini and Apple TV
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/26/new-full-size-homepod-rumor/
Last edited:
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MacRumors said:
As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer, but it is not entirely clear how that chip would be capable enough to support the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence.
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My idea is that it will require an Apple TV or it will use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby that is connected to the home.
 
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CWallace said:
"Three more things" at the end of the next iPhone event.
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If just spec bumped + enhanced Siri capabilities, just drop an updated ATV today and we'll welcome enhanced features via software updates.

I only say this as someone with a newly renovated space (Sept) that has been waiting for the next iteration of ATV. My partner has been saying, since September, "just get the current AppleTV! This is stupid!" She's not wrong... We have an ATV 4K and have zero issues with it. It just seems stupid(er) to buy brand new, 4-yr-old tech device.
 
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As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer, but it is not entirely clear how that chip would be capable enough to support the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Other rumored features include the N1 chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and a red color option.
Click to expand...

I don't see the point of waiting to release a product that can't fully make use of the 'new Siri' - I believe that even the mini will be capable of 'Apple Intelligence' otherwise, why not release it now and earn the revenue instead of having a product 'age' while it waits?
 
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Of f*&/65ng course they would. I've been so ready to beat my Gen 2 with a bat like the printer in office space. Yesterday, yes, yesterday I bought an OG on eBay that has a no-power problem to send off to Nic's Fix to repair.
 
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Dang. I was hoping for no upgrade to regular HomePods until at least two more years. Looks like I’ll have to sell my old Gen 2’s on the secondhand market… again…
 
Charlie Bonesx said:
what are people looking for from a new Apple TV that it can't do already ?

I can only think of persistent storage (for emulators) and audio passthrough, but I figure those or both software choices
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I've been wondering that as well. I'm cautiously optimistic there will be a new feature that's significant (enough) to justify upgrading from the current generation. If it's just new Siri and the current gen doesn't get it, then probably a bit of a "meh".
 
I find this site constantly quoting Gurman to be extremely tiresome. I get it he's one of the most active commenters out there, but he's soooo hit and miss, mostly miss. Half the time the content on here is 80% based on whatever comes out of Gurman's rear - a load of gas, with very little substance.
 
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