New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and AirTag Were Expected This Year — Where Are They?

[JulianL]

If Apple doesn't release Apple TV & HomePod Mini this year, and if it can get next generation Siri ready by March, it might well make sense for all that stuff to be combined into a focussed March event where Apple announces a big push into the smart home market - updated HomePod Mini and new HomePod with a display both running updated Siri, new Apple TV with enough power to handle a lot of the AI load locally, and maybe some other new stuff like security cameras and/or a doorbell.

That does leave the question about what is going on with the falling stock levels in a few places. Would Apple really be willing to have a gap in HomePod sales for 4 months? Maybe sales of the current model are low enough right now that it doesn't care in the bigger picture of a major push into the smart home market next year. Also, the scarcity of current generation HPM isn't universal. I just looked them up on Apple's UK web site and, while my local Apple Store can't offer me any for pickup today, all colours are available for in-store pickup or home delivery tomorrow. Perhaps this is just a temporary supply glitch and at least some more will be going into the retail channel between now and early next year.

 

[James_C]

I'm guessing - I believe the hardware is probably ready - which is why you are seeing frequent imminent rumours ( that are often based on factory intel) , but the software is not. Reminds me of the AirTag delays where it was clear the hardware was manufactured way before they actually shipped. So I agree it is probably going to be a 1st Quarter 2026 release.

 

[Executek]

At this point, everything is pure guessing. Apple could release new hardware any day now, or they could also wait until spring. The only strange thing is that the stock at resellers is going low, and I don't think that Apple wants that to be through the holidays, so either a new model is really coming out in the next days or we should see some restock.

 

[Octothorpe]

I think Apple is done for the year.

The Nov 1st to Jan 31st is a terrible time to release new products, as many retailers extend their return periods during the holiday season. This is a better time for Apple and retailers to clear out existing inventory, and then Apple can announce new products after the holiday return period has ended.

 

[Serrafemme]

“So here’s what we know for sure so far right this minute: nothing.”

 

[wonderings]

They could start with not dumping all my video file metadata every five minutes because 'memory was running low' when it shows it still has lots of free memory.

Sounds like that is a software update and not a completely new version.

 

[HiFifreak]

Hahahahahahahahaha, Ask Mark Gurman!! :-D

 

[Rychiar]

Siri is a software feature, installable via an over the air update. They can easily include a chip capable of supporting new Siri, and enable new Siri via an over the air update like they did with the humidity and temperature sensors. They're missing the Christmas spending splurge and will release them at probably the lowest consumer spending time of the year once all those Christmas credit card bills start becoming due.

true, there's just no other new selling point. they could be using the holidays to clear out old inventory. Apple clearly doesn't care about having the latest flashy new tech anymore

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

At this point, everything is pure guessing. Apple could release new hardware any day now, or they could also wait until spring. The only strange thing is that the stock at resellers is going low, and I don't think that Apple wants that to be through the holidays, so either a new model is really coming out in the next days or we should see some restock.

Agreed that this is the strangest part of this whole saga. Given multiple retailers have listed the product as 'end of life', 'clearance' and 'discontinued', they must have some sort of intel and justification for doing that.

 

[Happy_John]

Agreed that this is the strangest part of this whole saga. Given multiple retailers have listed the product as 'end of life', 'clearance' and 'discontinued', they must have some sort of intel and justification for doing that.

True, but maybe retailers are not immune to buying into rumour hype around technology. And maybe Apple have hit the tipping point where they feel rumours are damaging their reputation more than rumours benefiting them.

To be blunt, rumours enhance expectations, but Apple have been bitten in the ass by overhyped expectations ( Apple Intelligence) and leakers (random Russians) recently.

Rumours have destroyed Apple Events, to the point where Apple don’t put much effort into them anymore. Why stage a „big reveal” event when all the audience is going to do is play „rumour bingo”, ticking off the rumours that were accurate and whinging and moaning about the ones that weren’t?

Maybe they’re giving leakers and rumourmills the middle finger. Which is fair enough, I think. Because any rumour-addicted fanbase is pretty toxic.

 

[hoodlum90]

Maybe they’re giving leakers and rumourmills the middle finger. Which is fair enough, I think. Because any rumour-addicted fanbase is pretty toxic.

Sure, but at the expense of sales due to limited retail stock at the start of the holiday season? Apple would never do that.

 

[loveall]

I dont see them releasing until March or WWDC alongsize the new Siri to support them. Just makes no sense to do it now

Unless they want good holiday revenue for Q4 and Christmas besides the products that were released in September. Considering these products are a lot cheaper than those ones as well especially during these rough economic times, so I think it would be smart to release at least something that’s less than $200 for the Christmas season from Apple.

 

[BMox81]

So what day are the hopers giving Apple now? Black Friday? Christmas Day?

 

[Biro]

true, there's just no other new selling point. they could be using the holidays to clear out old inventory. Apple clearly doesn't care about having the latest flashy new tech anymore

Apple doesn’t seem to care about the holiday gift-buying season, either. I had plans to give the new Apple TV as gifts to at least two people. If they wait until next year to bring it out, I won’t be giving Apple TVs to anyone at any time.

 

[BMox81]

Apple doesn’t seem to care about the holiday gift-buying season, either. I had plans to give the new Apple TV as gifts to at least two people. If they wait until next year to bring it out, I won’t be giving Apple TVs to anyone at any time.

Why? Nothing wrong with the current model.

 

[Happy_John]

Sure, but at the expense of sales due to limited retail stock at the start of the holiday season? Apple would never do that.

Bur it seems to be what they are doing, so far at least. They must be happy with their current product lines until Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

People are taking rumours far too seriously these days.

 

[Edd70]

I agree that the Apple TV box offers a premium experience but I think fewer and fewer people will buy one unless Apple adds something unique. It doesn't help that you have to switch inputs, which creates friction. Two possibilities consist of pursuing console-level games or replacing the cable box/DVR.

Switch inputs? I don’t do that. Press the power button on the remote and it’ll automatically go to whichever input the ATV is connected to.

 

[ipedro]

I really was looking forward to picking up a bunch of new HomePod minis for the holidays but looks like that's not happening. I get Apple wanting to tie it into the new Siri that won't be ready until late in Q1 or Q2, but I think they're missing out on holiday sales. They could've launched the new HomePod mini then add additional colours to the lineup in the Spring with the launch of new Siri. People who buy or receive one for Christmas are going to want to buy more in a few months anyway.

One Hail Mary: I remember finding it odd when AirPods Max launched a week before Christmas. Could happen again.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Black box is missing

 

[Neil J. Squillante]

One Hail Mary: I remember finding it odd when AirPods Max launched a week before Christmas. Could happen again.

That was likely a delayed launch because of Covid. It won’t happen again. It’s this week or 2026.

 

[jeffbax]

Finally upgraded my TV to 4K and really want that new stupid Apple TV puck to release already. My 1080p model is long in the tooth but I refuse to buy a new one right before, and damn is the LG TV software lousy. I miss my unified queue.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Apple is falling behind. It’s too slow by today’s standards.

What other TV streaming box clearly outperforms an Apple TV?

 

[pdmpolishing]

What other TV streaming box clearly outperforms an Apple TV?

As to the Passthrough of audio, Nvidia Shield, Fire TV 4K Max and other Android boxes.

 

[SactoGuy18]

The new Apple TV could be out as early as this Wednesday (November 19, 2025). That is unless Apple is preparing a totally new remote control, and that may delay the new Apple TV box to March 2026.

 

[BMox81]

Finally upgraded my TV to 4K and really want that new stupid Apple TV puck to release already. My 1080p model is long in the tooth but I refuse to buy a new one right before, and damn is the LG TV software lousy. I miss my unified queue.

Buy that 3rd gen model and enjoy!