New HomePod to Reportedly Feature 6-7 Inch OLED Display

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming third-generation HomePod will feature a 6- to 7-inch OLED display, according to a new report by Korean outlet SE Daily.

MacRumors concept render​

Citing industry insiders, the Korean-language report claims that Apple will use Tianma, a Chinese display manufacturer ranked fourth domestically after BOE and CSOT, to supply the OLED panels for the new HomePod, set to be released next year.

There have been rumors about a ‌HomePod with a display since 2021, and Apple actually seems to have several related smart-home products in the works that feature displays. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested Apple is developing several HomePod variants with screens, including one with an iPad-like display and built-in camera, and another featuring a screen mounted on a robotic arm.

Gurman had indicated these devices were unlikely to launch before 2025. However, a report last week from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed a new HomePod with display is expected to launch after WWDC 2025, likely in the third quarter of the year (a shift from Kuo's earlier prediction of a 2024 release). Kuo said he also believes Tianma will be the panel supplier, but he did not mention that it would be an OLED panel. Until now, the going assumption was that a new HomePod would use a lower-quality LCD panel.

The new HomePod will reportedly emphasize smart home functionality more than current models, suggesting a strategic repositioning of the product line. The idea that Apple is aggressively targeting the smart home market follows a recent report by Gurman about Apple developing an all-in-one home management hub with a square-shaped display, thick bezels, and a hemispherical base similar to the iMac G4.

Initial shipment expectations for the new HomePod are relatively modest, with Kuo forecasting approximately 500,000 units in the second half of 2025.

Article Link: New HomePod to Reportedly Feature 6-7 Inch OLED Display

 

[DrJR]

God, I pray it looks like this.

 

[Fll01]

The price tag will be interesting when it will be featuring an A18 and 8GB ram, I expect 350$.

 

[840quadra]

Where is the camera supposed to be in that render?

Not against a HomePod with a screen, but not sure on a camera.

 

[Schnegg]

These devices are moot without a huge Siri improvement.

 

[Arran]

Where is the camera supposed to be in that render?

Not against a HomePod with a screen, but not sure on a camera.

Yep, definitely needs a camera.

Using my iPhone as a continuity camera to FaceTime with my TV is an amazing experience. So much so, I want it to be easier.

 

[apparatchik]

I’m holding out for a refreshed HomePod Mini and/or Apple TV to work as the “brains” of my new matter smart home setup, how much longer would I have to wait for either of those?

Not really interested on a full HomePod or one with a screen.

 

[wanha]

The price tag will be interesting when it will be featuring an A18 and 8GB ram, I expect 350$.

The quality of the speakers and microphones will also play a part. Personally, I really hope they don't cheap out on the sound quality

 

[CausticSoda]

Zero interest in this for me. I do realise I will likely be in a minority on this forum, but I find my Apple Watch, iPhone and MacBook Air do all I want and generally do it very well. I tried living with an iPad as well for a while, but soon got rid of it. I don't want more devices to keep charged, updated and upgraded every few years. And I definitely don't want a "Smart Home." This may be a generational thing.

 

[Powerbooky]

Don't like that oval design. I'd say keep it round like the current one, and no camera!
But I'd rather prefer full 802.11ax or 802.11be wifi support and surround. A display? Mweh...makes it expensive.

 

[wanha]

I’m holding out for a refreshed HomePod Mini and/or Apple TV to work as the “brains” of my new matter smart home setup, how much longer would I have to wait for either of those?

Not really interested on a full HomePod or one with a screen.

Who exactly are you asking?

We're all in the dark just like you and all our matches are wet

 

[WatermelonSugarHigh]

Please add FM-radio and the possibility to use it without cabel.

 

[wanha]

These devices are moot without a huge Siri improvement.

It's coming. Apple simply can't afford not to ship a proper LLM powered Siri, but it may take a while (WWDC 25 at the earliest)

 

[johntherazz]

“Initial shipment expectations for the new HomePod are relatively modest”
Hardly surprising to those of us who bought and initially loved the sound of our HomePods. We have waited for years for basic functionality which often never appeared (eg: play Apple Music to a stereo pair from Mac? We waited 2 years. Play radio? Not without a £10 month app subscription. Play surround sound from our Apple TVs? A big fat ‘nope’.). Not to mention their high failure rates (see all the dead HomePods on eBay). We should be queuing up for these new devices but instead they’re going to have to find a whole new set of customers.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The price tag will be interesting when it will be featuring an A18 and 8GB ram, I expect 350$.

Haha. Much more Apple precious, magical RAM, latest chip and a “far superior” Apple screen for barely $50 more than the one without all that? Swap the 3 and the 5 at least. My guess is starting at $499-$649.

 

[klasma]

I’m holding out for a refreshed HomePod Mini and/or Apple TV to work as the “brains” of my new matter smart home setup, how much longer would I have to wait for either of those?

Not really interested on a full HomePod or one with a screen.

It's not clear what exactly would be improved. A $99 HomePod mini probably won't get local AI capabilities.

 

[Fll01]

Haha. Much more Apple precious, magical RAM, latest chip and a “far superior”, Apple screen for barely $50 more than the one without all that? Swap the 3 and the 5 at least. My guess is starting at $499-649.

You forgot the typical decay and that the cheaper iphone se (with modem etc) will be in similar range.
I also expect it to be “extended” with some additional monthly service (Apple Intelligence+ *cough*). But yeah probably more like 399$ at the start.

You forgot that Apple must include their new magical Siri (when it comes in 1-2 years broadly) also to the lower product range. No one wants a dumb Siri in 2025/26

 

[LeoCastillo]

God, I pray it looks like this.

6.7 inch screen? Isn’t that the size of the iPhone Pro Max?

I’m guessing it will use the same screen as the Pro Max, not this capsule one.

 

[klasma]

Please add FM-radio and the possibility to use it without cabel.

A radio without antenna cable will have poor reception.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

“Initial shipment expectations for the new HomePod are relatively modest”
Hardly surprising to those of us who bought and initially loved the sound of our HomePods. We have waited for years for basic functionality which often never appeared (eg: play Apple Music to a stereo pair from Mac? We waited 2 years. Play radio? Not without a £10 month app subscription. Play surround sound from our Apple TVs? A big fat ‘nope’.). Not to mention their high failure rates (see all the dead HomePods on eBay). We should be queuing up for these new devices but instead they’re going to have to find a whole new set of customers.

• The “dumb” portion of quality speakers (that is, the part we actually hear) can sound just as good several decades AFTER purchase.
• Apple “smarts” glommed onto the dumb parts are doomed to need replacement every few years by becoming obsolete or made so by corp decisions to “vintage.”

Choose your “good” speakers wisely.

Hint: the same “smarts” and SIRI are ALREADY built into your AppleTV, iDevices and Macs.

 

[chfilm]

they better have the new LLM Siri ready for this!

 

[x86dude]

These devices are moot without a huge Siri improvement.

I think the idea of the touch screen is to replace Siri which was a failure.

 

[Takeo]

I wonder if this will be in addition to the current lineup… or replace the HomePod or HomePod Mini? Might make more sense as a Mini replacement if the focus is more on "smart home hub" than on sound quality. Personally the only thing I'd really be interested in is better sound quality. The HomePod is ok and the imaging (thanks to computational audio I imagine) is great… even breathtaking at times… but it definitely lacks the effortless power and projection of my old wired Infinity towers.

 

[apparatchik]

It's not clear what exactly would be improved. A $99 HomePod mini probably won't get local AI capabilities.

Well, upgraded connectivity for one, I would like for it to at least have the latest or upgraded WiFi / Bluetooth / UWB versions.

It doesn’t feel right to buy a 4 year old device for a new setup when an upgraded version might be around the corner.

My home setup is now WiFi 7, etc.

 

[Agent007]

I think this and the "Home device that might have a robotic arm on a pro version" are the same thing. The same lethargic, low-inspiration, solution-in-search-of-a-problem garbage every other tech company is pumping out. I expect we'll need dedicated landfills for failed/obsolete Home devices alone.