Apple is said to have a new version of HomePod and a new generation of Apple TV 4K hardware ready, but the launch time of both products is now tied to a new Siri upgrade that has been delayed many times. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman pointed out that Apple plans to launch a smart home hub device equipped with a new generation of Siri capabilities in September this year, and the updated Apple TV and HomePod are also bound to this set of "new artificial intelligence functions."
Rumors about a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K have been emerging since 2024. Gurman repeatedly stated in 2025 that Apple originally planned to launch related products before the end of that year, but in the end it did not happen, and no new Apple TV or HomePod was released throughout 2025. Last week, Apple held a press conference in early 2026 and launched many new products such as iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo, but it still made no mention of updates to Apple TV and HomePod.
Judging from current signs, Apple seems to be planning to postpone the launch of the new generation of Apple TV 4K and HomePod until the new version of Siri is ready. Apple originally planned to launch a new Siri integrating "Apple Intelligence" in iOS 26.4, but due to reliability issues, this large-scale revision was delayed. The company's current goal is to officially launch the complete new Siri feature in iOS 27 and iPhone 18 Pro at the same time, but some capabilities may not be released in advance in iOS 26.5.
Gurman's latest report uses the general term "HomePod" instead of specifically naming the HomePod mini. However, in many previous reports, he has always said that Apple has prepared a new HomePod mini, so it is unclear whether the large-size HomePod will also be updated simultaneously, or whether this round of upgrades is limited to small-size models.
In terms of hardware configuration, Apple TV 4K has not been updated since 2022. Existing reports say that the new model will be equipped with the A17 Pro processor and Apple's N1 network chip, and the appearance design will not change significantly. The A17 Pro has the computing power to power the "Apple Intelligence" feature, which was used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini models. As for HomePod mini, the new version is expected to use a newer generation Apple Watch processor, and is expected to introduce an N1 network chip and an upgraded ultra-wideband (UWB) chip to improve connection and positioning capabilities.
Overall, Apple's pace in smart home and living room entertainment product lines is becoming more and more closely tied to its AI strategy and the implementation progress of the new generation of Siri. If the new Siri matures and lands in the iOS 27 era as planned, the market may usher in a wave of new hardware updates this fall with the selling point of "intelligent voice and home hub".