Apple HomePod Update: New 7-Inch Smart Home Display and A18 Chip Set for Late 2025 Release

Apple is gearing up to enhance the HomePod experience by introducing smart home functionalities, along with a new device specifically designed for HomeKit-enabled accessories. This innovative product is set to feature a 6 to 7-inch display powered by the advanced A18 chip, enabling sophisticated AI capabilities.

Delay in Launch of Apple’s Smart Display HomePod Until Late 2025

Initially, the new HomePod was expected to merge the elements of a traditional HomePod with that of an iPad, presenting a larger interactive display. However, recent insights from Ming-Chi Kuo reveal that the display size will be more compact, ranging between 6 to 7 inches. This smaller format will serve as the primary interface for users to engage with the device.

Apple aims to integrate advanced AI features into the new HomePod, enhancing Siri’s capabilities for a more intelligent user experience. Despite the readiness of the hardware, Kuo notes that ongoing software development challenges are responsible for the postponement. Reports suggest the device may introduce a new operating system termed homeOS, which will receive regular updates akin to Apple’s existing software ecosystems.

The company has been exploring various iterations of the HomePod. There have been whispers of an upcoming version featuring a robotic arm, and it is unclear whether Apple will reveal multiple models in the year ahead. Earlier speculations hinted at a launch in the first half of 2025, potentially coinciding with the release of the M3 iPad Air and M4 MacBook Air.

To showcase the HomePod’s capabilities, launching it in late 2025 aligns well with Apple’s strategy to unveil new products at its annual WWDC event. The introduction of significant Apple Intelligence upgrades alongside iOS 19 could provide the perfect backdrop for introducing the homeOS tailored for this smart display.

Kuo highlights that this HomePod will represent a strategic pivot in Apple’s product lineup, specifically targeting the burgeoning smart home market. Insights from analyst Mark Gurman further corroborate this shift, suggesting that the upcoming device will function as a comprehensive home management system, featuring a square-shaped display with pronounced bezels reminiscent of the iPad design.

Initial production estimates project around 500,000 units for the smart display HomePod by late 2025, with Tianma Microelectronics confirmed as the exclusive supplier for its display components. Additionally, Apple plans to introduce a range of accessories designed to wirelessly integrate with the new HomePod. More updates will follow as additional details emerge.

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