Apple's plans to bring a HomePod with screen The smart speaker is moving towards the living room, but at a slower pace than many expected. After months of leaks and schedule changes, the general feeling is that this smart speaker with an integrated panel is going to... It will arrive, but it will make you wait., fitting into a broader brand strategy in the connected home.
The latest information suggests that the device, informally known as HomePadIt won't be an imminent spring launch, but a product designed for the final stretch of the yearThis is when Apple typically focuses a large portion of its hardware announcements. This aligns with its reliance on the new Siri based on Apple Intelligence, which is still being rolled out.
A launch that moves to the fall
Although a release date between late 2025 and early 2026 was long discussed, the most recent leaks now narrow down the launch window for the HomePod with screen coming in the fallIn practice, this would place its presentation in the period that runs approximately from the second half of September to the first weeks of December, coinciding with Apple's most intense period of announcements.
Within that timeframe, one of the strongest possibilities is that the speaker with a screen will share the stage with the iPhone 18 and the highly anticipated foldable iPhoneTaking advantage of the high visibility that the September keynote usually receives. It's possible, however, that Apple might reserve it for a later event. october or november, usual dates for renewing Mac and other home products.
Behind this calendar shift lies the central role that will be played the new Siri powered by Apple IntelligenceLaunching a speaker whose main appeal is voice interaction without having the latest version of the assistant ready would have made little sense. The company would have preferred to delay the hardware and time its release with a much more mature software.
Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly already defined an atypical production chain for this device. Instead of the classic route for the first products in China, sources indicate that BYD will handle assembly in Vietnam, marking a new step in the geographical diversification of manufacturing and in cost reduction in a category where price competition is very aggressive.
A HomePod with a screen designed for the smart home
The idea of ​​a HomePod with built-in display It's been circulating in the halls of Cupertino for years, but it gained particular momentum in late 2024. At that time, Apple shifted some of its efforts toward advanced home devices, a move interpreted as a way of repurpose technology developed for cancelled projects like the Apple Car.
This new speaker would be positioned as header of a future family of home productsMore capable speakers, potential smart doorbells with facial recognition, and even their own security cameras. In this strategy, the HomePod with a screen would be the visible device, placed in central areas of the home to manage music, home automation, calls, and multimedia content.
Following the lead of other manufacturers, Apple would opt for two formats with the same technical core, but different uses. On the one hand, a model of dessertwith a screen mounted on a speaker base similar to an oversized HomePod mini. On the other hand, a version designed to be hung on the wall, with clear aspirations to become a fixed control panel for the house, especially in entrances, kitchens or hallways.
Internally, this project has been handled under several code names, such as HomeAccessoryand falls within the next generation of AirPlay accessories. The goal is for it to fit seamlessly into the existing ecosystem, leveraging everything built on tvOS and watchOS and creating its own system, tentatively known as home OS.
For Europe, and particularly for the Spanish market, the focus on the connected home is significant: compatibility with HomeKit, Matter, and the services already available This will be key to making the device make sense beyond the United States, where Apple's roadmap is usually initially focused.
The screen: 7 inches, widgets, and a familiar interface
The main difference compared to the current HomePod will, logically, be the integrated LCD displayThe reports agree on a panel of approximately seven incheswith rather square proportions, and a design reminiscent of a mix between an iPad mini and an Apple Watch, adapted to a speaker format.
Apple would have opted for LCD panels supplied by Tianma MicroelectronicsInstead of resorting to more expensive display technologies like OLED or mini-LED, the decision is not accidental: using less expensive components would allow the product's price to remain more competitive against speakers from Amazon, Google, and other manufacturers with similar displays.
As for the interface, the idea is to play with something already familiar to many users. A positive experience is expected. very similar to the iPhone's Standby modewith customizable watch faces, informative widgets, photo frames, and readily accessible smart home controls. Based on this, the screen would serve both to view contextual information and to operate the system via touch.
The square format also opens the door to reuse Apple Watch interface componentsThis would allow Apple to accelerate software development and offer, from day one, complications, watch faces, home activity indicators, and playback controls adapted to a screen that is neither a typical mobile phone nor a tablet.
The touch component will not replace the voiceBut it will complement the experience: adjusting the volume, changing playlists, checking calendar widgets, or checking security cameras without speaking can be, in many home environments, more convenient and discreet.
Operating system, apps and planned features
Beneath that screen would run a new operating system derived from tvOS and watchOS, currently known as home OSIt wouldn't be a closed system like the first HomePod, but a more flexible platform, designed to coexist with current Apple apps and services and, presumably, with selected third-party applications.
Among the features that practically guarantee leaks is a deep integration with Apple Musicwhich would remain the device's flagship app. The question is whether the user will be able to install apps from a proprietary store of the speaker or whether the setup will be managed from the iPhone, as is the case with the Apple Watch. For now, the indications point to control heavily linked to the phone, at least in the first generation.
In any case, the HomePod with a screen will function as a AirPlay receiver Complete: photos, videos, and music can be sent from iPhone, iPad, or Mac, just like with the Apple TV 4K. This would position it as a more compact alternative for those who don't want or can't have a dedicated TV for these functions in certain rooms.
The video calling feature is another area where issues are being addressed. Rumors suggest the possibility of... make FaceTime calls directly from the device, but it is not yet clear whether it will incorporate its own camera or if it will rely on the function of camera in continuity with the iPhoneThere has also been mention of a concept closer to a wall-mounted iPad, capable of recognizing the user's face and adapting content and environments according to the person who approaches.
Although some details are still being finalized, the ultimate goal is for the speaker with a screen to become the smart home operations center: control of lights, blinds, climate control, cameras, doorbells and programmed scenes, all accessible both by voice and from the touch interface itself.
Siri, Apple Intelligence, and the role of AI
If there's one element that shapes the entire project, it's Siri. Apple is working on a a much more capable and conversational version of the assistantPowered by Apple Intelligence, the HomePod with a screen would be one of the main showcases of that evolution at home.
Two paths have been tested for the Siri's new visual interface On this device: an animated Finder icon representing the assistant and a Memoji-like character that adapts its expression to each context. In both cases, the idea is to make Siri's on-screen presence clearer and more visual, moving away from the simple illuminated sphere seen on current speakers.
The combination of improved microphones, computing power, and Apple Intelligence would allow for the execution of fairly complex requests, such as "Find me the last photo I took in Paris and send it to my mother."managing multiple steps between apps without requiring user intervention at each stage. This logic is particularly well-suited to a fixed device at home, designed to be shared by the whole family.
Despite the focus on voice, Apple won't neglect those who prefer touch control. The interface will be somewhat reminiscent of the apps on Apple TV and Apple Watch, with Large icons, cards, and simple menusso that it is also manageable for users less accustomed to talking to devices.
This balance between spoken and tactile interaction will be crucial for its reception in markets like Spain, where the intensive use of voice assistants at home It is not yet as widespread as in other countries, and where many users may prefer to continue relying on the screen.
Sound, internal hardware and expected power
In the audio field, expectations are high. It is expected that the HomePod with screen maintains a similar level to the current HomePodWith high-fidelity sound, spatial audio, and advanced bass and volume management, the goal is to ensure that the addition of the screen does not compromise the sound quality that characterizes the range.
To support the intelligent part, the leaks point to a significant leap in processing powerOne possibility being considered is the use of an A18 chip, the same one that will be seen in the iPhone 16 and, according to some reports, in new entry-level MacBooks. Another option being considered is the reuse of the A17 Pro, already found in high-end iPhones and the iPad mini.
This level of hardware would not only help to move the interface smoothly, but would also be fundamental for many of its functions to work. Apple Intelligence can run locallywithout always depending on the cloud. Something key in Europe, where privacy and the processing of personal data are especially monitored.
Also expected is a high-quality microphone arrayDesigned to capture voices even with music or background noise, and to allow for reasonably clear audio and video calls, this is an area where Apple has already demonstrated clear progress in recent iPhones, and where the speaker could benefit from that experience.
As for the exterior design, Apple will most likely repeat the acoustic fabric mesh and classic toneswith versions in white and dark gray or space gray. An expanded color palette is possible later, but the first units will likely be quite discreet, designed to blend into living rooms and kitchens without drawing too much attention.
Two formats: desktop and wall mounted
The company would be preparing two physical variants of the same device, with virtually identical hardware but different approaches to use, internally identified as J490 and J491.
The first would be a HomePod with desktop displayIt features a seven-inch screen mounted on a speaker-like base. Its appearance is reminiscent of an elongated HomePod mini, with the screen occupying the front. This version is designed for coffee tables, shelves, desks, or kitchen countertops.
The second option would bet on a wall formatDesigned for permanent mounting, this system would primarily serve as a home control panel, always visible upon entering the house or passing through key access points. In European homes, where space is often more limited than in many American houses, this type of installation could be particularly useful.
Both options would share the same operating system, power, audio quality, and Siri features, so the choice would depend more on the layout of the home and the usage habits of each family than on fundamental technical differences.
This dual-format approach fits with the industry trend to offer smart displays, both mobile and fixed, and would allow Apple to compete more directly with Google and Amazon's offerings in the same segment.
Estimated price and market fit
One of the big unknowns is how much this HomePod with a screen will cost when it hits stores. Looking at the current range, the The HomePod mini is priced around 109 euros In Spain, the full-size HomePod costs around 349 euros, which already sets a certain benchmark.
Leaks suggest that Apple I would like to price the model with a screen around $350Translated to the European context, and taking into account taxes and currency exchange rates, it is reasonable to expect a price range similar to or slightly higher than the current 349 euros of the HomePod, without approaching the 600 euros that had been speculated in its early stages of development.
To achieve this, the company would be cutting costs on several fronts: cheaper LCD panels, Production moved to Vietnam and agreements with less common suppliers in their high-end range. All this with the intention of offering a product that isn't too far removed from the prices of their direct competitors in smart displays.
If that price range is ultimately confirmed, the HomePod with a screen would be positioned as a mid-to-high-end product in the Apple ecosystemIt's more expensive than a basic speaker, but significantly cheaper than an iPad or a Mac. In Spain and the rest of Europe, where price is often a major obstacle to expanding the ecosystem, that difference compared to an iPad could be decisive.
Its success will depend largely on how well Apple manages to communicate the added value of having a dedicated home device versus continuing to use an iPhone or iPad on a stand. If the integration with Siri, Apple Intelligence, and home automation is robust enough, the speaker with a screen could find its niche without too much trouble.
With all this context, the picture that emerges is one of a HomePod with a real and increasingly defined screenBut its release date has been pushed back as Apple has adjusted its artificial intelligence plans and home strategy. If the timeline holds, next fall should finally be the moment when we see this device move beyond the realm of rumors and take its place on the living room tables of many users, including in Spain and the rest of Europe.
