At the end of 2024, the first concrete rumors about a new generation of Apple TV and HomePod mini surfaced. Since then, some time has passed, and Apple has released a whole range of other products in the meantime – just not these two. This is surprising, because the Apple TV and HomePod mini are among the devices in the Apple ecosystem that have been waiting the longest for an update.
Below we will examine why the market launch is delayed, what role Siri and Apple Intelligence play in this, what is known about the technical specifications, and in what timeframe an announcement can be expected.
Seven new products, but no Apple TV
Apple unveiled seven new products this week. From the iPhone 17e and various Mac models to the MacBook Neo, the lineup was quite impressive. However, two devices that have been the subject of speculation for months were conspicuously absent: the new Apple TV and the new HomePod mini.
Rumors about both products date back to the end of 2024. Various leakers and industry insiders have repeatedly released details since then. It's no coincidence that Apple didn't unveil the devices alongside its other new releases. The delay has a specific reason, and it's directly related to the biggest software project Apple is currently working on: the revamped version of Siri.
Siri and Apple Intelligence as the core problem
In September, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported that both the next Apple TV and the next HomePod mini would support a more personalized version of Siri. This new Siri variant is powered by Apple Intelligence and is said to be significantly more powerful than the current version. Apple had originally planned to release this revamped Siri last year. As we know, that didn't happen – development took longer than expected.
And that's precisely the point: Because the new Siri was delayed, the Apple TV and HomePod mini were apparently also delayed. The new Siri isn't just meant to be a nice extra feature on these devices, but a key selling point. A hardware update without the accompanying software revolution would likely not create the desired impression from Apple's perspective.
It also seems likely that Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will be delayed by the Siri issue. Apple appears to be planning a bundled presentation of several Home products, with the more personalized Siri serving as the unifying element.
Why Apple released other products anyway
It seems contradictory at first glance: Apple is releasing seven new products, but holding back the Apple TV and HomePod mini. The difference lies in the emphasis placed on Siri. The devices unveiled this week, such as the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo, will receive the more personalized Siri version later via a software update. However, they are not primarily designed for this feature. The new Apple TV and the HomePod mini, on the other hand, are intended to showcase the revamped Siri as their main selling point. Without this feature, the new product launches would simply be less compelling.
Apple could therefore announce a whole range of new Home products specifically designed to work with the new Siri. This would explain why the company prefers to wait rather than launching devices without its most important feature.
Google Gemini and the future of Siri
In January, Apple and Google announced that Google Gemini would help power future Apple intelligence features, including the more personalized Siri, which is expected to launch later this year. This partnership is noteworthy because it demonstrates Apple's open reliance on external AI expertise to elevate its voice assistant to a new level.
Apple has not yet communicated a more precise timeline. According to Gurman, the personalized Siri features are currently planned for either iOS 26.5 or iOS 27. Both of these options provide a rough framework for when to expect the new Siri – and thus also the new Apple TV and HomePod mini.
The possible timeframe for the new Apple TV
iOS 26.5 is expected to be released in May, following a beta testing phase that should begin in April. iOS 27, in turn, will most likely be unveiled at the annual WWDC developers conference in June. This update should then be available to all users in September.
At the same time, corresponding tvOS and HomePod software updates are also expected to be released. In other words, the new Apple TV and the HomePod mini might not be announced until between April and September of this year. Anyone hoping for either of these devices will therefore have to wait a few more months.
Technical details: What the new Apple TV will contain
Previous rumors suggested that the next Apple TV would be equipped with the A17 Pro chip. This is the oldest chip that fully supports Apple Intelligence – a clear indication that AI integration will play a central role in the new Apple TV.
Furthermore, the device is expected to feature Apple's own N1 chip. This enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity.
What to expect from the new HomePod mini
The HomePod mini is expected to use the S9 chip from the Apple Watch or an even newer processor. However, it's not yet entirely clear to what extent this chip will be able to fully support the revamped Siri functionality with Apple Intelligence. It's conceivable that certain AI calculations will be offloaded to other devices on the network or to the cloud.
Other rumored new features include the N1 chip for improved connectivity, noticeably improved sound quality, a newer ultra-wideband chip, and a new red color option. The improved sound quality, in particular, is likely to be a selling point for many, as the current HomePod mini, despite its compact size, certainly has room for improvement in terms of sound.
Apple's smart home hub: Also on hold
Besides Apple TV and HomePod mini, rumors have been circulating for some time about a completely new product: a dedicated smart home hub from Apple. This device is intended to serve as the central control unit for the entire smart home ecosystem and will most likely also rely heavily on the new Siri version.
It seems likely that Apple intends to present all three products – Apple TV, HomePod mini, and smart home hub – together. A bundled announcement would showcase the new Siri as a unifying element and market the home experience as a complete package. A single product without the others would undermine this strategy.
How old are the current models?
The current Apple TV was introduced in October 2022. At this point, it's already over three years old. The HomePod mini is even older: it launched in October 2020, more than five years ago. Both devices are therefore long overdue for an upgrade, which explains the impatience of many users.
To sum it up: No Apple TV without the new Siri
The delay of the new Apple TV and HomePod mini has a clear reason: Apple is waiting for the final version of the revamped Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence. The partnership with Google Gemini underscores the ambition to deliver a truly powerful voice assistant that surpasses what Siri has been capable of so far.
The most likely timeframe for an announcement is between April and September 2026. This depends on whether the personalized Siri features arrive with iOS 26.5 or not until iOS 27. tvOS and HomePod software updates are also expected to be released at the same time.
On the hardware side, the Apple TV is expected to feature the A17 Pro chip and the N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The HomePod mini is rumored to get the S9 chip or newer, along with the N1 chip, improved sound, a newer ultra-wideband chip, and a red color option. Additionally, the long-rumored smart home hub is also expected to be part of the announcement.
Ultimately, it remains a test of patience. But if Apple delivers on the rumors, the wait could be worthwhile. The next few months will show whether the more personalized Siri actually makes the difference Apple hopes for. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Pascal Huot)
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