Apple is preparing to refresh its smart home and media lineup with a new full-sized HomePod, alongside updated HomePod mini and Apple TV models, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirmed during a recent live Q&A session. While the timing remains tied closely to the rollout of Apple’s upgraded Siri, expected in iOS 17 later this year, the hardware updates are anticipated in 2026.
Despite the full-sized HomePod receiving a refresh as recently as January 2023, Apple is gearing up for another iteration. Gurman confirmed that all three devices – HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV – are currently awaiting the debut of a more personalized Siri experience powered by Apple’s evolving AI capabilities. This new assistant is slated to arrive with iOS 17, which will enter beta this June and reach all compatible iPhones by September.
Apple’s retail channels are already running low on inventory of these products, a classic sign that updates are imminent. The current Apple TV 4K has been on shelves since October 2022, and the HomePod mini’s last update was in October 2020, making both overdue for upgrades. Rumors suggest the next Apple TV will feature the A17 Pro chip, providing a solid performance boost, while also adopting Apple’s N1 chip to enable Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity.
The HomePod mini could see a notable internal upgrade to an Apple Watch-derived S9 chip or newer, aimed at boosting efficiency and supporting the richer Siri experience expected in iOS 17. Additional rumored enhancements include better sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and possibly a fresh red color variant. However, exactly how the chip will drive Apple’s improved voice assistant experience remains somewhat unclear.
Apple HomePod and Apple TV upgrade details for 2026
With Apple synchronizing these updates around the AI-based Siri revamp, the company seems intent on delivering a more cohesive ecosystem of voice-controlled devices. This strategy highlights Apple’s focus on smarter, context-aware assistants to push its home devices beyond simple smart speaker functionality.
As it stands, new HomePod and Apple TV models are expected to arrive in late 2026, leveraging the software improvements introduced with iOS 17. Given that Apple has been prepping these hardware updates since last year, we can expect the devices to showcase several enhancements that take full advantage of Apple’s latest chips and wireless standards.
- New full-sized HomePod model
- Updated HomePod mini with S9 or newer chip
- Apple TV with A17 Pro chip and N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread support
- Enhanced Siri experience linked to iOS 17 rollout in 2024
- Possible new HomePod mini red color option
- Improved sound quality and Ultra Wideband chip enhancements