Apple has readied an expansive overhaul of its smart home lineup, featuring a new HomePad hub with base and wall-mounting options, a refreshed HomePod mini, and updated Apple TV 4K hardware. The incoming devices are designed to finally support Siri AI capabilities running locally.
macOS Code Leak Reveals the Next Wave of Home Hardware
At the center of the hardware disclosures are two variants of a long-awaited tabletop hub carrying the internal codename HomePad. Hardware identifiers J490 and J491 separate the devices by mounting style.
Beyond the core hub hardware, the operating system leak revealed several adjacent product lines. Code strings point to a successor for the compact speaker under the identifier B525, succeeding the original B520 HomePod mini. Investigators also uncovered references to an unreleased security camera device designated as J229, alongside new Siri Remote hardware carrying the internal designation ATVRemote1,5. Internal strings similarly referenced a homeOS operating system codename, Pebble,
and an audio_accessory_visual_reasoning
string linked to the incoming display units. Unspecified Home accessories were found tied to four color options: Rose Pink, Silver, Space Gray, and Starlight.
Processor Upgrades and Timeline for the Smart Display and Hubs
The push into refreshed home hardware follows years of stagnant product cycles for the company’s existing audio and television accessories, largely caused by delays in deploying advanced assistant software.
Imminent hardware releases slated for later this fall include an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K. The compact speaker is expected to jump from its older S5 processor to an S9 chip or newer, incorporating wireless improvements and fresh color options. Meanwhile, the upcoming set-top box will trade its A15 Bionic processor for an A17 Pro chip, bringing local processing power sufficient to handle Apple Intelligence features. Current retail pricing remains pegged at $129 for the compact speaker and $199 for the streaming box, figures established during mid-year price adjustments.
The standalone smart display is scheduled for release between October and early next year,
positioning it to potentially arrive alongside the autumn hardware refresh or shortly afterward. Built with a 7-inch square screen, the device will run homeOS to handle video calls, smart home equipment management, and local assistant tasks powered by an A18 chip. Further down the production timeline, the company is developing a more advanced tabletop robotic version featuring a larger 9-inch display mounted to a robotic arm, alongside dedicated branded security cameras and smart doorbells.
Broader Overhauls Ahead in Mobile Hardware
Apple’s hardware overhaul extends well beyond fixed stationary electronics, with mobile product lines also facing structural transformations. CNET reported that industry analysts anticipate an upcoming foldable mobile device will introduce the most significant design shift in the product line’s history.
According to commentary from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman cited in the CNET report, the foldable model represents the most significant overhaul
and a whole new design,
marking the first actual form-factor change
since the introduction of early benchmark handsets like the iPhone 4, 6, and X. Design predictions from Ming-Chi Kuo detail a device featuring a 5.5-inch outer screen that expands into a 7.8-inch internal display, secured by a stainless steel and titanium alloy hinge alongside dual rear cameras and a side-mounted Touch ID button.
Pricing for the book-style device is projected to land between $2,000 and $2,500, aligning with existing high-end foldable handsets on the market. Managing editor Patrick Holland noted in the CNET coverage that entering this product category allows the company to refine existing industry shortcomings.
“If Apple were to launch an iPhone Fold, it would likely come with a design that solves or answers many of the biggest shortcomings that foldables currently have: software, durability, the screen crease and showing the benefit over a regular iPhone.”
Patrick Holland, Managing Editor, CNET
Production timelines place the potential debut of the foldable device alongside traditional autumn releases, though questions remain regarding manufacturing scale and market adoption as the company prepares its most extensive product transition cycle to date.
Related reading
