New Apple HomePod with Smart Home Display delayed again

There have been plenty of rumours lately about Apple returning to the smart home space with a device that could rival something like the Amazon Echo Show 8 (curr. $84.99 on Amazon). For context, almost two years have passed since Apple refreshed the HomePod with a second-generation model. By contrast, the HomePod Mini is now over four years old.

Based on recent rumours, the 'display-equipped HomePod' will rely upon an Apple A18 chipset, which can be found across this year's iPhone 16 series. Moreover, the device is said to support Apple Intelligence, which likely requires the inclusion of at least 8 GB of RAM too. Furthermore, these components are reputed to power a 6-inch or 7-inch display.

According to Mark Gurman, Apple intended to officially introduce its first smart home display around March 2025 as recently as mid-November. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now suggests otherwise, though. Writing on Medium, Kuo clarifies that the next-generation HomePod was originally scheduled for a 2024 release.

However, alleged software development delays have forced Apple to push the device's launch back by up to another six months beyond its rescheduled Q1 2025 release window. Currently, Kuo expects Apple to ship 'around 500,000 units' in the second half of 2025, with an upper estimate of 1 million units if 'market response is positive'.