HomePod 3 with display: Rumors & launch date of HomePod Contact
Foundry and Apple
- Doable launch: early to mid 2026
- Show dimension: Touchscreen 6 and 7-inches
- Software program: Customized touchscreen working system working apps like Climate, Calendar, Photographs, HomeKit in addition to Apple Music
The HomePod mini has a bigger sibling and even greater issues are rumored for that mannequin.
One of many HomePod’s largest limitations is its reliance on Siri, which nonetheless struggles with advanced instructions. Many customers find yourself controlling the speaker through their iPhone as an alternative, which could be inconvenient and drain battery life. A built-in display might present a extra direct and dependable solution to work together with the system.
There has lengthy been hypothesis Apple is engaged on a HomePod with a built-in show, which could possibly be known as HomePod Contact. This system is anticipated to function a 6-7-inch touchscreen that may enable the HomePod to operate as a wise hub with apps and visuals as well as a wise speaker.
This new HomePod would run homeOS or an analogous touch-optimized UI for apps like Climate, Calendar, Photographs, Apple Music, and HomeKit.
Apple has been working redesigning the HomePod to incorporate a show for a while. Again in March 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple would “unveil a redesigned HomePod that includes a 7-inch panel.” Kuo initially anticipated this product to reach within the first half of 2024, however that timeline slipped. In December 2024, he reported additional delays had pushined the launch to after WWDC 2025, citing software program improvement challenges. Then, in March 2025, Kuo prompt the system had been delayed once more, as a consequence of Apple Intelligence setbacks.
Present hypothesis suggests a attainable launch within the first half of 2026, nonetheless, that might slip additional as the most important updates to Siri and Apple’s AI platform have been additional delayed. Alternatively, the HomePod Contact could achieve AI associated options as a part of a later software program replace.
HomePod with show incoming?
Foundry
HomePod Contact: Options & specs
As with the HomePod mini 2, the touchscreen HomePod is anticipated to function a chip able to supporting the AI-enhanced Siri, however it’ll additionally have to assist a customized touchscreen working system, probably derived from tvOS. Given the calls for of such a touchscreen interface and superior software program, this could doubtless imply A-series and even M-series silicon, probably an A17 Professional.
Relatively than simply being a speaker with a display, it’s thought the system can be a central good dwelling controller with enhanced HomeKit and Matter system management, doubtlessly rivalling Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Present units.
Different anticipated options embrace:
- Specs: Apple’s N1 networking chip, Wi-Fi 6E assist, and an upgraded U2 Extremely Wideband chip for improved system handoff.
- Modular design: Some rumors level to a modular design, the place a screen-based hub might magnetically dock onto a full-size HomePod speaker. This might enable the system to operate as a stationary high-fidelity speaker whereas additionally supporting FaceTime calls and good dwelling administration.
- Show: The show is broadly rumored to measure round 7-inches, placing it in direct competitors with good shows from Amazon and Google.
Ben Patterson/Foundry
HomePod Contact: Design
Not like present HomePods, which depend on a small LED floor for controls and animations, this mannequin is anticipated to function a 7-inch full show able to exhibiting helpful info and performing as a touchscreen management interface.
A while in the past Swiss web site Helpful Abovergleich and designer Eric Huismann created a sequence of idea illustrations of how this new era of HomePod might look. Right here’s how they think about the HomePod Present—a speaker with a digicam and a small touchscreen—might look.
Foundry
Nonetheless, this up to date HomePod might supply much more than a display to faucet whenever you need to select a playlist or skip a observe. There are rumors that recommend placing a display on HomePod might rework it into a brand new system solely.
