Apple plans to release a new "HomePod" with a 7-inch LCD display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support in 2025, according to .It is unclear how much the screen-equipped HomePod would cost, but Apple is seemingly aiming for a reasonable price.In a paywalled report this week, the supply chain publication said Apple has selected China-based manufacturer Tianma to supply the LCD panels for the device, at an "exceptionally competitive" price of $10 per panel.
The low cost of this component would likely contribute to the device being more affordable.A screen-equipped HomePod has been rumored several times over the past few years.Earlier this month, for example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly said that a HomePod with a 6-to-7-inch display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support would enter mass production in the second half of 2025.
Kuo said smart home capabilities would be a core aspect of the device, so it sounds like rumors about a screen-equipped HomePod and Apple's rumored smart home hub are referring to the same product coming next year.'s Mark Gurman last month said Apple's smart home hub looks like a "square iPad," with a roughly 6-inch screen.He said the hub can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall.
It will run a new "homeOS" operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen, and revolve around Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit, he added.The hub could double as a home security system by displaying camera footage, and it is said to have a built-in camera that allows for FaceTime video calls.Apple's hub would compete with products like Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show, which are priced in the $150 to $300 range.
Kuo and Gurman both said Apple is also planning a wireless security camera that would work with the hub.It is unclear if Apple will actually use HomePod branding for the home hub, or if it will opt for all-new naming.It is also unclear if the current HomePod speaker will be updated next year, but a new HomePod mini is expected to launch next year.
