A new Apple TV and HomePod Mini could finally launch – there’s just one hurdle holding them back

A new Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini have been rumoured for what feels like forever, but they might finally be contenders for our list of the best streaming sticks and best smart speakers, if the latest rumours prove true.

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According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has had both devices essentially finished for months, with employees already using them internally at Apple Park.And the rumoured reason for the long time to launch? Siri.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple is holding back its new home devices until its much-delayed personalised Siri experience is ready to ship.

That upgraded Siri is now widely expected to arrive as part of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, which Apple is expected to unveil during WWDC 2026 on 8 June. If that rollout stays on track, the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini could arrive later this year, with September looking like the most likely launch window.

Ig true, that would be a fairly long wait. The current Apple TV 4K launched in October 2022, while the HomePod Mini first arrived in October 2020.

When they do land, you probably shouldn’t expect a dramatic redesign. Gurman says the updates are likely to focus mainly on newer chips designed to support Apple’s next-generation Siri features.

Previous rumours have suggested that the next Apple TV could use Apple’s A17 Pro chip – the oldest processor in Apple’s lineup capable of supporting Apple Intelligence – along with a new N1 networking chip that would add support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged.

One potentially more noticeable update could be the remote. Gurman claims Apple is considering some form of Siri Remote refresh, although there’s currently no word on what that might involve or whether the design will actually change.

As for the HomePod Mini, rumours point to a newer Apple Watch-derived chip, improved sound quality, upgraded Ultra Wideband hardware, and even a new red colour option. Exactly how Apple’s more advanced Siri features would work on the speaker, remains unclear.

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.