Apple’s Display-Equipped HomePod Faces Delays, Now Slated for Late 2025
Production delays push Apple’s innovative HomePod with display to late 2025, focusing on smart home integration.
Apple’s much-anticipated HomePod model featuring a built-in display has encountered multiple production delays, with mass production now expected to commence after the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, typically held in June. Initially planned for a 2024 release, the timeline was later moved to early 2025, and has now been further pushed to late 2025, according to prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The delays primarily stem from challenges in software development, a critical component for the device’s functionality. This new iteration of the HomePod is expected to feature a 6 or 7-inch display powered by Apple’s A18 processor. It will also integrate with Apple Intelligence, marking a significant upgrade for Apple’s smart speaker lineup. Unlike the current HomePod models, which emphasize audio quality and Siri-based interactions, this upcoming version is designed to focus heavily on smart home capabilities, reflecting Apple’s strategic repositioning within the rapidly expanding smart home market.
Ming-Chi Kuo, in a recent Medium post, highlighted Apple’s history of adapting its products to align with market demands. He cited the evolution of the Apple Watch, which transitioned from a fashion accessory and iPhone companion to becoming a leading health and fitness device. Kuo predicts that the HomePod with a display could follow a similar path, potentially transforming how consumers interact with smart home ecosystems.
In addition to the new HomePod, Apple is reportedly developing a smart home IP camera, scheduled for release in 2026. This device is expected to integrate seamlessly with the display-equipped HomePod, both operating within Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. Recent patent filings also suggest that Apple is exploring identity verification solutions tailored to smart home devices, akin to the functionality of Face ID and Touch ID, aimed at enhancing both security and accessibility.
Apple plans to produce approximately 500,000 units of the display-equipped HomePod for the second half of 2025. If market reception is positive, annual shipments could surpass one million units, underscoring the product’s potential impact.
These developments demonstrate Apple’s commitment to innovating in the smart home space and could signal the beginning of a new era for the company’s smart home devices.