Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Wednesday repeated his prediction that Apple will begin mass production of its new HomePod with a screen in the third quarter of 2025.
Three months ago, I predicted that mass production of the new display-equipped HomePod would slip from 1Q25 to 3Q25 (after WWDC) due to software development issues. Beyond Apple Intelligence, the issues also involve ensuring the HomePod’s interface aligns with new OS updates… https://t.co/wg4EazzTW3
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 12, 2025
Kuo appears to be referring to Apple’s much-rumored smart home hub, which is expected to sport a square iPad-like screen.
Apple’s new smart speaker is expected to boast a 6.7-inch display and be powered by Apple’s A18 processor, with support for Apple Intelligence. Kuo says the delay is primarily due to software development issues.
We’ve been seeing rumors about a new HomePod with a display since 2021. Several versions are said to be in development, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicating several variants with screens were under development, including one with a screen mounted on a robotic arm, as well as one with an iPad-like display. Gurman indicated these devices would debut sometime before 2025.
The new HomePod is expected to emphasize smart home features more than current models do.
