The Apple HomePad, the company’s long-rumoured smart home hub, could land this fall, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman — in the same launch window as a refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. The tell, per the latest Power On newsletter, is what Apple’s retail stores are doing to prepare.
Gurman reports that Apple is planning “significant” changes to the home sections of its stores this autumn, including rearranging parts of the Avenues and adding accessory bays for the new hardware. He says the scale of the work points to more than routine refreshes:
Apple is preparing significant changes to those sections this fall, including rearranging parts of the Avenues and adding accessory bays to showcase new products. The company is already planning an upgraded Apple TV set-top box and a new HomePod mini for this time frame. But the scale of the retail changes suggests something else is coming: the long-anticipated home hub with a display. The planned modifications appear too extensive to be solely about routine updates to existing products.
Mark Gurman, Power On newsletter
Apple HomePad: what to expect
The Apple HomePad is expected to carry a 7-inch square display and an A18 chip, running a new operating system (homeOS, internally) built around widgets, FaceTime and Siri AI. Two versions have been reported: one with a built-in speaker, and one with magnets on the rear for wall mounting. Apple’s HomePod refresh has been tipped to behave more like an oversized Apple Watch, with the hub as its centre.
What else is coming this fall
A refreshed HomePod mini is expected to move from the S5 to the S9 chip, gain new colour options and, most importantly, support Siri AI. The Apple TV 4K is tipped for a bump from the A15 Bionic to the A17 Pro — a chip that would let Apple Intelligence features run locally — plus a revised Siri Remote. We covered that rumour in June.
The current models are not cheap to replace. Apple TV 4K starts at AED 829 in the UAE, while the HomePod mini sells for about AED 399. Apple hiked those prices in June, and the new versions may hold them.
What it means if you’re shopping in the UAE
Apple’s UAE stores in Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall will see the same retail rework, so the new Home line should reach the country around its global launch. Apple’s September keynote is expected to confirm the lineup — and UAE prices for the new models have not been announced yet.
Earlier reporting had the HomePad arriving between October and early next year; the retail changes suggest it could debut alongside the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K rather than after them. Apple’s September event is already expected to be a busy one.
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What is the difference between the HomePad and HomePod mini?
The HomePad is a new category for Apple: a display-first smart home hub with a 7-inch screen for widgets, FaceTime and Siri AI. The HomePod mini stays a speaker-first device, with the refreshed version expected to add Siri AI support on a newer chip.
When will Apple announce the new Home products?
Apple is expected to hold its September event in the first half of the month, with the date likely confirmed in the coming days. The HomePad, refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K could all appear there.
How much will the Apple HomePad cost?
No price has been confirmed. Earlier reporting floated around $350 (about AED 1,285), and Apple’s June price hikes put the current HomePod mini near AED 399 and Apple TV 4K from AED 829 in the UAE.
