Both Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini have not been updated for a long time. The former was launched in 2022, and the latter was launched earlier in 2020. Although the software functions have been continuously updated in recent years, the hardware itself has hardly changed. For those who want to buy it, they are somewhat worried about whether a new model will be released as soon as they buy it. If you have been thinking about it recently, you can wait.
According to the latest issue of Mark Gurman of foreign media Bloomberg《Power On》According to news, Apple seems to be preparing to launch a new generation of Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini this fall, and this time there may not only be changes in appearance and hardware, but also a new version of Siri and Apple Intelligence will be launched together. It seems that the changes will be quite big.
Image source:9to5Mac
Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini rumored to be updated this fall: The focus is not on appearance, but on the new version of Siri and Apple Intelligence
According to foreign media reports, Apple is currently preparing to launch new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini later this year, and pair them with the next-generation Siri update in iOS 27. According to Gurman, these two hardware updates have been suppressed for months because Apple wanted them to be rolled out with new versions of Siri and Apple Intelligence features.
Gurman said that the hardware for the new Apple TV and HomePod mini has actually been completed a few months ago and has even been used among employees at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters in California. It has not been launched yet because Apple hopes to wait until a more personalized version of Siri is ready before it is officially launched.
The new version of Siri is expected to be launched with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, which means it is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, 2026. According to Apple’s past rhythm, the official version of the system is usually launched around September, so the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini may also go on sale this fall.
The current processor of Apple TV 4K is A15 Bionic. If you just use it to watch online streaming video services such as Netflix, Apple TV+, YouTube, Disney+, etc., A15 is actually quite sufficient. However, this time it is rumored that the new Apple TV 4K may be upgraded from A15 to A17 Pro, which also reminds the outside world that Apple may be trying to equip Apple TV with the hardware conditions to support Apple Intelligence.
After all, future versions of Siri will need Apple Intelligence if they want to understand more complex voice commands, connect home devices, and even respond smarter based on what you’re watching.
Compared to Apple TV 4K, the situation with HomePod mini is more subtle. HomePod mini is small in size and has power consumption limitations. It cannot fit in a relatively powerful mobile phone-level chip like Apple TV 4K.
9to5Mac The report also mentioned that it is generally believed that the new HomePod mini may be upgraded from an S5-level chip to an S9. The S9 chip itself should not be enough to run a complete Apple Intelligence model on the local side. Therefore, if HomePod mini does add Apple Intelligence-related functions in the future, it is likely to rely on cloud streaming or Private Cloud Compute.
In addition to the processor, the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are also rumored to be equipped with Apple’s own N1 wireless chip.
As for appearance, the new Apple TV 4K body may be close to the current model, and Apple does not seem to plan to significantly modify it.
But there may be changes to Siri Remote. Gurman mentioned that it is possible that the Apple TV remote will be updated in some form, but it is not yet clear whether it will be a cosmetic overhaul or minor adjustments to internal parts.
Of course, these are still in the breaking stage, and Apple has not officially announced the new Apple TV 4K or HomePod mini, so it’s best to refer to them first.
Source: KOCPC Chinese