Apple delays Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini refresh to align with Siri update
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the refreshed devices will feature internal chip improvements while retaining existing designs, with the launch now tied to the rollout of Apple Intelligence.
Apple is preparing to release updated versions of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini in the autumn, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The hardware for both devices has been completed for several months and is currently being actively used by Apple employees at its Cupertino campus. Despite the hardware readiness, the launch has been delayed to coincide with the release of the revamped Siri integrated with Apple Intelligence.
The devices are expected to feature the latest internal chips while retaining their existing external designs. The last major update to the Apple TV 4K occurred in 2022, introducing the A15 Bionic chip and increased storage space. Given that the A15 Bionic is the same processor found in the iPhone 14, the current model may lag behind more modern competitors such as the Google TV Streamer or Roku Ultra.
The HomePod mini, released in late 2020, has seen minimal changes since its launch. It received only a cosmetic update, adding a new midnight colourway, in July 2024. Gurman noted that the upcoming refresh should not bring new features or design alterations, although there is a chance the Apple TV 4K remote may undergo a minor change.
The delay in releasing these devices was driven by the timeline for the new Siri software. According to Gurman, the devices were originally scheduled to launch alongside the updated Siri but were pushed back for many months due to the rocky launch of the revamped Siri with Apple Intelligence. The refreshed hardware is now intended to serve as a platform to demonstrate Siri’s improvements.
With the overhauled Siri expected to roll out in the autumn, Apple’s refreshed set-top box and mini smart speaker will be available to showcase these software enhancements. The exact timing of the autumn release has not been confirmed, nor has the specific nature of the latest chips beyond implying an upgrade from the A15 Bionic.
