Apple kicked off March 2026 with seven new product launches, including the iPhone 17e, iPad Air M4, and MacBook Neo. It was one of the most packed Apple launch weeks in recent memory. But two devices that have been rumored since late 2024 were nowhere to be seen: the new Apple TV 4K and a refreshed HomePod mini. They were not missing because they are not ready. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, they are ready — Apple is just waiting on Siri.
Both the new Apple TV and the updated HomePod mini are finished from a hardware standpoint. The holdup is Apple’s next-generation Siri, which was meant to ship with iOS 26.4 but has been delayed into iOS 27, expected this September. Apple apparently does not want to launch these smart home products without the AI features that are meant to define them.
Apple TV 4K: What We Know About the New Model
The current Apple TV 4K launched in October 2022, making it the longest Apple has gone without updating a core device in recent memory. The wait is shaping up to be worth it, at least on the chip front.
According to multiple reports, the new Apple TV 4K will be powered by the A17 Pro chip — the same processor used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini 7. The A17 Pro is the oldest Apple chip capable of running Apple Intelligence features locally, which is why it is the floor for any device Apple wants to position as an AI-first product.
See Also: Apple HomePad Delayed Again — And Siri Is Still the Problem
Beyond the chip upgrade, the new Apple TV is expected to include Apple’s N1 networking chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and improved Thread connectivity for smart home integration. The design is expected to stay largely unchanged, and the Siri Remote is expected to receive only minor ergonomic adjustments. No major redesign is expected for this generation.
The A17 Pro upgrade is significant for gaming on Apple TV. Hardware ray tracing, which the A17 Pro supports, could meaningfully improve the visual quality of Apple Arcade titles and potentially position Apple TV as a more capable gaming device alongside dedicated consoles.
HomePod Mini 2: What Is Changing
The HomePod mini has been waiting even longer for an update. The original launched back in October 2020, which makes it one of Apple’s oldest unrefreshed products.
The new HomePod mini is expected to use an Apple Watch chip — likely the S9 or newer — paired with the same N1 chip being used in the new Apple TV. That combination would bring Wi-Fi 7, upgraded Ultra Wideband support for better spatial audio and home positioning, and the wireless backbone needed for tight Matter smart home integration.
Sound quality improvements are expected alongside the chip upgrade, and one rumored addition is a new red color option, which would be a first for the HomePod mini lineup.
Whether the S9 chip is powerful enough to handle the full Apple Intelligence version of Siri is a question that some analysts have raised. Apple has not yet clarified how the HomePod mini will handle AI requests locally versus offloading them to the cloud.
Why Both Devices Are Being Held Back
Apple’s reasoning for the delay comes down to a strategic bet. The company reportedly wants to position the new Apple TV and HomePod mini as flagship showcases for next-generation Siri — not just incremental hardware refreshes.
Shipping them without the new Siri would make them feel like minor spec bumps. Shipping them alongside a conversational, context-aware Siri that can handle home automation commands, proactive suggestions, and personalized responses would make them feel like entirely new products. That is the pitch Apple is preparing.
See Also: MacBook Air vs MacBook Neo: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
Apple had originally aimed to launch the new Siri with iOS 26.4, but reliability issues pushed those features into iOS 26.5 and eventually iOS 27. Both the Apple TV and HomePod software update pipelines are tied to those same milestones.
When Can You Expect Them?
The most realistic window is between May and September 2026. Here is how it could play out.
iOS 26.5 is expected around May 2026. If some of the new Siri capabilities are stable enough to ship then, Apple could announce the new Apple TV and HomePod mini alongside that update. The more likely scenario, however, is a fall 2026 launch tied to iOS 27 and the iPhone 18 event in September. Apple could announce all of its new Home products together — HomePad, Apple TV, and HomePod mini — as a unified smart home push.
WWDC in June would be the logical preview event for the new Siri, giving developers time to prepare their apps before the hardware launches in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new Apple TV 4K coming out?
The new Apple TV 4K does not have a confirmed release date. Based on current reports, it is expected sometime between May and September 2026, depending on when the new version of Siri is ready to ship.
What chip will the new Apple TV 4K have?
The new Apple TV 4K is expected to feature the A17 Pro chip, which is the same processor used in the iPhone 15 Pro. It is also expected to include Apple’s N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
What is new in the HomePod mini 2?
The second-generation HomePod mini is expected to feature a newer Apple Watch chip, the N1 networking chip, Wi-Fi 7, improved Ultra Wideband, better sound quality, and potentially a new red color option.
Why hasn’t Apple released the new Apple TV yet?
Apple is reportedly waiting to launch the new Apple TV alongside the upgraded version of Siri, which relies on Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini capabilities. The new Siri has been delayed from iOS 26.4 to iOS 27, expected in September.
Will the new HomePod mini support Apple Intelligence?
Apple has not confirmed this yet. The S9 chip powering the new HomePod mini may handle some Apple Intelligence tasks locally, while others may require cloud processing. Full details are expected to be revealed alongside the official announcement.
Final Thoughts
The new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are real, they are ready, and they are coming. Apple is simply waiting on Siri to catch up with the hardware. Given that the Apple TV has not been updated since 2022 and the HomePod mini launched all the way back in 2020, both devices are long overdue regardless of when they arrive.
The question is whether the new Siri, when it finally ships, justifies the wait. If it does, this fall could mark the most significant update to Apple’s smart home lineup in years.
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