Apple Rumored To Delay HomePad Smart Home Hub Until Fall 2026
The long-rumored hybrid HomePod–iPad screen is said to bring a 7-inch panel, Siri-first controls, and wall or countertop mounting options.
Summary
- Apple is reportedly preparing a new smart home hub called the HomePad, a hybrid of HomePod and iPad, now expected to arrive in fall 2026
- The device is tipped to feature a 7-inch square display, camera, smart sensors, and deep Siri integration, acting as a central command center for the Apple smart home
- Launch timing has slipped multiple times due to delays in Apple’s AI and Siri upgrades, with the product now rumored to debut alongside major fall hardware like the iPhone 18 lineup
Rumors now point to Apple’s long-gestating HomePad finally landing in fall 2026, pushing the company’s smart home ambitions into new territory with a dedicated hub that blends the functionality of a HomePod and an iPad. Positioned as a central screen-based controller, the device is designed to sit at the heart of the Apple Home ecosystem and give users a single, always-there interface for music, video calls, and glanceable information like weather or calendar events.
Across multiple reports, the HomePad is described as having a roughly 7-inch square display with a front-facing camera, built-in sensors that can detect when someone approaches, and software that adapts the on-screen content depending on who is in front of it. Siri sits at the core of the experience, with heavy reliance on voice control and even a potential new personified look tailored for this hub. Apple is said to be exploring two hardware variations: one that mounts to a wall like a traditional home panel and another that sits on a desk or countertop with a speaker base reminiscent of the HomePod mini.
The saga around timing has become part of the story. Early whispers pointed to an initial launch as soon as 2024 or 2025, but the road kept slipping as Apple wrestled with its broader AI roadmap and next-gen Siri. Now the HomePad is rumored to be targeted for the company’s high-heat fall 2026 window, potentially sharing stage time with the iPhone 18 family or redesigned MacBook Pro models. With a rumored price point around $350 USD, the device would also mark a major expansion of Apple’s still-limited Home lineup, which today is largely defined by Apple TV 4K and the existing HomePod speakers.
