Apple HomePod 3: Apple's Next Smart Speaker Might Finally Put Siri on Display 🚀

• Touchscreen Smart Speaker: The HomePod 3 is widely expected to feature a built-in 6–7 inch display, essentially transforming Apple’s next HomePod into a smart display hub akin to an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub tomsguide.com reddit.com.
• Smarter Siri (Apple Intelligence): Apple is reportedly overhauling Siri with new AI “Apple Intelligence”upgrades, making the HomePod 3 far more capable at voice interactions and smart home control than previous models tomsguide.com reddit.com.
• Home Hub & FaceTime Camera: The device is described as a home control center, likely running a new “homeOS” with widgets for HomeKit devices reddit.com. It is rumored to include a built-in camera for FaceTimevideo calls and possibly home security monitoring tomsguide.com reddit.com.
• Major Hardware Upgrades: The third-gen HomePod is expected to pack a powerful A-series chip (A18), a huge leap from the Watch-grade chips in prior HomePods macrumors.com. This would enable advanced processing for sound, voice recognition, and on-device AI. It should also support Thread, Matter, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5/5.3for cutting-edge smart home connectivity staples.com macworld.com.
• Release Timeline & Price: Originally rumored for early 2025, the HomePod 3’s launch has slipped. Analysts now predict a late 2025 release (around Q3) due to Siri/AI software delays tomsguide.com macworld.com. With the added screen and tech, its price could top the $299 of the HomePod 2 – possibly $399 or more – though nothing is confirmed macworld.com.

A Big Comeback: HomePod’s Evolution and the Road to HomePod 3

Apple’s HomePod journey has been bumpy. The original HomePod (2018) wowed with its audio quality but lagged in smarts, as Siri was notably less intelligent than Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant macrumors.com. Apple even discontinued the full-size HomePod in 2021 amid slow sales macrumors.com, focusing on the smaller HomePod mini (2020). Then, somewhat surprisingly, Apple revived the big HomePod in 2023 with a second-gen model that tweaked the design and internals but remained screen-less macrumors.com.

Now, over two years later, Apple appears poised to reinvent the HomePod concept with a third generation that’s much more than a speaker. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this new device will be “Apple’s most significant release of the year” – marking Apple’s “first step toward a bigger role in the smart home.” In his report, Gurman described it as “a smaller and cheaper iPad” attached to a speaker, letting users control appliances, conduct FaceTime chats, and more reddit.com. In other words, HomePod 3 isn’t just a speaker upgrade; it’s a full-fledged smart home hub designed to compete at the center of your home reddit.com.

Crucially, this upcoming HomePod is expected to fill a gap in Apple’s lineup: a true Echo Show-style smart display. Apple has combined its HomePod and Apple TV engineering teams since 2020 to explore hybrid devices lifewire.com, and rumors suggest prototypes that merge an iPad with a HomePod have been tested (even one with a robotic arm to follow you, à la Amazon’s Echo Show 10) lifewire.com lifewire.com. The HomePod 3 with a screen seems to be the first real product of these efforts. It represents Apple’s answer to the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show, categories where Apple until now had no direct competitor reddit.com.

Release Date: When Will HomePod 3 Arrive?

Apple hasn’t officially announced the HomePod 3, but multiple credible sources point to a late 2025 timeframe for its debut. Initially, Bloomberg’s Gurman expected a launch as early as March 2025, but by early 2025 he warned the device “may take longer” because some features depend on upcoming software updates 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com. Indeed, in February 2025 Gurman noted the new home hub was “months away from shipping,” hinting that March was off the table 9to5mac.com.

Shortly after, in March 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo affirmed that Apple had postponed the launch to align with its software readiness. Kuo reported the mass production for the screen-equipped HomePod is scheduled for the second half of 2025, and that the product was delayed due to software development challenges (namely, Apple’s advanced Siri/AI not being ready) tomsguide.com reddit.com. He predicts a rollout after WWDC 2025, likely meaning a launch in the late summer or fall of 2025 macworld.com. This aligns with Gurman’s view that 2025 is the earliest, and not to expect anything in the first half of the year lifewire.com.

If this timeline holds, Apple could unveil the HomePod 3 in fall 2025 – possibly alongside the iPhone 17 (around September) or at a dedicated event – just in time for the holiday season. Interestingly, Gurman believes this product will be the marquee Apple device of that year reddit.com, underscoring how big of a strategic play it is for Apple in the smart home space.

Pricing: Apple has kept prior HomePods at premium pricing – the HomePod (2nd gen) launched at $299 (USD). Adding a touchscreen and more powerful internals will likely raise the cost. While there are no firm price leaks, tech watchers speculate somewhere around $349–$399 or higher for the base unit macworld.com. For context, Amazon’s large Echo Show 15 (15″ display) debuted at $249 and Google’s Nest Hub Max (10″ display) is about $229, but Apple could command more given its build quality and integrations. Tom’s Guide mused that Apple might even sell accessories (like a battery base or wall mount) separately, which could drive the price up for a fully equipped setup tomsguide.com. One guess puts a bundle with a dock around $499 (similar to Google’s Pixel Tablet + Speaker Dock combo) tomsguide.com. Until Apple announces it, though, the price remains uncertain – but don’t expect it to be cheap.

Design & Display: A HomePod with a Screen (Finally)

Concept rendering of a HomePod with an iPad-like display mounted on a HomePod speaker base. Rumors suggest the HomePod 3 will essentially be a hybrid of an iPad and a HomePod, creating Apple’s first smart speaker with a touchscreen.

The standout change with HomePod 3 will be its design. Multiple sources describe it as a HomePod with a display, essentially an iPad-esque screen attached to a speaker base reddit.com reddit.com. In fact, Gurman says the device looks like a smaller, cheaper iPad fixed above a speaker – roughly “two iPhones side by side” in size tomsguide.com. Leaked details point to a 6-inch or 7-inch touchscreen on the front tomsguide.com macrumors.com, making it comparable to the display on a Google Nest Hub or a small iPad mini. Notably, one Korean report claimed the screen may be an OLED panel for rich colors and contrast tomsguide.com, although it’s unclear if Apple would use OLED or LCD for this product.

What might this look like? According to Bloomberg, Apple has prototyped a design with a square display mounted on a circular base, which is “reminiscent of the circular bottom of the iMac G4” lamp-style desktop theverge.com. In other words, the HomePod 3 could pay homage to the classic iMac G4 (the “Luxo lamp” Mac), with a touchscreen that tilts above a round speaker base theverge.com. Gurman notes the initial version will be a “low-end, non-robotic” smart display – meaning no swiveling motorized arm in this model theverge.com (Apple is reportedly saving the robotic, swiveling screen idea for a much pricier future device, likely 2026 or later theverge.com). Instead, the HomePod 3’s screen might be manually adjustable or fixed at an angle for optimal viewing. It’s expected to come with accessories for mounting, such as a tabletop stand or wall-mount option, to suit different home setups reddit.com. In fact, Apple is said to be readying both a speaker base dock and a wall mount for the device, similar to how the Google Pixel Tablet can dock or be placed on a wall.

HomeOS & Widgets: Unlike current HomePods, which have no visual interface beyond a tiny touch panel, the HomePod 3 will run a new variant of Apple’s operating system. Gurman claims it will run a new “homeOS” – essentially a specialized interface for a home hub reddit.com. This OS would feature a widget-based home screen that shows your smart home controls at a glance reddit.com. You might see tiles for lights, thermostats, security cameras, and so on, much like the Apple Home app or an Apple TV control center, but optimized for touch. This focus on a quick-control dashboard echoes Amazon’s Echo Hub and other dedicated home controllers.

The presence of a screen opens up many possibilities: watching videos, glancing at calendar appointments, weather, and more. We can likely expect a subset of iPad-style functionality. Reports suggest the HomePod 3 will run “bespoke versions” of core Apple apps like FaceTime, Calendar, Music, Photos, and Notes theverge.com tomsguide.com – basically, the apps useful in a communal home setting. For example, you could start a FaceTime video call on the HomePod’s display, check your schedule, leave sticky note reminders, or scroll through a shared photo album on the screen. However, don’t expect a full App Store or iPadOS experience – insiders say there will be no App Store on this device tomsguide.com. It’s more appliance-like, focused on Apple’s built-in apps and HomeKit controls rather than running all your iPad apps.

Another tidbit: code leaks in early 2024 lent credence to this device’s interface. In a tvOS 17.4 beta (the HomePod’s software is closely tied to tvOS), developers found references to a new product code-named “Z314” believed to be the next HomePod, and indications that it could share elements of the Apple TV’s interface tomsguide.com. This suggests the HomePod 3 might borrow from tvOS for things like navigation and settings, which makes sense given it may effectively be Apple TV + HomePod + iPad in one.

Physically, the speaker part of the HomePod 3 will likely resemble the current HomePod’s mesh exterior and round shape, serving as the sound-producing base. Apple may keep a clean, minimalist design – think a small tablet screen atop a fabric-covered speaker cylinder or hemisphere. It’s worth noting that some leaks mention magnetic attachment: Apple has tested prototypes where the screen can magnetically dock to a base theverge.com theverge.com. If true, the screen could be detachable (a bit like an iPad that you can pop on and off a speaker dock). However, Gurman’s latest reports imply the first version will be a single unit, not a fully separate iPad – so any dockability might just mean you can mount it on different stands, rather than use the tablet independently.

Lastly, build materials and colors are unknown. Apple might offer neutral colors (White and Midnight/Black) similar to HomePod 2 staples.com. If the display has relatively thick bezels (as one rumor suggests macrumors.com), it might not look as sleek as an iPad Pro, but functionally it could allow easy tapping and swiping from across the room.

Sound Quality and Hardware Upgrades

Despite the new screen-centric design, the HomePod 3 is still a HomePod at heart, so audio quality remains important. Apple’s first two HomePods set a high bar for rich sound in a compact form. The original HomePod packed a beefy high-excursion woofer and seven tweeters, while the 2023 HomePod 2nd-gen toned it down to five tweeters and a 4-inch woofer (plus a built-in bass-EQ mic) forbes.com menshealth.com. Even with fewer speakers, the HomePod 2 delivered impressive 360° sound with spatial audio support. We can expect the HomePod 3 to at least match or exceed the HomePod 2’s sound performance, though its form factor might dictate some changes. If the speaker base is smaller to accommodate a screen, Apple may use fewer drivers or new driver designs to maintain audio quality. We don’t have leaked specs on the speaker array yet, but Apple will likely continue to use a multi-tweeter array with beamforming and computational audio tuning (features that gave HomePods their excellent clarity and room-filling sound).

Early rumors suggest Apple might put slightly less emphasis on pure audio in this model in favor of its hub features tomsguide.com. It’s possible the HomePod 3 won’t try to out-bass the original HomePod, but rather provide “good enough” sound combined with the new screen utility. That said, Apple knows the product will still be judged as a speaker. It will support Apple Music’s spatial audio and Lossless audio formats like the current models do. In fact, audiophiles hope it might even add support for hi-res lossless audio (beyond 48 kHz), which current HomePods downscale macworld.com. Apple hasn’t indicated this, but a more powerful chip could handle higher bitrate streams and advanced DSP for even crisper sound.

Microphones & Siri listening: The HomePod 3 will certainly include an array of far-field microphones to pick up “Hey Siri” commands across the room. The 2nd-gen HomePod uses a 4-mic array (down from 6 mics in the original) and still does a great job hearing users apple.fandom.com. The new model might stick with a similar mic setup, possibly augmented by the new presence sensor capability (more on that shortly) to know when someone is nearby. A key addition will be microphones (and that front camera) tuned for FaceTime calls, so expect it to handle echo-cancellation and voice enhancement, making calls sound clear. We’ll likely see features akin to Center Stage, where the device could use its mics and camera to focus on voices or subjects during a video call (if the camera has a wide field of view).

Processing Power – A18 Chip: Perhaps the biggest hardware leap is the chipset. Unlike previous HomePods that used repurposed iPhone or Apple Watch chips (the 2023 HomePod runs on an Apple Watch S7 chip), the HomePod 3 is rumored to pack an Apple A18 processor macrumors.com reddit.com. That’s a flagship-caliber chip, likely similar to what’s in the 2024–25 iPhones. This would give the HomePod 3 enormous processing headroom. Why does a speaker need an A18? In a word: AI. Apple is reportedly making Siri far smarter by leveraging on-device neural processing – enabling the assistant to understand context, handle complex requests, and even run certain Apple Intelligence features (like text generation or advanced Siri shortcuts) locally tomsguide.com apple.com. The A18 chip would also allow the device to run the rich GUI (animations, video playback, etc.) smoothly and to process high-quality audio (surround sound algorithms, multi-room sync) with ease.

In addition, Kuo notes that this HomePod will support “Apple Intelligence”, Apple’s umbrella term for next-gen AI features reddit.com. Some capabilities might include on-device speech recognition, personalized Siri responses, and improved security (like recognizing different users’ voices or even using the camera for person detection). Current HomePods offload a lot to the cloud; a beefy chip could mean more tasks handled privately on the device.

Sensors: Apple surprised users by hiding temperature and humidity sensors in existing HomePods (enabled via software in 2023). You can bet the HomePod 3 will include those to integrate with HomeKit climate automations (e.g., “turn on fan if room gets too warm”). Moreover, rumors suggest new presence sensors might appear tomsguide.com. These could be something like a motion sensor or a U1 ultra-wideband chip to detect when you (or your iPhone/Watch) are near, triggering the screen to wake up or certain home automations. Presence detection would make a lot of sense – imagine the HomePod’s display showing useful info as you approach, or greeting you in the morning with a summary.

Siri 2.0 and Software Improvements: Apple’s AI Play

A major criticism of the HomePod line has been Siri’s limitations. As MacRumors wryly noted, Siri has long been seen as “inferior to other popular voice assistants”, and the rise of AI chatbots (ChatGPT, etc.) has only underscored its weaknesses macrumors.com. Apple is clearly aware of this and appears to be overhauling Siri for the HomePod 3 launch. Internally, Apple’s next-gen conversational AI is often referred to as “Apple Intelligence” or Siri 2.0 – aspects of which are slated to roll out with iOS 19 and related software updates in 2025 tomsguide.com.

For the HomePod 3, Siri’s improvement isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s central to the product’s concept. Gurman emphasizes that the whole device will “revolve around Siri [and] Apple Intelligence”, serving as a voice-first home hub reddit.com. We should see a more capable Siri that can handle multi-step requests (e.g. “lock the doors, dim the lights, and play some music”), have more natural conversations, and intelligently control smart home scenes. Apple’s recent iOS updates already introduced continued conversation context (where Siri can remember what you just asked and follow up) and the ability to handle more complex queries on device support.apple.com. The HomePod 3 will likely leverage those and extend them further.

One exciting aspect is the potential integration of generative AI for Siri. Apple has been reportedly working on large language model (LLM) technology (similar to GPT) under the hood. By the time HomePod 3 ships, Siri might be able to provide more conversational answers, summaries, and even help with tasks like writing messages or brainstorming, thanks to Apple’s AI models apple.com. Imagine asking your HomePod, “Hey Siri, summarize this news article for me” or “Compose a quick email reply about rescheduling our meeting,” and Siri actually doing a decent job – these are the kind of capabilities Apple Intelligence aims for.

From a software integration standpoint, HomePod 3 will tie deeply into Apple’s ecosystem. We’ve mentioned the likely inclusion of core apps (FaceTime, Music, Home, etc.). It will undoubtedly support AirPlay 2 for multi-room audio and act as a HomeKit home hub (just as current HomePods and Apple TVs do) to enable remote access to your smart devices. There’s also a strong chance it could run Safari or a WebKit browser in some form tomsguide.com, since a screen and powerful chip make web browsing feasible (one rumor said Apple employees tested Safari on prototypes). However, without an App Store, third-party apps might be limited to whatever hooks Apple provides (perhaps HomeKit camera feeds, news and weather content, etc., through widgets or Siri responses).

Notably, Apple is planning an “Apple Intelligence” launch across its OSes (iOS, macOS) in 2025, and the HomePod 3 is timed to benefit from that. For example, iOS 18.4 in early 2025 introduced more powerful on-device AI Siri features, and observers speculated that a HomePod release soon after would pair nicely 9to5mac.com. Kuo even suggested the HomePod’s delay was partly to align with iOS 19’s launch so that the new Siri capabilities and the hardware arrive together tomsguide.com.

One more software tidbit: Apple has been careful to maintain user privacy. So, if Siri 2.0 on HomePod 3 does use generative AI, expect it to be privacy-centric, possibly processing requests locally or anonymizing data (unlike Amazon and Google, which often send everything to the cloud). Apple even calls its approach “brand-new standard for privacy in AI.” apple.com This could be a selling point for HomePod 3: a smart speaker that’s both smart and respectful of your privacy, not harvesting your voice data to cloud servers.

Smart Home Integration: Matter, HomeKit, and Home Automation

Since this device is envisioned as a “control center” for the home, compatibility with smart home standards is critical. The HomePod 3 will almost certainly support Apple’s HomeKit platform out of the box (acting as a home hub for automation) and, by extension, the new universal Matter standard. Matter is the industry-wide protocol that Apple, Google, Amazon, and others have all adopted to ensure devices work across ecosystems. The current HomePod models already serve as Matter controllers and Thread border routers staples.com, meaning they can connect to and manage Matter-enabled devices (lights, locks, sensors, etc.) over Wi-Fi and Thread networks. We expect the HomePod 3 to do the same, likely with even better connectivity thanks to upgraded radios.

Indeed, one rumor is that Apple will include its first in-house combo wireless chip (code-named “Proxima”), which supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 macworld.com. The HomePod 2 oddly only had Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), but the next model jumping to Wi-Fi 6E would bring faster speeds and less interference macworld.com. This benefits streaming, AirPlay, and communicating with many IoT devices simultaneously. The integrated Bluetooth upgrade could improve HomePod’s ability to talk directly to accessories. And critically, Thread support should continue, as Thread is key for Matter devices – expect a Thread radio so the HomePod can act as a Thread border router (bridging Thread-based sensors/bulbs to your Wi-Fi network). In short, HomePod 3 will be a connectivity powerhouse for your smart home, handling Zigbee/Matter via Thread, classic Wi-Fi devices, and Bluetooth LE accessories all in one.

HomeKit and Matter in action: With a screen, controlling your HomeKit devices becomes far more visual. Instead of always barking commands, you could tap the screen to, say, adjust a thermostat slider or view a live camera feed. This addresses a pain point: Siri doesn’t always parse complex commands well, and some users end up using the Home app on their iPhone. Now, you might walk up to the HomePod hub and just use the touch interface to tweak settings – much more convenient at times. In fact, Macworld points out that many HomePod users resorted to the iPhone app due to Siri’s quirks, so a built-in display will provide a much-needed alternative control method right on the device macworld.com.

One very exciting use-case is video doorbells and security cameras. Currently, if someone rings a HomeKit doorbell, Siri can announce it and you can ask to show the camera on your iPhone or Apple TV. With HomePod 3, you could get a popup on its screen with the camera feed instantly, and even talk to the visitor via two-way audio tomsguide.com. Gurman indeed indicated that the hub could double as a security system, letting you view camera footage easily reddit.com. Apple is even rumored to be working on its own indoor security camera for 2026 to integrate with this hub macrumors.com reddit.com. So Apple clearly sees this as the brains of a home security and monitoring setup too.

Another neat feature mentioned is presence sensing – the HomePod 3 might trigger HomeKit scenes when it detects someone in the room (via motion or U1 chip). For example, as you enter the kitchen in the morning, the HomePod could automatically turn on lights and show your morning briefing on-screen. Or if it knows everyone has left the house (no devices nearby), it could suggest arming the security system. This kind of contextual awareness would make Apple’s smart home truly smart, and it’s something competitors like Google already explore with Nest Hub’s Soli radar for presence.

Matter support means the HomePod 3 won’t be limited to just HomeKit-certified devices. It should be able to control Matter gadgets from other brands seamlessly. For instance, you could add a Matter-compatible smart bulb (that might also work with Alexa or Google) to Apple Home via the HomePod. The HomePod 3 then becomes the bridge for all your Matter devices. Also, with its Thread radio, it will enhance the mesh network for Thread-based devices (like many new smart locks, sensors, and thermostats that are enabling Thread). This ensures your smart home is more responsive and reliable.

One can think of HomePod 3 as Apple’s central home appliance – controlling climate (thermostats, fans via HomeKit), security (locks, cameras), lighting (bulbs, switches), and entertainment (music, TV via AirPlay or Apple TV control). By voice or touch, it should handle commands like “Good night” (to run a Good Night scene) or “Is the garage door closed?” and actually show you the status visually or via Siri’s voice. These are things HomePod has done in part, but the screen and new software will take it to the next level.

How It Stacks Up: Comparison with HomePod 2, HomePod mini, and Competitors

It’s helpful to see how the HomePod 3 (as rumored) compares to Apple’s existing speakers and the competition:

HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod 3: The current HomePod (2023) is a traditional speaker – no screen, no camera, runs Siri as-is. It’s mostly about music and basic Siri/home control by voice. It has an Apple S7 chip (from a Watch) and limited on-device AI. The HomePod 3 blows past it in ambition: adding a full display, much faster silicon (A18 vs S7), and broadening functionality to video calls and acting as a family hub. While HomePod 2 is primarily an audio device that can do some home hub duties in the background, HomePod 3 is designed to be front-and-center in your home interactions. That said, pure audio might be a bit richer on the HomePod 2’s dedicated speaker design – there’s a chance that a HomePod 3, if smaller or designed with cost trade-offs for the screen, might not pack quite the same sonic punch or bass as the 2023 model. Apple may keep selling the screenless HomePod 2 as an option for those who just want a high-fidelity speaker in another room. In fact, MacRumors noted it’s unclear if Apple will even use the “HomePod” name for the new screen-hub; they might brand it differently (perhaps “Apple Home Hub” or similar) reddit.com, underscoring that it’s a new category. Both devices will interoperate though – e.g., you could use two HomePod 3s as stereo pair, or one HomePod 3 with HomePod 2s around the house for multi-room audio, since they’ll all support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

HomePod mini vs HomePod 3: The HomePod mini is Apple’s $99 pint-sized speaker that’s great for music in small rooms and Siri basics, but obviously lacks a display or advanced hardware. HomePod mini uses an older S5 chip and has a tiny footprint. The upcoming HomePod 3 will utterly dwarf the mini in capabilities (and likely price). They really serve different segments: the mini is more of a satellite speaker or for entry-level consumers, whereas HomePod 3 is a flagship hub. Apple is expected to update the HomePod mini as well, likely in late 2025 alongside or shortly after the HomePod 3’s release macrumors.com macworld.com. The HomePod mini 2 (if we call it that) is rumored to get improved sound and a newer chip, possibly Apple’s custom “Proxima” wireless chip for better connectivity macrumors.com macworld.com. However, the mini is not expected to gain a screen – it should remain a simple speaker (perhaps with new colors or slight design tweaks). Apple will likely position the mini as the affordable way to extend Siri and music to more rooms, while the HomePod 3 is the deluxe central console in your living room or kitchen. Both will support Matter and act as home hubs, but only the HomePod 3 will give you visual feedback and advanced functions like FaceTime or direct touch controls.

In summary, HomePod 3 is to HomePod mini what an iPhone Pro is to an iPhone SE – they share the basics, but one is far more feature-packed.

Versus Amazon Echo and Google Nest: Apple is entering a space dominated by Amazon Echo Show devices and Google’s Nest smart displays. For instance, Amazon’s Echo Show 10 has a 10-inch screen that swivels to face you, plus Alexa’s vast skillset; Amazon also offers smaller Echo Show 5/8 and the wall-mounted Echo Show 15. Google’s Nest Hub Max offers a 10-inch screen, Google Assistant, and tight integration with Google services (YouTube, Photos, etc.). How will Apple stack up?

• Display & Design: Apple’s 7-inch screen is a bit smaller than the 10-inch standard on rival flagships, but likely much higher quality (possibly OLED vs. LCD) and with a slicker UI. Apple’s design (if the iMac G4-like rumor holds) could be a real head-turner for nostalgia lovers theverge.com. Unlike Amazon’s rotating screen or Google’s fixed base, Apple’s attachable base concept might allow more flexibility (use it on a stand or wall). We don’t expect a motorized swivel in this model, so the Echo Show 10’s party trick of following you won’t be matched yet.
• Voice Assistant: Siri vs Alexa vs Google Assistant – Siri has been behind, but Apple is trying to leapfrog with on-device AI. If Siri 2.0 delivers as promised, the HomePod 3 could catch up in understanding natural language and context. Still, Alexa and Google have a multi-year lead in third-party skills and integrations (Alexa can order pizza, play games, control a huge range of third-party devices). Apple’s more curated approach means Siri might lack some novelty skills, but it will excel for Apple-centric users (messaging with iPhone contacts, handing off audio, continuity with Macs, etc.). Plus, Apple’s privacy stance is a differentiator: no voice recordings being analyzed in the cloud for ad data.
• Smart Home Standards: Thanks to Matter, the playing field is leveling. HomePod 3 will control Matter and HomeKit devices; Google and Amazon devices will too. One advantage for Apple is if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem: HomePod can directly trigger HomeKit Secure Video recording, share camera feeds to your iCloud, notify your iPhone, etc., in a very integrated way. Google’s displays integrate with Nest cams and the Google Home app similarly, and Amazon with Ring, etc. It’s a battle of ecosystems.
• Sound Quality: Apple’s HomePods have generally outshone Echo and Nest speakers in pure audio fidelity (the original HomePod was rated very highly for music). Apple likely will aim for superior sound versus an Echo Show of similar size. However, adding the screen might constrain speaker size. Still, it’s a safe bet that HomePod 3 will be one of the best-sounding smart displays on the market. The Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max are decent for music, but not amazing; Apple could win over audio enthusiasts who want a screen device that doesn’t skimp on sound.
• Price: Amazon and Google undercut on price. You can often find an Echo Show 8 for under $130, or a Nest Hub for $99. Apple will be coming in at possibly triple the price of some competitors. That is a hurdle. Apple will justify it with premium build, privacy, and the seamless experience with other Apple products. For Apple users, that integration (AirPlay, Siri with Messages, Handoff, etc.) can be worth it. But it’s unlikely someone in the Android/Alexa world would switch to HomePod given the cost – Apple is probably targeting its own user base here, encouraging those who love iPhones to finally put an Apple screen in the kitchen instead of an Echo.

All told, the HomePod 3 is Apple’s bid to reclaim the smart home narrative. After years of playing catch-up, Apple now seems determined to leverage its strengths (hardware prowess, a rich ecosystem, and privacy-focused AI) to create a compelling smart display that could one-up what’s on the market.

Other HomePod Models on the Horizon

In addition to the flagship HomePod 3, Apple has a couple of other home-audio products rumored:

• HomePod mini 2: As mentioned, a refresh of the mini is expected in late 2025. Mark Gurman reported that a new mini is targeted for the end of 2025, likely to give the tiny speaker a boost in audio quality and performance macrumors.com. Don’t expect a radical redesign – probably the same golfball-sized form, maybe new colors or a U1 chip added (the current mini already has one for Handoff). It will likely upgrade from the S5 chip to a newer chip (perhaps S7 or something equivalent) for longevity. Interestingly, Gurman and others say the new mini will adopt Apple’s custom wireless chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth macrumors.com, which could improve reliability and possibly add Wi-Fi 6E support, as noted earlier. The mini will remain the affordable entry ($99) and serve as an easy way to spread Siri throughout the house. Apple will want HomePod mini 2 to complement the HomePod 3: for example, you might use the big HomePod 3 in your living room, and a couple of minis in bedrooms or an office for multi-room audio and Siri access everywhere. Ming-Chi Kuo had initially predicted a HomePod mini 2 could appear by late 2024 macworld.com, but that didn’t pan out – now it’s looking like a 2025 timeline, in sync with HomePod 3’s debut.
• HomePod with Display (“Home Hub”) Variants: Beyond the first HomePod with a screen, Apple apparently has more ambitious prototypes in R&D. Gurman has hinted at a high-end version with a 10+ inch display on a robotic arm that can track users around the room (similar to Amazon’s Echo Show 10, but even more advanced) macworld.com theverge.com. This could even incorporate an AI-driven personality or advanced interactions – but Gurman says “this is still years away” and not something we’ll see in this upcoming release tomsguide.com. In addition, there were rumors of a combined Apple TV + HomePod device (a soundbar-like thing with a camera for TV FaceTime) macrumors.com, though that too seems early in development. For now, the most concrete product is the 7-inch HomePod hub. Kuo notes Apple might launch multiple HomePod variants with screens over time macrumors.com. The first one in 2025 is the “low-end” model (affordable relative to what’s coming later) theverge.com. If it succeeds, Apple could follow up with a larger, premium model in 2026 or beyond.

It’s also worth mentioning that Apple’s long-term vision might unify these devices. Some observers on Apple forums joke about device overload – Apple TV, HomePod, iPad, now Home Hub – why so many? reddit.com. It’s possible Apple eventually streamlines this. For example, a future device could replace the need for a separate Apple TV box by including a TV output or HDMI. Already, Apple merged the engineering teams, which suggests they’re aiming for a cohesive platform lifewire.com. For now, however, the HomePod 3 will carve out its own niche.

Final Thoughts

The Apple HomePod 3 (or whatever name Apple ultimately gives it) is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most intriguing products in years. It’s essentially Apple’s take on the smart display hub – a category its rivals have led – but done in a characteristically Apple way: with tight ecosystem integration, a focus on premium hardware, and an emphasis on privacy and user experience. By equipping the HomePod 3 with a touchscreen, a powerful A18 brain, and an upgraded Siri, Apple is addressing the two biggest criticisms of the original HomePod line (limited interface and limited intelligence).

If the rumors hold true, we’re on the cusp of a device that can play your favorite song in superb quality, show you who’s at the front door, answer your questions with AI-powered smarts, and control every connected gadget in your house – all with a simple voice command or tap. As one tech commentator noted, adding a screen to a $299 speaker makes it “a much more compelling” home device, potentially justifying the cost for Apple’s target users reddit.com. It could truly become the hub of the modern Apple household, uniting communication, entertainment, and home automation in one gadget.

Of course, until Apple takes the stage to demo it, these features remain well-sourced rumors and not official. But the consistency of reports from sources like Bloomberg’s Gurman and analyst Kuo gives us confidence that Apple is indeed preparing a HomePod with a display and enhanced Siri for the very near future. Keep an eye on late 2025 – your next holiday shopping list might include an Apple smart speaker that finally shows as much as it tells. And if Apple succeeds, the HomePod 3 might just kick off a new era of competition to make our smart home hubs smarter than ever.

Sources:

• Rossignol, Joe. “HomePod Turns 8: Here’s When to Expect New Models.” MacRumors, June 5, 2025 macrumors.com macrumors.com.
• Prospero, Mike. “Apple HomePod 3: Everything we know so far.” Tom’s Guide, Mar. 12, 2025 tomsguide.com tomsguide.com.
• Haslam, Karen. “New HomePod with screen and HomePod mini coming soon?” Macworld, Aug. 28, 2025 macworld.com macworld.com.
• Hardwick, Tim. “Kuo: New HomePod With Smart Home Display Arriving in Late 2025.” MacRumors, Dec. 4, 2024 macrumors.com macrumors.com.
• Reddit (r/Apple). Summary of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter and Kuo’s reports on HomePod with screen reddit.com reddit.com.
• Christoffel, Ryan. “Apple’s brand new Home product won’t launch until April or later, per Gurman.” 9to5Mac, Feb. 10, 2025 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com.
• Davis, Wes. “Apple’s first smart home display could pay homage to a classic iMac.” The Verge, Oct. 27, 2024 theverge.com theverge.com.
• Carr, Mandy. “Making Sense of the HomePod 3 Rumors.” Lifewire, updated Aug. 4, 2025 lifewire.com lifewire.com.
• Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) – Technical Specs and Listings forbes.com staples.com. (Apple.com, Staples)