Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini: New models still in November?
New features in two smaller product categories that would make suitable Christmas gifts are apparently imminent from Apple.
Apple TV 4K with HomePod mini: Both worth replacing.
(Image: Apple)
New Macs this year are considered unlikely, and the same applies to updated iPads. However, Apple could present updates for accessories this month before Christmas: for the HomePod mini and the Apple TV 4K. Both devices are significantly outdated in their current state. Apart from new colors, Apple has kept the HomePod mini on the market unchanged for a full five years for a full five years, while the third-generation Apple TV 4K has been around for three years, which is still a considerable time.
Store Inventory, Store Renovations, and a New Design
Speculation about updates for both devices has been circulating for months. However, it is now intensifying. According to a Bloomberg report, inventory levels for the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K have reportedly decreased in the US, even though the devices are still immediately available in German Apple Stores. Furthermore, the iPhone manufacturer's retail stores are preparing for a so-called “Overnight” event scheduled for November 11th.
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This will involve, among other things, the exchange of display materials and the repositioning of products. Such events are “often signals that something new is coming,” writes Bloomberg. However, it is also conceivable that these are simply preparations for the Christmas season. Apple has also released a new intro and music by artist Finneas for its streaming service on YouTube. The company recently streamlined the service to include the Plus in the name (“Apple TV+”). Apple could potentially transfer the new design to a new Apple TV 4K as well.
Possible Hardware Details for HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV 4K 4th Gen
Apple could easily equip the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K with slightly improved internals. Both current devices feature outdated technology. For example, the HomePod mini is based on the S5 System-in-a-Package (SiP), which Apple first used in the Apple Watch Series 5 or the very first Apple Watch SE. A jump to the S10 SiP, which Apple has been using since 2023, would give the compact speakers a performance boost—for example, in preparation for a long-awaited improved Siri. However, “true” Apple intelligence is not to be expected. It is unclear whether Apple will also make changes to the sound. A second-generation HomePod mini could, for instance, be inspired by the surprisingly voluminous Beats Pill speakers, which Apple's subsidiary refreshed in 2024.
For the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple could jump from the outdated A12 Bionic to the A18 from the iPhone 16, to create some more performance headroom. Support for Apple intelligence is considered conceivable here. There have also been repeated rumors about an integrated camera for FaceTime, even though this would complicate the placement of the multimedia box in the living room.
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