Apple still plans to release a new full-size HomePod

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman briefly mentioned today that “Apple aims to eventually update its larger HomePod,” ensuring that the company remains committed to the full-size speaker, which was discontinued in 2021 and reintroduced in 2023.

The report states that a new HomePod mini, a new Apple TV 4K, and an all-new Apple smart home hub will all be announced on Tuesday, October 13, but it appears a new version of the full-size HomePod won’t be revealed until a later date. If and when it finally arrives, expect support for the smarter Siri AI to be a key new feature.

Siri AI support would require a faster chip: the current HomePod uses the S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7. Other likely upgrades include improved audio quality, new color options, and Apple’s custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.

The full-size HomePod is a relatively niche product, but it’s a practical choice for Apple fans with a home theater setup. A pair of HomePods can be set as the default audio output of an Apple TV 4K, allowing stereo sound.

In June, Apple raised prices on more than a dozen products, including the full-size HomePod. In the US, the current model now costs $349, up from $299 when it launched in 2023. The first-generation HomePod also cost $349 when it launched in 2018, so the speaker’s price has come full circle.