Apple is set to enter the smart display market in 2025, with a device that combines the audio quality of the HomePod with a screen to offer enhanced functionality.
The device is expected to have a 6-7 inch OLED display and could feature a design similar to Amazon’s Echo Show, with the ability to rotate or detach from its base.
Reports suggest it will be powered by the A18 processor, which powers the iPhone 16, providing enhanced AI capabilities for more natural interactions with Siri, Apple’s smart assistant.
The smart display will integrate seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, allowing users to control smart home devices through HomeKit, stream Apple TV+ content, and manage video calls.
Leaks point to it running on software based on tvOS and homeOS, offering a refined, user-friendly interface. It will also have AI features that allow for better understanding and responses to voice commands, improving the overall smart home experience.
Several versions of the device might be in testing. One option could feature a screen mounted on a robotic arm, reminiscent of the old iMac G4, while another may be a simple tabletop model.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst, predicts that this device will be crucial to Apple’s smart home strategy, positioning it as a key player in the market. Though pricing is still unclear, it is expected that the device will be launched in the second half of 2025, possibly with a preview at Apple’s WWDC event in June.
With its powerful audio features, Siri integration, and smart home controls, this smart display could be Apple’s answer to competitors like Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub, expanding the brand’s smart home offerings and helping it compete in this growing product category.