The days go by and information accumulates regarding the future HomePod. According to several consistent sources, the Cupertino giant is preparing a new version of its HomePod integrating a 6 to 7-inch OLED screen. This innovation would mark a strategic turning point for Apple in the field of connected home, a sector where the firm seeks to strengthen its presence against competitors like Amazon and Google.
An OLED screen made in China
The big surprise comes from the choice of supplier: it is the Chinese manufacturer Tianma which would have won exclusivity for the supply of OLED panels. The company, which ranks fourth in the Chinese domestic market behind BOE and CSOT, would have succeeded in convincing Apple thanks to particularly competitive prices. According to sources cited by the Seoul Economic DailyTianma would offer prices lower by 10 to 15 dollars compared to Korean manufacturers.
The technology chosen would be LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon), a more affordable variant than the high-end LTPO found on iPhones. This choice is logically explained by the intended use: a home automation control screen does not need the same performance as a smartphone.
A release still planned for 2025
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst renowned for his predictions about Apple, expects marketing to take place in the third quarter of 2025, after WWDC. Early production estimates are relatively modest, with around 500,000 units planned for the second half of 2025.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman discusses several variants in development, including a version equipped with an iPad-like screen with a built-in camera, and another more daring one with a screen mounted on a robotic arm. Apple is also reportedly working on a home automation center with a design reminiscent of the iMac G4, with a square screen and thick borders.
This new generation of HomePod is part of Apple’s broader strategy to conquer the connected home market. With the integration of a screen, the HomePod could become a real central hub for controlling all HomeKit compatible devices, thus strengthening the Apple ecosystem in our homes.
