Apple HomeView: Everything you need to know about Apple’s smart-home display

Apple HomeView release date: When will it go on sale?

• Announced: October 13, 2026
• Pre-orders: October 13, 2026
• In Store: November 13, 2026

Apple announced HomeView on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as part of its “Welcome home” launch. Pre-orders opened the same day, with both the tabletop and wall-mounted models scheduled to go on sale on Friday, November 13.

HomeView is initially available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa. Singapore pre-orders open on October 15, while customers in South Africa can order through authorized resellers.

The device won’t initially be sold in the European Union because Siri AI isn’t currently available in iOS in the EU. Apple says it is working toward resolving the situation, but hasn’t announced a European release date.

HomeView can be ordered from the Apple website, Apple Store app, and selected retailers. It will also be displayed in Apple Stores. Apple hasn’t announced any general shipping delays beyond the roughly one-month gap between its announcement and retail availability, although individual delivery estimates may vary.

The November 13 date confirms the mid-November launch timeframe reported before the announcement. Earlier speculation about an October 30 launch is now superseded by Apple’s official schedule.

Pre-order HomeView from Apple U.S.

Pre-order HomeView from Apple U.K.

Apple HomeView design: What does it look like?

Apple

HomeView has a compact, square display mounted above a rounded aluminum speaker base, with a design that recalls Apple’s classic iMac G4. A stainless steel hinge allows the screen to tilt, making it easy to adjust the viewing angle when HomeView is positioned on a kitchen counter, desk, or bedside table.

The tabletop model is available in four colors: Silver, Starlight, Rose Pink, and Space Gray. The base incorporates the speakers, including a downward-firing woofer, while the display contains two additional full-range drivers. Apple uses 100 percent recycled aluminum in the base and includes a color-matched USB-C power cable.

The wall-mounted HomeView has a different design, with a slim square enclosure that’s just 0.39 inch thick. It is available in Silver and Space Gray and is designed for locations such as hallways and entrances. Unlike the tabletop model, it doesn’t include a separate woofer and requires a compatible wall mount, sold separately.

Both versions feature a touchscreen, built-in camera, four microphones, and USB-C power. Apple hasn’t listed conventional volume or power buttons in the published specifications, with touch and Siri providing the primary controls.

Does Apple HomeView have a camera?

Yes. Both HomeView models feature a built-in 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with an f/2.4 aperture.

The camera supports FaceTime video calling, with Center Stage automatically adjusting the framing to keep people visible as they move around or when additional participants join the conversation. Four beamforming microphones help pick up voices from across the room while reducing background noise.

The camera also plays an important role in HomeView’s personalized features. It can recognize registered household members by face, automatically switching to their individual Home Screen and making their personal information available when the required security conditions are met.

Apple uses a protected processing environment called Secure Exclaves to isolate facial and voice recognition data from the operating system and apps. The system is designed so that the sensitive camera and microphone information used for recognition isn’t exposed to other users or Apple.

Apple hasn’t published more detailed video recording specifications, such as maximum capture resolution or frame rate.

What screen does Apple HomeView have?

Foundry

HomeView features a 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen with a resolution of 1088 by 1088 pixels, giving it a pixel density of 220 pixels per inch. It uses an LED-backlit IPS panel with Multi-Touch support, True Tone, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.

Maximum brightness reaches 500 nits, while minimum brightness drops to just 0.3 nits, making it suitable for a bedside table without lighting up the room at night.

The interface also adapts to proximity, showing simpler information when viewed from across the room and revealing more detail as someone approaches. Customizable faces include Photos, Calendar, Weather, Flow, and Snoopy.

The display is the same on the tabletop and wall-mounted models. Apple hasn’t specified a refresh rate, and there’s no OLED option.

What processor does Apple HomeView use?

HomeView is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, the same generation of processor introduced with the iPhone 16 in 2024. This is considerably more powerful than the Apple Watch-derived processors used in older HomePod models and gives HomeView the processing capabilities needed for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.

The A18 is manufactured using a second-generation 3-nanometer process. In its original iPhone implementation, it features a six-core CPU, five-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Apple hasn’t confirmed whether the HomeView uses exactly the same CPU and GPU configuration, or whether the chip has been adapted for the new device.

The Neural Engine is particularly important because HomeView uses AI to support conversational Siri interactions, recognize household members, process camera and microphone information, and provide personalized responses. Apple’s Secure Exclaves also isolate sensitive recognition data from the operating system and applications.

Apple hasn’t revealed any performance comparisons between HomeView and previous HomePod processors, or disclosed any HomeView-specific improvements to chip packaging or manufacturing. However, the A18’s efficient 3nm architecture should help Apple deliver substantial processing power in a compact device that’s designed to operate continuously.

The A18 was one of the key specifications correctly predicted in our earlier HomeView rumors.

Which iPhones and iPads work with HomeView?

Apple lists an iPhone running iOS 27.2 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 27.2 or later as a system requirement, alongside Wi-Fi internet access.

To use HomeView’s more personalized Siri AI features, you’ll need a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. Basic Siri AI functions, including general questions and conversational interactions, remain available without an Apple Intelligence-enabled companion device.

HomeView also requires an Apple Account and compatible paired device for each household member who wants access to their personal information.

Does Apple HomeView have a battery or MagSafe charging?

Neither HomeView model has a built-in battery. Both are designed to remain connected to a power supply, so you can’t pick one up and use it around the house like an iPad.

The standard tabletop model includes a 1.5-meter USB-C cable and a 30W power adapter. Its USB-C connection supplies power rather than functioning as a conventional charging port.

The wall-mounted HomeView also requires continuous power, but Apple doesn’t include the wall mount, USB-C cable, or power adapter. These must be purchased separately, with a minimum 20W power adapter required when using a compatible USB-C power arrangement.

Apple offers three mounting solutions through Schneider Home, including a plug-in USB-C option, an AC-wired installation, and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) version coming in early 2027.

What software does Apple HomeView use?

Apple

HomeView runs dedicated home-focused software built around Siri AI, Apple’s Home app, widgets, and a selection of familiar Apple applications. Apple identifies the initial Siri AI software as HomeView software version 27.2.

Rather than providing a conventional iPad interface, HomeView is designed to show useful information at a glance and respond to touch, voice, and proximity. Users can customize their Home Screen with apps and widgets, while special faces display photos, clocks, weather, calendar information, and animated artwork.

What can Siri AI do on HomeView?

Siri AI is one of HomeView’s biggest selling points. Powered by Apple Intelligence, it can answer open-ended questions, understand follow-up requests, draw on broad world knowledge, and support natural conversations.

For example, users can ask Siri to find a recipe, explain something they’re interested in, recommend music, control their smart-home accessories, or help organize everyday tasks.

When HomeView is paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, Siri becomes more personal. It can draw on information from Calendar, Messages, and other apps, helping users locate an invitation, check an appointment, or find relevant information without manually searching their devices.

Siri conversations can also continue across Apple devices using the Siri app, with conversation history privately synced through iCloud.

There are some limitations. Siri AI initially supports English, with Canadian French coming later. Certain AI features that use server-side models have daily usage limits, and Apple says expanded access will eventually be available for a fee. Siri AI launches in beta on HomeView software 27.2.

How does HomeView work for different family members?

HomeView can recognize up to six users by their faces, automatically switching between personalized Home Screens and keeping each person’s content separate.

For example, one family member could approach HomeView and see their own calendar and reminders, while another would be shown different information. Shared photo albums, music, and general smart-home controls can still be enjoyed by everyone.

Access to personal information is more tightly controlled. The user’s paired iPhone or iPad must be on the same Wi-Fi network, must have been recently unlocked, and HomeView must recognize the person’s face.

Guests and unrecognized users can still ask Siri questions, play music, check the weather, set timers, and control eligible smart-home accessories, without gaining access to anyone’s private messages or calendars.

Is Apple HomeView secure?

Apple has designed HomeView with a particular emphasis on privacy, given that it includes an always-available camera and microphones in a shared household space.

The A18 chip uses Secure Exclaves to process camera and microphone data used for recognizing faces and voices. This information is isolated from the operating system and apps, so sensitive recognition data isn’t exposed to other software or Apple.

For Siri requests, HomeView can process information locally or use Private Cloud Compute, which Apple says handles cloud requests without storing the data or making it accessible to Apple.

HomeView also supports HomeKit Secure Video, including intelligent recognition of people, pets, packages, and vehicles with a compatible iCloud+ subscription. It can provide AI-generated descriptions of recorded activity, although these advanced features require setup with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.

How much does Apple HomeView cost?

• Apple HomeView $299/£299
• Apple HomeView (Wall Mounted) $299/£299

Apple HomeView starts at $299 in the U.S. and £299 in the U.K., with the tabletop and wall-mounted models carrying the same base price.

This positions HomeView below the $349 full-size HomePod price, although HomeView isn’t necessarily a direct replacement for that audio-focused speaker.

Should you buy Apple HomeView?

Apple HomeView looks particularly appealing for households already invested in Apple’s ecosystem. It brings together smart-home controls, a capable Siri assistant, video calling, entertainment, and personalized information in a single device that can be shared by everyone at home.

For families, its biggest advantage could be convenience. Being able to see calendars, reminders, weather, timers, and security cameras in a central location, while automatically switching between household members, makes HomeView more useful than a conventional smart speaker.

It’s also attractive for people with extensive HomeKit or Matter smart-home setups. Rather than relying on an iPhone whenever they want to adjust the heating, check a security camera, or activate a scene, users get a dedicated interface that’s always available.

However, HomeView won’t be essential for everyone. If you mainly use Siri to play music, set timers, and control a handful of smart lights, a HomePod mini is a considerably cheaper option. And if you already use an iPad on a stand in the kitchen, you may find that it handles many of the same tasks while offering much greater flexibility.

At $299/£299, HomeView is a premium alternative to smart displays from Amazon and Google. Its strongest selling points are its integration with Apple products, privacy-focused recognition of individual users, and the more powerful Siri AI experience. However, it’s worth remembering that some of those personalized AI features require a recent Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.

Which HomeView model should you buy?

For most people, the standard tabletop HomeView is the more sensible choice. It costs the same as the wallmounted version but includes a more substantial speaker system, an adjustable display, and the power accessories needed to get started.

The wallmounted version makes more sense if you want a permanent smarthome control panel in a hallway, entrance, or other shared area. Its slim design is more discreet, although the additional cost of mounting accessories and potentially professional installation makes it less affordable.

We’d recommend waiting for independent reviews before deciding whether HomeView’s sound quality, Siri performance, and personalized features justify its price. But for Apple households looking for a central smart-home display, HomeView already offers a combination of features that no existing HomePod can match.