Apple TV, HomePod Mini to Get AI Hardware Upgrades

The push for on-device AI processing directly impacts streaming hardware development, requiring more powerful chipsets and neural engines for efficient local execution of AI tasks. This represents a strategic move by Apple to enhance user experience and data privacy, potentially setting a new standard for intelligent streaming devices that competitors may need to match. Track the performance benchmarks of these new devices and observe how quickly rival manufacturers integrate similar capabilities into their own streaming hardware.

Reports from May/June 2026 indicate that the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini, along with a refreshed Siri Remote, are set for a Fall 2026 launch (9to5Mac, Pocket-lint, Gadgets Now). The hardware for these devices has reportedly been ready for months, with delays attributed to Apple's desire to launch them in tandem with the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features, which have experienced numerous software setbacks (Gadgets Now, PhoneArena). The Apple TV 4K is expected to upgrade from an A15 Bionic chip to an A17 Pro (Overcentral, PhoneArena), enabling on-device Apple Intelligence processing. The HomePod mini will upgrade from an S5 chip to an S9 or S10-class chip (Overcentral), though it will still rely on cloud processing for more intensive AI tasks due to chip limitations. While the external designs of both the Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to remain largely unchanged, the Siri Remote may see internal revisions (PhoneArena). These hardware updates underscore Apple's commitment to its AI roadmap, with the success of the new Siri, anticipated at WWDC 2026 (Gadgets Now), being crucial for the broader adoption of these updated devices.