Report: Apple’s upcoming smart home tablet won’t be as expensive as feared

Macworld

Rumors about Apple’s new device for the home, dubbed HomePad, have been circulating for years, but it looks like 2026 will finally be the year it arrives. Now, a crucial detail has been reported by Bloomberg that indicates that the product will soon hit the market: Apple is aiming for a price tag of $350 in the U.S.

Apple will offer two versions of the hardware: one with the code name J490 in the form of a HomePod mini with a touch screen, and one with the code name J491 in the form of a tablet that can be hung anywhere in the house. The report does not specify which of the two will be launched at $350, but based on the code names, the J490 is likely the entry-level model at $350.

That price is significantly more expensive than the current $99 price of the HomePod mini, as well as the 2nd-generation HomePod, which runs $299. However, the HomePadrumored is closer to an iPad that doubles as a multimedia control center for all smart devices in the home. Both devices rely on Siri controls, and the smart speaker version of Siri is currently limited in its ability and fails in practice with half of all requests, especially when it comes to third-party streaming services. The touchscreen that will be on the new devices will provide better access to controls.

According to the Bloomberg report, the device was finished a year ago and scheduled for release back in March. However, Apple postponed its revamped Siri release, and thus, postponed the HomePad. Reports state that the new device should arrive in spring 2026. Apple is expected to manufacture the device in Vietnam.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.