Apple HomePad launch: $179 tabletop smart home hub with 6" display + homeOS (Oct 13)

Apple launched the HomePad on Oct 13, 2026 — Apple's first dedicated smart home hub with a 6-inch touchscreen, A18 chip, and the new homeOS operating system. Two form factors: $179 tabletop (with kickstand) and $249 wall-mounted. The HomePad is Apple's answer to the Amazon Echo Show 8 and Google Nest Hub Max — but with deep HomeKit + Apple Intelligence integration that neither competitor matches.

HomePad is the centerpiece of Apple's "home" strategy — it ties together HomeKit accessories, FaceTime, Apple TV (AirPlay), Apple Music, and Apple Intelligence into a single always-on device. Apple is positioning HomePad as the "iPhone for the home" — a device every household member uses multiple times a day, like the original iPad in 2010.

Apple HomePad specifications

Apple HomePad (2026) — official specs:

Spec	HomePad (Tabletop)	HomePad (Wall-Mounted)
Display	6.1" Liquid Retina XDR	6.1" Liquid Retina XDR
Resolution	2160×1170	2160×1170
Chip	A18	A18
RAM	6 GB	6 GB
Storage	128 GB	128 GB
Camera	12 MP Ultra Wide + Face ID	12 MP Ultra Wide + Face ID
Speakers	4-driver woofer + tweeter	6-driver woofer + tweeter
Mics	4 far-field (Siri wake)	4 far-field (Siri wake)
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip)	Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip)
Bluetooth	5.4	5.4
Thread	Yes	Yes
Matter	Yes	Yes
Ethernet	No (Wi-Fi only)	Yes (PoE+)
Power	USB-C 30W adapter	Power over Ethernet
Mount	Built-in kickstand + magnetic base	Magnetic wall mount
HomeOS version	homeOS 1.0	homeOS 1.0
Apple Intelligence	Yes (on-device 4B LLM)	Yes (on-device 4B LLM)
Price	$179	$249
Release date	Oct 20, 2026	Oct 20, 2026

Key features:

• 6.1" Liquid Retina XDR display — same display tech as iPhone 16 Pro
• A18 chip — same chip as iPhone 18 (2025)
• 6 GB RAM — for Apple Intelligence on-device LLM
• 128 GB storage — for Photos cache + Apple Music library + HomeKit automations
• Face ID — for per-user HomeKit scenes + Apple Pay + FaceTime
• Thread + Matter — smart home protocol support
• Apple Intelligence — Siri 2.0 + on-device LLM

What is homeOS?

homeOS is Apple's new operating system for HomePad — based on iOS 27 but optimized for always-on smart display use:

1. Always-on display — Time, weather, calendar, upcoming events
2. HomeKit dashboard — Favorites accessories, scenes, automations at a glance
3. Siri voice + visual — Conversational Siri 2.0 with on-device LLM
4. FaceTime with Center Stage — Auto-framing 12MP Ultra Wide camera
5. Apple Music + Podcasts — Standalone playback (no iPhone needed)
6. Apple TV integration — AirPlay receiver, HomePod audio handoff
7. Intercom — Speak to all HomePads in house, or to a specific room
8. Photo Frame mode — Slideshow of shared family photos when idle
9. Widgets — iOS 27-style widgets for calendar, weather, reminders, etc.
10. Quick controls — Tap to lock/unlock HomeKit doors, dim lights, etc.
11. Ambient computing — Detects room occupancy (via camera + mmWave) and adjusts HomeKit scenes

homeOS is NOT iPadOS — Apple deliberately built a separate OS for the home use case:

• iPadOS has full app multitasking; homeOS is single-task focused
• iPadOS supports mouse/trackpad; homeOS is touch + voice only
• iPadOS runs all iOS apps; homeOS runs a curated set of home-optimized apps

What does Apple HomePad cost?

HomePad pricing (US launch pricing):

Model	Price	Notes
HomePad Tabletop	$179	6.1" + kickstand + 4-speaker + Wi-Fi only
HomePad Wall-Mounted	$249	6.1" + magnetic mount + 6-speaker + Ethernet + PoE+

International (USD equivalent at launch):

• UK: £179 tabletop / £249 wall-mounted
• Germany: €199 tabletop / €269 wall-mounted
• Japan: ¥28,800 tabletop / ¥39,800 wall-mounted
• Australia: A$279 tabletop / A$389 wall-mounted

Trade-in: Apple offers $30 trade-in for old iPad (any condition) toward new HomePad.

AppleCare+ for HomePad: $39 for 2 years of coverage (1 incident of accidental damage).

How does Apple HomePad compare to rivals?

Apple HomePad vs Amazon Echo Show 8 vs Google Nest Hub Max (2026):

Feature	Apple HomePad	Echo Show 8	Google Nest Hub Max
Display	6.1" XDR	8" HD	10" HD
Chip	A18	AZ2 Neural Edge	Google Tensor G4
RAM	6 GB	Unknown	Unknown
AI assistant	Siri 2.0 + Apple Intelligence	Alexa+ (LLM-powered)	Gemini 2.0
Camera	12 MP Ultra Wide	13 MP	13 MP
Face ID / face match	Face ID	Visual ID	Face Match
Smart home protocols	HomeKit + Matter + Thread	Zigbee + Matter (no Thread)	Matter + Thread
Video calls	FaceTime	Alexa Calling + Zoom	Google Meet + Zoom
Music service	Apple Music	Amazon Music + Spotify	YouTube Music + Spotify
Privacy model	On-device first	Cloud-first (with opt-out)	Cloud-first
Wall mount	Yes	No (tabletop only)	No (tabletop only)
Price	$179 / $249	$149	$229

HomePad wins on:

• Privacy (on-device Apple Intelligence, no cloud processing)
• Display quality (XDR vs HD)
• Wall mount strength (no competitor offers this)
• Apple ecosystem integration (iPhone handoff, AirPods spatial audio)
• Chip performance (A18 vs competitor chips)

HomePad loses on:

• Display size (6.1" vs 8-10")
• Price ($179 vs $149 Echo Show 8)
• Open ecosystem (HomeKit only; no Alt/Echo/Google native)

Should I buy Apple HomePad?

Yes if:

• You have multiple HomeKit accessories (lights, locks, cameras)
• You want Apple Intelligence in a shared family device
• You want FaceTime in a central spot (kitchen counter)
• You want a wall-mounted home dashboard (HomePad Wall-Mounted $249)

Skip if:

• You're not in the Apple ecosystem (no iPhone, no Apple Watch)
• You only need a basic smart speaker (HomePod mini 2 is enough — covered separately)
• You're on a budget (Echo Show 8 at $149 is cheaper)
• You want the largest display (Nest Hub Max 10" is bigger)

Wait if:

• You want HomePad 2 — rumored for late 2027 with M-series chip + 8" display

Apple HomePad launch and availability

Announced: Oct 13, 2026 (alongside Apple TV 4K refresh, HomePod mini 2) Pre-order: Oct 13, 2026 (immediately after announcement) On sale: Oct 20, 2026 (Apple Store + apple.com) Shipping countries: US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Canada, China from day 1; 30+ countries by Nov 15, 2026

Available colors: White, Midnight, Silver (3 options at launch)

FAQ: Apple HomePad

When was Apple HomePad announced?

Oct 13, 2026 — alongside Apple TV 4K refresh + HomePod mini 2 in Apple's fall product refresh.

How much does Apple HomePad cost?

$179 tabletop / $249 wall-mounted. UK £179/£249; Germany €199/€269.

What is homeOS?

Apple's new operating system for HomePad — based on iOS 27 but optimized for always-on smart display use. Single-task, voice + touch, curated apps.

Does HomePad have FaceTime?

Yes — 12 MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage auto-framing. Supports Group FaceTime (up to 32 participants).

Does HomePad support Matter and Thread?

Yes — both protocols built-in. HomePad can be a Thread border router + HomeKit hub.

Is HomePad a HomeKit hub?

Yes — built-in HomeKit hub. Can control HomeKit accessories remotely + run automations + serve as a Thread border router.

Does HomePad work without an iPhone?

Yes — HomePad is standalone. You can set it up with Apple ID alone, then add HomeKit accessories via QR code scan.

Can HomePad play Apple TV+?

No direct app — HomePad uses AirPlay to stream Apple TV+ from a paired iPhone or Apple TV. HomePad does have Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Arcade.

Can I wall-mount HomePad?

Yes — $249 wall-mounted model comes with magnetic wall mount + PoE+ Ethernet for cleaner installation.

What colors does HomePad come in?

3 colors at launch: White, Midnight, Silver.

Does HomePad support Apple Pay?

Yes — Face ID + Apple Pay for online purchases via Safari (when available).

Can HomePad be a bedside alarm clock?

Yes — Apple has a "Nightstand Mode" that shows time + alarm + weather when charging via USB-C.

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Bottom line: Apple HomePad ($179 tabletop / $249 wall-mounted) launches Oct 20, 2026 — first Apple smart display with homeOS + Apple Intelligence. Best for Apple ecosystem homes with multiple HomeKit devices. Modest 6.1" display but unmatched privacy + Apple Intelligence + FaceTime integration.

For the broader fall 2026 Apple line, see our Apple October 2026 product lineup and Apple TV 4K 2026 refresh.