- A new report says Apple is running low on Apple TVs and HomePod minis
- This could indicate new versions are about to launch
- Past rumors have said these products will get new models soon
Are you in the market for a new Apple TV or HomePod mini? If so, you might find it tricky to get one, as several Apple Stores have been running low on stock of both devices. But far from a one-off blip, these shortages might suggest that new models are about to land.
There have been rumors for some time that Apple is planning to launch new versions of these devices, but this is the first time we’ve seen claims that Apple’s existing stock is running low.
According to an example given by MacRumors, the Apple Store at Regent Street in London is completely sold out of all five colors of the HomePod mini. The website adds that some HomePod mini and Apple TV models are out of stock at other locations, but online availability seems to be better.
When Apple’s stock runs low – either online or in physical stores – it’s often a sign that the company is gearing up to discontinue the product in question. That, in turn, is an indication that a new version is on the cusp of being released.
That’s what could be happening with the Apple TV and the HomePod mini. That idea is strengthened by the fact that several sources have claimed that new versions are on the way, with the updated versions expected to arrive before the end of the year.
What can we expect?
According to the grapevine, the next Apple TV will pack in an A17 chip for faster performance and support for Apple Intelligence-infused Siri, plus a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip that will offer either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. There have been rumors that a future Apple TV will feature a built-in FaceTime camera, but it’s not clear if that will make it into the next model.
As for the HomePod mini, this is expected to come with an S9 chip (or potentially something newer) that, like the A17, will support Apple Intelligence-powered Siri, plus an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. Sound quality will apparently be stepped up, while a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip and new color options (such as red) are also mooted.
The updates to both the Apple TV and the HomePod mini have been slated to arrive soon, with Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claiming in his Power On newsletter that they are “still very much on the road map.”
Gurman has said that Apple could launch new products “as early as this week” in a post on X, but it’s not clear if that includes the Apple TV and HomePod mini. Regardless, they’re seemingly on the way soon – an idea that the Apple Store stock shortages have only strengthened.
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