A new leak from prototype collector Kosutami suggests Apple’s long-rumoured HomePad will include a MagSafe-style magnetic wall-mounting system and doorbell integration, adding physical installation flexibility to a device that has been in development for several years without a confirmed launch window.
The snap-to-wall capability points to Apple treating the HomePad as a permanent fixture in the home rather than a portable device, a design philosophy that separates it from the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, which both sit on flat surfaces without a dedicated wall-mounting mechanism built into the hardware itself.
Kosutami, who claims to have seen the prototype in person, describes the device as heavily reliant on Apple Intelligence, suggesting the on-device AI framework Apple has been rolling out across iPhone, iPad, and Mac forms the core interaction layer rather than a traditional touch-and-app interface.
The HomePad carries a reported 7-inch square display and a front-facing camera, a form factor that aligns with Apple’s established visual language across the iPad mini and positions the device to handle video calls, glanceable information, and smart home control from a fixed point in a kitchen or hallway.
Apple has reportedly been developing the HomePad for several years, with the project experiencing multiple internal delays tied to Apple Intelligence reaching a sufficient level of maturity to underpin the device’s intended functionality rather than hardware development challenges.
Release timeline
The release timeline has slipped twice already, moving from an originally rumoured early 2025 window to early 2026 and now to autumn 2026, a period that typically covers September through December and aligns with Apple’s busiest annual release cycle.
An autumn launch would place the HomePad alongside expected announcements, including the iPhone 18 Pro, in September and potentially redesigned MacBook Pro models later in the quarter, giving Apple a densely packed release window across multiple product categories.
Kosutami noted that while HomePad circulates as an internal name, it remains unclear whether Apple will use that name for the final commercial product.
