Apple TV and HomePod mini could soon get a Wi-Fi 6E refresh

The iPhone 16 series is the latest in Apple’s most popular product line, closely followed by the AirPods. However, Apple is present in many other categories where it is not considered a market leader, such as streaming hardware and smart speakers. Apple could try these product categories again next year with the new Apple TV and HomePod mini.

A report of Bloomberg suggests that Apple could launch refreshed versions of its set-top box, Apple TV, and HomePod mini smart speaker in 2025. These refreshed devices would come with a new custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip designed by Apple that will replace that of Broadcom. component in current versions.

The rest of the report focuses on the chip, but learning more about Apple’s efforts in these categories is encouraging. Since these product categories aren’t updated every year, they often seem overlooked and forgotten compared to bestsellers like the iPhone. Sure, the volume they sell is tiny compared to the iPhone, but they’re still an important part of the famous Apple ecosystem.

Apple’s new chip, named “Proxima”, is said to support the Wi-Fi 6E standard, so we can hope to see it in the refreshed Apple TV and HomePod mini as well. Since this would be an Apple-designed solution, we can expect even closer device integration and optimization, allowing Apple to deliver a better and more consistent connected experience. The chip is also expected to arrive in iPhones later in 2025, and integration on iPads and Macs is expected in 2026.

We don’t yet know what other changes Apple will make to the Apple TV and HomePod mini. The company frequently refreshes its products with only new chips, so it could do the same with those as well. Given how important Apple TV Plus has become as a service to the company, we have high hopes for both of these products. Only time and leaks can tell us what Apple’s plan is for the coming year.