Apple releases TV 4k with big price hike, HomeView and HomePod mini 2

Apple unveiled its latest Apple TV 4k and two new smart home devices on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a four-year wait for the tech giant's newest home offerings. The new Apple TV 4k will be significantly more expensive, with a starting price of $299 (around R4,934 in South Africa), raising concerns for local consumers.

During the 'Welcome Home' event, Apple showcased a host of product refreshes alongside a brand new smart home control dubbed HomeView. The star of the show, Apple TV 4k, is packing a powerful A19 chip - the same silicon found in the iPhone 17. This upgrade brings a significant performance leap and increases the base storage capacity to 128GB. The new streaming box retains its familiar compact design, but internally, users will experience a dramatic leap in processing capability.

In addition to the media streamer, Apple introduced its first smart home display, HomeView, which is unlike their traditional standalone speaker lineup. Leaked specifications hint at a 5.73-inch square display mounted on a metallic arm and anchored by a rounded base, reminiscent of the early-2000s G4 iMac. Positioned as the central command centre for the Apple ecosystem, HomeView will unify Apple TVs, MacBooks, HomePods, and compatible smart devices such as video doorbells and security cameras.

Deep integration with the next-generation Siri AI will make voice interaction the primary means for users to manage their connected spaces, with Apple marketing the HomeView as a multi-room device designed to be placed throughout living spaces.

Apple also unveiled a refreshed HomePod mini 2 for $149 (R2,458 before local taxes, duties, and retail markups), boasting faster Wi-Fi performance and upgraded Siri AI features, all designed to seamlessly integrate with the new HomePod ecosystem.