New full-sized HomePod expected to launch this year with updated touch control panel and S8 chip

Apple is still expected to release a new version of its now-discontinued full-sized HomePod this year, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggesting that the updated model could feature a new touch control panel on the top, the S8 chip found in the latest Apple Watch lineup and a new, lower price point.

Writing in his weekly Power On newsletter on Sunday, Gurman said that “the return of the larger HomePod size is still set for this year,” suggesting that the speaker will be a similar size to the original 6.8-inch tall model, warning not to “expect anything revolutionary about it,” reporting that the speaker will likely be updated with the S8 chip and improvements to the touch control panel.

Gurman has previously reported that Apple’s next full-sized HomePod could add multi-touch functionality, although no further details were shared, suggesting that the new model will have a “design similar to the model from 2018.”

Respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to report in May last year that he believed a new HomePod was in development, with code from Apple’s first iOS 16 developer beta unearthing references to an unreleased model named “AudioAccessory6,” which seemingly confirmed a new version of the Siri smart speaker was being worked on.