Apple is preparing significant updates to three rarely refreshed products: the Studio Display, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K, with new features including ProMotion displays, upgraded chips, and AI capabilities.
Apple has a pattern of letting some products languish for years between updates, but 2026 appears to be the year of catch-up for several key devices. Following the recent launch of AirTag 2, three more products with years-old prior models are reportedly getting significant upgrades: the Studio Display, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K.
Apple Studio Display 2: A Long-Awaited Refresh
The Studio Display, last updated in March 2022, is finally getting its successor. This marks a significant departure from Apple's typical display update cycle, where products like the Pro Display XDR have gone untouched since 2019.
Rumored Features for Studio Display 2
According to the latest reports, the new Studio Display will include several major upgrades:
- A19 chip for enhanced processing capabilities
- ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals
- HDR support for improved color and contrast
- Center Stage camera (similar to those found in recent Macs, iPads, and iPhones)
These upgrades position the Studio Display 2 as a much more capable companion for Apple's professional lineup, particularly with the rumored M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models expected to launch around the same time.
HomePod mini 2: Smart Home Gets Smarter
Apple's smart speaker lineup has been waiting for an update since November 2020, making the HomePod mini one of the company's longest-running products without a refresh. The delay appears to be tied to Apple's AI strategy, with Siri's feature delays reportedly causing a domino effect on new Home products.
Expected Upgrades for HomePod mini 2
The new HomePod mini is rumored to include:
- Upgraded S-class chip for improved performance
- Enhanced audio quality for better sound reproduction
- Full Siri and Apple Intelligence support once the AI assistant launches
- Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for improved spatial awareness
- N1 wireless chip for better connectivity
- New color options to refresh the product's appearance
The timing is particularly interesting, as the HomePod mini 2 is expected to launch alongside iOS 26.4 in March or April, coinciding with Apple's broader AI push.
Apple TV 4K: Set-Top Box Gets a Boost
Like the HomePod mini, the Apple TV 4K was originally rumored for a 2025 launch but appears to have been delayed due to Siri's AI feature timeline. The current model, released in November 2022, is now due for a significant upgrade.
Rumored Features for New Apple TV 4K
- A17 Pro chip for substantial performance gains
- Apple Intelligence and AI Siri support for enhanced voice control
- N1 wireless chip for improved connectivity
- Dolby Vision 2 support for next-generation HDR content
- Potential built-in camera (though this remains uncertain)
The wildcard feature here is the rumored built-in camera, which would be a significant departure from traditional set-top box design. While Apple has reportedly tested models with cameras, it's unclear if this feature will make it to the final product.
The Bigger Picture: Apple's AI-Driven Product Strategy
These updates reveal an interesting pattern in Apple's product development strategy. Rather than updating products on a regular schedule, Apple appears to be bundling significant upgrades around major technological shifts—in this case, the company's broader AI and Apple Intelligence initiatives.
This approach makes strategic sense: by waiting to update multiple products until they can incorporate the latest AI capabilities, Apple ensures that its entire ecosystem benefits from new technologies simultaneously. It also helps justify the long wait between updates for these rarely refreshed products.
What's Next for Apple's Product Line?
While these three products are getting much-needed attention, Apple still has several other devices that haven't seen updates in years. The Pro Display XDR, last updated in 2019, remains one of the company's most overdue products. Similarly, the Mac Pro and various Mac mini configurations could use attention in the coming year.
For now, though, the focus appears to be on these three products, with launches expected throughout the spring of 2026. The timing suggests Apple is preparing for a major showcase of its AI capabilities across its entire product lineup, from displays and speakers to streaming devices.
As these products begin to launch, it will be interesting to see how Apple balances the need for regular updates with its strategy of waiting for significant technological leaps. For consumers, however, the prospect of finally getting updated versions of these long-neglected products is certainly welcome news.
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