Rumor Replay: ‘HomePad,’ iPhone 18 camera, Vision Pro 2, more

1 week ago 10

This is Rumor Replay, a new weekly column at 9to5Mac that provides a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with my analysis and commentary. Today: Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ device, Vision Pro 2 release date, iPhone 18 camera change, and more rumors.

‘HomePad’ could be a very compelling new device

The biggest rumor report of the week came from an extensive Mark Gurman piece on a new home product launching this spring, which I’m calling the ‘HomePad.’

The device is a smart display that can be mounted or paired with an external speaker base. Expected features include:

heavy Apple Intelligence focus with an upgraded Siri
StandBy-like widgets, Home app controls, and more
slideshows from the Photos app
built-in security camera and video/audio intercom plus FaceTime
runs Apple apps like Safari, Music, and Notes

This sounds like the home device I’ve been waiting for from Apple.

It takes the key functionality of HomePods, upgrades it with Apple Intelligence and a smarter Siri, then adds so much more to the package: widgets, security camera, slideshows, and then some.

I’m thrilled that we won’t have to wait more than a few months for what feels like Apple’s first compelling mass-market home device.

On a related note, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple also has a smart home camera in the works for 2026. It sounds like a more focused product that Apple can sell at a lower price than the HomePad, but with similar security benefits.

What I’m more curious about is whether this means Apple will start making even more smart home devices like thermostats, lightbulbs, and so on.

Vision Pro 2 release date

US Vision Pro sales | Display model in NY store

Apple continues to launch the Vision Pro in new markets, but the expected M5 Vision Pro 2 is already on its way. Mark Gurman reports that the Vision Pro’s successor is on track for release between fall 2025 and spring 2026.

In thinking about this new model, the Apple Intelligence story is a big area of interest for me. There have been conflicting reports on whether the current Vision Pro has enough computational headroom to power AI or if the new M5 model will be needed. Even with the Vision Pro 2’s release a year or more away, hopefully we’ll get an answer at WWDC in June.

High-end iPhone 18 camera

It’s a couple years off, but at least one high-end iPhone 18 model is expected to get a variable aperture camera, per Ming-Chi Kuo. An in-depth explanation of what this means for photographers is available from my colleague Ben. In short, Apple could improve its Portrait-like depth of field and potentially low-light performance too in some significant ways.

AirPods are becoming health devices

Apple patent describes how it could use AirPods to detect heart disease | Airpods x-ray image with heart-shaped sparkler display

The new hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 are a big deal, but they’re apparently only the start. Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will be following its Apple Watch playbook by continuing to add more health sensors to AirPods in the future. I’m all for it, and think new health features could make AirPods even more indispensable for users than they are today.

iPhone 17 Air expectations reset

A new rumor indicates Apple won’t been able to use the battery tech it originally intended for the iPhone 17 Air. As a result, the device may not be as ultra-thin as expected.

The iPhone was never going to be as thin as the M4 iPad Pro, but even with the purported 6mm thickness of the new battery Apple’s settling for, the company can still make some meaningful size reductions. The iPhone 16 is 7.8mm and the 16 Pro 8.25mm. If Apple can get under 7mm, that’s still a big change—and one that could set the stage for an even thinner model in future years.

Which rumors are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.