 7-inch smart home hub with Siri AI and six-person face recognition. Specs, features, price and release date){kind=link}
Apple has finally entered the smart display category. At its “Welcome Home” event on October 13, 2026, the company announced Apple HomeView, a 7-inch smart home hub that costs $299 (₹39,900 in India), recognises up to six people by face and runs the new Siri AI. Pre-orders are open now and the device ships on November 13.
This guide covers everything announced so far: design, display, sound quality, Siri AI requirements, privacy, smart home support, pricing in the US, UK and India, wall-mount costs, the new Apple Home accessories and whether HomeView is worth buying.
Key takeaways
- Price: $299 / £299 / ₹39,900 for both tabletop and wall-mounted versions.
- Release: pre-orders open now; on sale November 13, 2026.
- Display: 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen with Siri AI.
- Profiles: face recognition for up to six people, each with a personal Home Screen.
- Catch: full Siri AI needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone or iPad; no App Store; not available in the EU.
Apple HomeView specs at a glance
| Feature | Apple HomeView |
|---|---|
| Announced | October 13, 2026 (“Welcome Home” event) |
| Price | $299 / £299 / ₹39,900 (same for tabletop and wall-mounted) |
| Display | 7-inch square Liquid Retina touchscreen (1088 × 1088), True Tone, auto brightness from 0.3 to 500 nits |
| Versions | Tabletop with speaker base, or wall-mounted (screen only) |
| Colours | Tabletop: Silver, Starlight, Rose Pink, Space Gray. Wall-mounted: Silver, Space Gray |
| Audio | Two full-range drivers with Spatial Audio; tabletop base adds a down-firing woofer and two passive radiators |
| Camera | FaceTime camera with Center Stage (reported as 12MP) and a four-mic array |
| Chip | A18, according to pre-launch Bloomberg reports |
| Smart home | Matter and Thread support; works with the Apple Home app and compatible third-party accessories |
| Users | Face recognition for up to 6 people with personal Home Screens |
| Software | Siri AI, Safari, News, Music, Podcasts, Intercom; no App Store |
| On sale | November 13, 2026 (pre-orders open now) |
| Not available in | The EU |
Specifications are drawn from Apple’s announcement as reported by MacRumors, Macworld, Tom’s Guide and Gizmodo. The chip and camera resolution come from reporting rather than a confirmed Apple spec sheet, so treat them as likely but not final.
What is Apple HomeView?
HomeView is Apple’s answer to Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. It is a touchscreen hub that sits on a kitchen counter, nightstand or wall and acts as the control centre for your home. It combines a smart speaker, a video-calling screen, a camera and doorbell viewer, and a family organiser in a single device. It is also a step towards ambient computing, where technology fades into the background and works without constant prompting.
The product has been a long time coming. TechCrunch notes that it was reportedly delayed by problems with Siri, which is why the launch is built around the new Siri AI assistant. Apple’s smart home record has been mixed, and the HomePod has not matched the popularity of rival speakers, so HomeView is a high-stakes product for the company.
Design and display: tabletop vs wall-mounted
The tabletop model pairs a 7-inch square display with a domed aluminium speaker base. A stainless steel hinge lets you tilt the screen, and the overall look has been compared to the classic G4 iMac. The wall-mounted model drops the base and is just the screen, held by a purpose-built mount.
- Display: 7-inch Liquid Retina, 1088 × 1088, True Tone, brightness from 0.3 to 500 nits so it works as a dim nightstand clock or a bright kitchen screen.
- Distance-aware interface: from across the room you see larger, simpler information; up close you get more detail.
- Faces: Photos, Flow (reacts to movement), Snoopy (follows time of day and weather), Home Modular (quick accessory controls) and Home Camera, which streams up to nine camera feeds at once.
Pick a version to see its colours
Wall-mounted: Silver and Space Gray only.
Sound: Spatial Audio and iPhone handoff
Audio is a headline feature of the tabletop model. Two full-range drivers sit in the display, while the base adds a down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators. Apple supports Spatial Audio and multiroom playback, and you can hand off audio by placing an iPhone in front of HomeView.
The wall-mounted version uses two custom drivers with computational audio tuned for wall placement. Expect it to sound noticeably thinner than the tabletop model, so music lovers should lean towards the version with the speaker base.
Siri AI and Apple Intelligence on HomeView
HomeView is Apple’s showcase for the new Siri AI. It answers questions conversationally, takes actions across apps and can surface information from Messages, Calendar and your Apple Music playlists. You can also adjust how expressive Siri’s voice sounds and how fast it speaks, and Siri AI conversations sync across your devices.
Important: you still need an iPhone for the full experience
For personal features such as finding a recipe a friend sent in Messages or checking your calendar, HomeView pulls context from a nearby Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network. Without one, you get a more basic assistant. Not sure your phone qualifies? Our iPhone 18 guide explains how Siri AI works on the new models.
Multi-user recognition and privacy
The standout feature is face recognition for up to six household members. When someone walks up, HomeView switches to their personal Home Screen with their own apps, widgets, messages, contacts, calendar, notes and reminders. Photos and music can be shared with everyone, including guests, while content marked personal stays hidden from other users.
Privacy is central to Apple’s pitch, as Gizmodo points out. Apple Intelligence can describe what is happening in footage from supported cameras, and with an iCloud+ plan and compatible cameras HomeView can recognise people, familiar faces, pets, packages and vehicles. It can also listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and alert you.
Smart home control: Matter, Thread and cameras
As a hub, HomeView controls lights, locks, thermostats, blinds and other accessories by touch or voice through the Home Modular face. It supports Matter and Thread, which means it can work with many non-Apple devices. Siri can show camera feeds, adjust the thermostat, switch lights and lock doors, and the display shows a doorbell chime when someone arrives.
Advanced video features need a 2TB iCloud+ plan. Gizmodo reports that automatic video descriptions, which used to require an Apple Intelligence iPhone, now need only HomeView and that subscription.
Kitchen, FaceTime and everyday features
- Recipes: converts web recipes into step-by-step instructions with hands-free timers and ingredient tracking.
- FaceTime: Center Stage keeps you in frame as you move around the kitchen.
- Intercom: send quick messages to the household; multiple HomeViews can work as an intercom network.
- Built-in apps: Calendar, Messages, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Music, Podcasts, Safari and News.
- Handoff and multiroom: continue audio from your iPhone or play across several speakers.
Apple HomeView price in the US, UK and India
HomeView costs $299 / £299 / ₹39,900, and the wall-mounted version is not cheaper than the tabletop one. The wall mount is a separate purchase made by Schneider Home, which pushes the real cost of a wall setup higher.
| Item | US | UK | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeView (tabletop or wall) | $299 | £299 | ₹39,900 |
| Power Mount USB-C (adapter not included) | $59.95 | £54.95 | from ₹6,900 |
| Power Mount AC Wired | $79.95 | £69.95 | ₹8,900 |
| Power Mount PoE Wired | $129.95 | £119.95 | ₹14,900 |
Mount pricing comes from Tom’s Guide, Macworld and Digit. The higher-end wired mounts are not all available at launch, with early 2027 reported, so check Apple’s store before planning a wall installation.
HomeView total cost calculator
Without JavaScript, use the price table above: tabletop $299 / £299 / ₹39,900; wall mounts extra. Taxes and the USB-C power adapter are not included. Higher-end wired mounts may ship later.
Release date and availability
Pre-orders opened on October 13, 2026, and HomeView goes on sale on Friday, November 13, 2026. Pre-orders are open in six countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India. In India, you can order from Apple’s website and the Apple Store app.
HomeView is not coming to the EU for the foreseeable future, because Siri AI is not currently available in iOS there.
New Apple Home accessories
Apple also announced a range of Apple Home accessories, which it says arrive in December. Our Apple Home Collection guide has the full details, and the lineup has not been announced for India yet. As reported by Tom’s Guide, US prices are:
| Accessory | US price |
|---|---|
| LG Smart Deadbolt Lock (unlocks via UWB from iPhone or Apple Watch) | $349 |
| LG Indoor Cam | $199 |
| LG Outdoor Cam (floodlight version $399) | $299 |
| LG Wired Video Doorbell | $249 |
| LG Smart Thermostat | $199 |
| Schneider Home Smart Thermostat | $199 |
Also announced: HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K
- HomePod mini 2 ($149): S10 chip with Siri AI support, new SoundGlow LED that reacts to album artwork, five colours, on sale October 30. That is $50 more than the original. Our HomePod mini 2 setup guide walks you through getting started.
- Apple TV 4K ($299 / ₹39,900 in India): A19 chip, hands-free Siri AI, support for up to four HomePods and a redesigned remote with a speaker and Find My. On sale November 13, and some buyers have criticised the price.
Should you buy Apple HomeView?
| Buy it if… | Skip or wait if… |
|---|---|
| You live in the Apple ecosystem and own an Apple Intelligence iPhone | You use Android or an older iPhone without Apple Intelligence |
| You want a shared family hub with personal profiles | You want an app store with third-party apps |
| You use Matter or HomeKit accessories and want a central display | You plan to wall mount and want the cheapest setup |
| Privacy matters more to you than the lowest price | You live in the EU, where it is unavailable |
At $299, HomeView is priced above many rival smart displays, and the missing App Store and iPhone dependence limit it. But the face-based profiles, Spatial Audio and deep Home integration give it a clear identity. Wait for hands-on reviews before the November 13 launch if you are undecided.
Apple HomeView FAQ
What is Apple HomeView?
Apple HomeView is a 7-inch smart home hub with a Liquid Retina touchscreen that Apple announced on October 13, 2026. It controls HomeKit, Matter and Thread accessories, makes FaceTime calls, plays music with Spatial Audio and runs the new Siri AI assistant.
How much does Apple HomeView cost?
HomeView costs $299 in the US, £299 in the UK and ₹39,900 in India. The price is the same for the tabletop and wall-mounted versions. Wall mounts are sold separately: $59.95 to $129.95 in the US and from ₹6,900 in India.
When is the Apple HomeView release date?
Pre-orders opened on October 13, 2026 and HomeView goes on sale on Friday, November 13, 2026. Some wired wall mounts arrive later, with early 2027 reported for the higher-end options.
Is Apple HomeView available in India?
Yes. India is one of six launch markets, along with the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is priced at ₹39,900 and can be pre-ordered from Apple’s website and the Apple Store app, with sales starting on November 13.
Does HomeView work without an iPhone?
HomeView works as a standalone smart display for basic tasks, but Apple says the full Siri AI experience, including answers drawn from your Messages, Calendar and emails, needs an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad nearby.
Does Apple HomeView have an App Store?
No. HomeView ships with built-in apps such as Safari, News, Music, Podcasts, FaceTime, Intercom and smart home controls. A few third-party media apps are supported through the CarPlay app framework.
Is Apple HomeView available in Europe?
No. Apple HomeView is not launching in the EU for the foreseeable future because Siri AI is not currently available in iOS there.
Does HomeView support Matter and Thread?
Yes. Gizmodo reports that HomeView supports both Matter and Thread, so it can work with a wide range of existing smart home accessories, not just Apple’s own.
Final thoughts
Apple HomeView is the company’s most serious attempt yet at a home hub. Its strengths are the personalised multi-user screen, strong audio on the tabletop model and tight Siri AI integration. Its limits are the iPhone requirement, the extra wall-mount cost and no EU launch. We will update this guide as hands-on reviews and more India details arrive.
Last updated: October 16, 2026.