A new leak from prototype collector Kostami suggests that Apple’s long-rumored HomePad will include a MagSafe-style magnetic wall-mounting system and doorbell integration, adding physical installation flexibility to a device that has been in development for several years with no confirmed release date.
The ability to snap to the wall shows that Apple is treating the HomePad as a permanent fixture in your home rather than a portable device, a design philosophy that distinguishes it from the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, which don’t have a dedicated wall-mounting mechanism built into the hardware themselves and sit on flat surfaces.
Kostami, who claims to have seen the prototype firsthand, said the device relies heavily on Apple Intelligence, suggesting that the on-device AI framework that Apple deploys on iPhones, iPads, and Macs forms the core interaction layer, rather than traditional touch and app interfaces.
The HomePad features a reported 7-inch square display and front-facing camera. This form factor aligns with the visual language Apple has established across iPad mini, positioning the device to handle video calls, at-a-glance information, and smart home controls from a fixed point in the kitchen or hallway.
Apple has reportedly been developing the HomePad for several years, and the project has experienced multiple internal delays related to Apple Intelligence reaching a sufficient level of maturity to support the device’s intended functionality, rather than hardware development challenges.
release timeline
The release schedule has already shifted twice, from the originally rumored early 2025 to early 2026, and now fall 2026, which typically runs from September to December, coinciding with Apple’s busiest annual release cycle.
For fall launches, the HomePad will be lined up with expected announcements in September including the iPhone 18 Pro, and a redesigned MacBook Pro model could also be unveiled later in the quarter, giving Apple a congested release window across multiple product categories.
Kostami noted that while HomePad has been circulating as an internal name, it remains unclear whether Apple will use the name for its final commercial products.
