Supply Chain Forming for 2025 HomePod With LCD Display

The supply chain for Apple's upcoming HomePod or smart home "Command Center" with an LCD display is increasingly visible as launch approaches, DigiTimes reports.

HomePod Screen FaceTime Redux Blue 1
The paywalled report claims that the device's 7-inch LCD panel will be exclusively supplied by Tianma Microelectronics in China, corroborating other reports dating back to early 2023.

The display panels are believed to cost just $10 each, undercutting other suppliers. Tianma doesn't currently make any displays for existing Apple products, with the company usually opting for the likes of Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE.

DigiTimes adds that Taiwan's Radiant Optoelectronics will handle backlight module production, while China's BYD will be the sole assembly partner.

The device was originally rumored launch in early 2024, but faced repeated delays, initially to late 2024. Supply chain sources claim that Apple issued a shipment schedule targeting a launch in March 2025, but this timeline may have now slipped to the second half of 2025.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 display

iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

Monday April 28, 2025 12:48 pm PDT by
Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors. Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard...
apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Reaches Key Milestone Ahead of Mass Production

Monday April 28, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) for at least one iPhone 17 model, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report. iPhone 17 Air mockup based on rumored design The EVT stage involves Apple testing iPhone 17 prototypes to ensure the hardware works as expected. There are still DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test) stages to...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

20th Anniversary iPhone Likely to Be Made in China Due to 'Extraordinarily Complex' Design

Monday April 28, 2025 4:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely manufacture its 20th anniversary iPhone models in China, despite broader efforts to shift production to India, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In 2027, Apple is planning a "major shake-up" for the iPhone lineup to mark two decades since the original model launched. Gurman's previous reporting indicates the company will introduce a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold"...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Feature

All iPhone 17 Models Again Rumored to Feature 12GB of RAM

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
All upcoming iPhone 17 models will come equipped with 12GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, according to the Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The claim from the Chinese leaker, who has sources within Apple's supply chain, comes a few days after industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all be equipped with 12GB of RAM. ...

Top Rated Comments

Mr_Ed Avatar
15 weeks ago
Hey, at least now when you say “Siri, turn on the living room lights” and Siri replies, “Here’s what I found on the web for ‘mumble dogface in the banana patch’ “ you’ll be able to read it on a screen.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zoboomafoo Avatar
15 weeks ago
These renders feel more harmful than helpful.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
15 weeks ago

This will definitely be very successful. I currently have Echo Show's in every room of my house and the garage. In addition I have a HomePod in the gym, living room and upstairs playroom. HomePod mini in my office. I use Amazons devices to control the thermostat, microwave, lights, garage door, sprinkler system, security cameras, window blinds, door locks and all my sensors that work with Smarthings. The display on the Echo Show was deciding factor. I for one would love to swap out all of my Amazon devices for Apple. That's a total of 14 devices that I would replace. There are a few others in my community that are planning to do the same. The idea of integrating my entire home automation to a single platform is extremely appealing. My personal opinion is if you lie it buy, if not, don't.
Most people have very few smart home devices, let alone situations such as yours. I've seen numbers that only 25-35% of US households have any brand of smart home gadgets, of any sort. It'll do alright, but it's not going to be overly successful. Just like Amazon Show and Google Nest Hub are around, but not terribly common or popular. The most common device I've seen is the Amazon Echo pucks, and the nest speakers after that.

No one in our household or extended really uses FaceTime, so this doesn't make much sense for us...and you know Apple isn't going to support any other two-way video chat on these.. ??‍♂️
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ForkHandles Avatar
15 weeks ago
I can see the attraction of a device like this but I can’t get over the idea that an iPhone and a HomePod form a much better solution.

Perhaps it’s good for younger families?

Children may not have iPhones or access to iPads but still want to play their favourite songs.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DickieSmith Avatar
15 weeks ago
I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HJM.NL Avatar
15 weeks ago

I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.
I think it’s a big pill to swallow ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)