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

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses to Expand to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:27 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Below, we outline which U.S. states and territories offer the feature, and additional states that have committed to rolling it out in...

Top Rated Comments

Mr_Ed Avatar
3 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
3 weeks ago
These renders feel more harmful than helpful.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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)