Apple's leaked HomePod mini 2, iPad mini 8, and Apple TV 4K point to an October reveal

Apple's own leaked code reveals a HomePod mini 2, iPad mini 8, and fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, all expected in October. The iPad mini 8 gets an OLED screen, a faster chip, and water resistance.

Apple's own code (surfaced by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris) reveals three as-yet unannounced products expected to launch in October 2026: HomePod mini 2, iPad mini 8, and a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K. None of these are the big dogs of the next release cycle. That title goes to the revised, Siri AI-powered HomePod with a screen, still a way off. But there are some decent upgrades here as John Ternus gets his feet under the desk.

iPad mini 8

Given the popularity of using the iPad mini 8 as an on-set monitor on low-budget productions (Accsoon even makes a PowerCage for it), any updates here are welcome ones. The iPad mini 8 upgrades to an A20 Pro chip, the same one as in the iPhone 18 Pro and Duo foldable, which is a decent step up from the A17 Pro in the mini 7.

The front-facing camera is finally relocated to the landscape edge, making it the last iPad to make this transition, and according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it also features an OLED display.

There’s also a new vibration-based speaker design, which Gurman has tied to added water resistance for the unit. Simply put, it means that Apple doesn’t have to drill any holes in the aluminium chassis for the audio, and whatever occurs here will be an improvement on the unit’s current non-existent water resistance.

There are no confirmed screen size or weight figures yet, but the screen is rumoured to be increasing, along with, sadly, the price. For those that want to make a comparison when it officially drops the outgoing model is an 8.3-inch, 293 g (10.3 oz) device, and currently costs $599.

HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K (4th generation)

Details here are sketchier. The HomePod mini 2 carries over the now venerable 2020 design but adds new colors. Muted green, pink, blue, white, and black replace the current bright orange, yellow, and blue options. No processor or audio details have leaked yet, but you would expect decent upgrades on the processor at the very minimum.

The Apple TV 4K (4th generation) has been long rumored to the point where it is now effectively late to the market. The delay appears to stem from Apple waiting for Siri AI to ship, which looks to be the main functional step up for what remains a basic if useful device. Expect the design to cleave very closely to the current form factor, while internal upgrades are likely to feature an A17 Pro-class chip and Apple's in-house N1 Bluetooth/Wi-Fi chip.