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Apple’s rumored smart display may feature a truly innovative hardware element. According to a leaker who has handled an actual prototype, the device, internally dubbed HomePad, might utilize magnets for wall mounting.
These insights come from Kosutami, a well-known collector of prototypes with a proven track record of uncovering unreleased Apple products. In their posts on X, they described viewing a specific version of the HomePad equipped with a MagSafe-like attachment system. The same prototype also integrates doorbell functionality and relies heavily on Apple’s AI capabilities. The concept is a smart home hub that can be placed anywhere, not just propped on a countertop.
This isn’t merely a concept. Kosutami reports witnessing the mechanism firsthand on one particular revision of the ongoing prototypes. The magnetic mount reportedly operates similar to MagSafe, with embedded magnets that grip onto metal surfaces. This would allow users to attach the 7-inch square display to walls, refrigerators, or magnetic stands without the need for drilling.
The prototype also showcased doorbell integration; however, how that appears on-screen wasn’t specified. The magnetic mounting addresses a genuine smart home problem—current displays occupy counter space or are fixed in one spot. Apple’s approach would let users move the hub wherever needed and take it along when they want to move around.
This magnetic mounting suggests a broader strategy. Apple intends for this device to be usable anywhere in the home, not just sitting idle on a nightstand. Coupled with doorbell alerts, it could serve as a portable intercom system, easily carried to the front door. The 7-inch screen and front-facing camera also hint at FaceTime calls that can follow users from room to room.
This flexibility requires sophisticated software. The leaker emphasizes that the prototype depends heavily on Apple’s AI—handling tasks like displaying calendar events or identifying visitors. This also helps explain the previous delays; initial plans aimed for an early 2025 release, then shifted to early 2026. A fall launch seems feasible only if the AI features perform well at launch.
The HomePad is now expected to debut in fall 2026, likely between September and December, possibly alongside new iPhones and MacBooks. While the magnetic mounting appeared in one prototype version, it’s uncertain whether this feature will make it into the final product or be cut before production.
Additionally, the device’s name isn’t yet finalized. Internally, it’s called HomePad, but retail branding could change. What matters most is whether the magnetic mounting makes it to retail shelves. If so, Apple would be introducing a genuinely innovative smart display—a device that finally moves the hub off the counter and onto the wall.





