Apple HomeView Wins Early Praise in Hands-On Reviews
Apple’s 7-inch HomeView smart display draws solid early reviews for design and kitchen fit ahead of Friday’s launch.
TL;DR
- HomeView features a 7-inch square 1088×1088 display at 220 ppi with 500 nits brightness and True Tone.
- Sound sits between HomePod mini and full-size model; no physical buttons and no App Store yet.
- Priced at $299 for both tabletop and wall versions; wall mounts cost extra from $59.95.
Apple’s HomeView smart display is drawing solid early praise from reviewers ahead of Friday’s launch. The 7-inch square screen sits on a rounded aluminum base with a tilting hinge and comes in Starlight, Rose Pink, Silver, and Space Gray.
Design and build
Reviewers call the square shape a smart move that makes it feel like a dedicated home device rather than a propped-up iPad. The display hits 1088 by 1088 resolution at 220 pixels per inch, reaches 500 nits, and dims to 0.3 nits with True Tone support. It fits neatly on kitchen counters without eating too much space.
Sound and features
Sound comes from dual full-range drivers in the display plus a down-firing woofer and passive radiators in the base. Testers say it lands between a HomePod mini and a full-size HomePod—respectable for music and podcasts—and it works as an AirPlay target. No physical buttons, though, which several reviewers found annoying for quick volume tweaks.
Software and apps
The interface leans on watchOS-style faces and widgets. The Modular face shows four square widgets at a glance, while the Photos face turns it into a digital frame with Shared Album support. Built-in Apple apps run through a CarPlay-like system, but there’s no App Store yet. Reviewers want more apps, especially Notes for recipes.
Price and options
Both tabletop and wall-mounted versions cost $299. Wall mounts from Schneider Electric run $59.95 to $129.95 and must be bought separately.
Reviewer takes
9to5Mac called it “adorable” and said it earns its spot on the counter. The Verge liked the smart-home control, guided cooking, and photo-frame looks but noted clunky personal-data sharing and occasional slow Siri responses. MacRumors highlighted its kitchen-counter fit and $299 price point.
The Tea
Apple is late to smart displays, but the HomeView’s compact design and watch-like faces could make it the first one families actually keep on the counter instead of ignoring. The missing apps and button-free design are the obvious next fixes if Apple wants to keep the good buzz going.
Sources
- 9to5Mac: Apple HomeView review: An adorable smart display that earns its place
- MacRumors: Review: Is Apple’s All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299?
- The Verge: Apple’s HomeView is my new favorite smart display — but not my daughter’s
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