Apple has finally introduced new HomePod and Apple TV models that support the new Siri AI, debuting HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K (4th generation) on the 13th October.

However, there is confusion if older models will also receive the newer version of the intelligent assistant, as Apple has been slightly unclear if some devices are capable of running these AI features. The company has also announced that some older Apple TV models will get Siri AI support, despite customers being led to believe that those chips can't run Apple Intelligence.

So, let's break it down.

Apple Intelligence Compatibility

Firstly, let's break down what devices and chipsets are required to support Apple Intelligence.

A-Series Chips

Apple's AI features are currently only compatible with the iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPhone 15 Pro or newer, as the device needs the A17 Pro chip or newer. This means supposedly only six A-series chips can run Apple Intelligence and Siri AI:

  • A17 Pro
  • A18
  • A18 Pro
  • A19
  • A19 Pro
  • A20 Pro

M-Series Chips

All M-Series chips can run Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. This means any Mac, iPad or Apple Vision Pro with M1 or newer has Apple's additional AI capabilities.

S-Series Chips

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are believed to only work with the S9, S10 and S11 chips. This is because with the introduction of Siri AI and Apple Intelligence to the Apple Watch in watchOS 27, only models with these three chipsets could upgrade. This meant anything older than the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 no longer received the latest software.

This breakdown gives us a good idea about which chips support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI:

  • All M-Series chips
  • Six A-Series since A17 Pro
  • S9, S10 and S11

So how are older Apple TV models - and potentially HomePod models - going to support Siri AI?

Apple TV 4K

Before the new model was announced, it seemed like a safe assumption that the 2022 Apple TV 4K with A15 Bionic will not support Siri AI, and that you'll need the newer 2026 model with A19 for the latest AI features.

However, in the official press release from Apple introducing the new TV model, the fine print says:

Access to Siri AI is also available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and later.

This means that Siri AI will supposedly run on two older Apple TV 4K models with the A12 Bionic and A15 Bionic chipsets.

A12 Bionic was used in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR all of which are not compatible with iOS 27. A15 Bionic was used in the iPhone 13, which supports iOS 27 but missed out on Siri AI.

Why can these older chips run Siri AI on the TV but not the iPhone?

The difference, I suspect, is that the Siri AI capabilities on these older TV models could relay to an Apple Intelligence iPhone, rather than processing requests on the device itself.

This means older Apple TV 4K models could connect to Siri AI on the owner’s iPhone, if they have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and use the processing power of the newer chip in that device. Apple can get away with this workaround as the TV stays in one place in your home, and when you're home your iPhone is also there with you.

This has not been confirmed by Apple.

HomePod

If you thought things were already complicated - it's only going to get worse.

There are a total of four HomePod models Apple has created since the product category made its debut in early 2018:

  • HomePod (1st generation) with A8
  • HomePod (2nd generation) with S7
  • HomePod mini with S5
  • HomePod mini 2 with S10

Based on these chips, you'd expect the only Siri AI-capable HomePod device to be the HomePod mini 2 with S10. You'd be correct - for now - but it's unclear if the HomePod (2nd generation) will get Siri AI in a future update.

Additionally, major publication CNET ran a story that the original HomePod mini will get Siri AI. This claim has since been walked back, but has confused the situation even more. So, here are the facts.

Original HomePod mini will not get Siri AI

As far as we can tell, the original HomePod mini with S5 is not getting Siri AI. Apple did not add a footnote anywhere that Siri AI will be available on this device, as we saw with the Apple TV 4K.

To further back this up, the S5 chip is the same chip found in the Apple Watch Series 5 from 2019, which does not support the latest software and AI features.

Finally, Siri AI is not mentioned on the technical specifications page of the original model, and is simply referred to as Siri. The Siri glow in the images also shows the older Classic Siri colours.

Siri AI coming to HomePod mini 2 in a future software update

The HomePod mini 2 releases on Friday, 30th October, and may ship without Siri AI.

Apple says Siri AI is coming to this device in a 'future software update'. This could be a software update on release day, or you may be using your new mini 2 with Classic Siri for a few weeks before Siri AI makes its debut.

HomePod (2nd generation) Siri AI support remains unclear

Apple released this HomePod model in 2023, with the S7 chip before both Apple Intelligence and Siri AI were a thing.

Our breakdown of supported chips from earlier immediately suggests this HomePod cannot support Siri AI on-device, but there is a possibility the HomePod could relay to an iPhone in a future update.

This has not been confirmed by Apple, but there are hints suggesting this is a possibility.

Firstly, the product page has been updated with the new Siri AI colours in the Siri section, and the glow on the top of the device also shows the new Siri AI colour theme.

Secondly, a new feature called 'Sound Glow', which requires an Apple Intelligence iPhone, is coming to this HomePod model according to Apple's own website:

1. Voice control for Sound Glow requires an Apple Intelligence‑enabled iPhone running the latest software.

This shows it can relay Apple Intelligence features from a capable iPhone, and could potentially do the same with Siri AI.

However, the exact words 'Siri AI' do not appear anywhere on this page, and it makes me doubt if it will arrive because surely Apple would want to advertise this new capability?

To Summarise

If you're looking for an Apple TV 4K with Siri AI, Apple has explicitly made it clear that these three models will support the assistant:

  • Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
  • Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
  • Apple TV 4K (4th generation)

The difference may just be that the newer model can process Siri AI directly on the device, whereas the older models will relay from your iPhone.

Now, if you're looking for a HomePod with Siri AI, I can only confidently state that the new HomePod mini 2 supports it.

However, if you have a HomePod (2nd generation), I'd wait until Apple releases the Siri AI software update for the HomePod mini 2, to see if Siri AI comes to your device too. This way, you'll potentially save your money and get to keep the better speaker from the larger HomePod model.