Apple TV and HomePod Mini Face Extended Shipping Delays as Code Leaks and Software Betas Signal Incoming 2026 Models

Customers looking to purchase an Apple TV or a HomePod mini through Apple’s official online storefront in the United States are facing prolonged waiting periods, as inventory levels for several popular models and color variants continue to dry up. The widespread availability issues come at a time when industry rumors and internal code discoveries strongly suggest that next-generation versions of both product lines remain on track for release later in 2026. While inventory fluctuations for Apple’s home hardware lineup have occurred intermittently for more than a year, the latest round of shipping lead times marks a significant escalation in supply constraints, with delivery estimates for certain models stretching deep into the autumn season and other configurations becoming completely unavailable to purchase.

An inspection of Apple’s U.S. online store illustrates the extent of the current fulfillment delays across multiple product categories. Among streaming media players, the baseline Apple TV configuration featuring 64GB of internal storage is currently suffering from substantial backorders, with estimated delivery dates slipping into October. The supply situation is even more constrained across the HomePod mini lineup, where specific color options are experiencing severe order backlogs or outright purchasing halts. The orange HomePod mini is currently unavailable to order entirely, with Apple removing the ability for customers to place new orders for the colorway. At the same time, customers attempting to order a yellow HomePod mini are being presented with estimated delivery dates that stretch into November, creating a multi-month lead time for those seeking the colorful compact smart speaker.