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Marques Brownlee’s “skip for most people” verdict is mainly about value, not capability. Apple HomeView is a polished $299 smart-home display with a 7-inch screen, Siri, speakers, FaceTime and Apple Home controls. However, households that already use an iPad, phone, smart speaker or another smart display may gain too little from a dedicated HomeView screen to justify the price. It is most defensible for Apple-centered homes that want a permanently available shared dashboard and accept Apple’s accessory and device requirements.
What MKBHD actually said
Dexerto reports that Brownlee praised HomeView’s 7-inch touchscreen, speakers and facial recognition but questioned whether those features justify the cost for people who already have a smart-home setup. A creator quote index attributes this sentence to him: “So yeah, my first impression is I think it’s a skip for most people, but maybe the second generation at some point when it comes out can be more convincing.”
This is an initial hands-on impression, not a laboratory test, long-term reliability result or claim that HomeView does not work. The practical meaning is narrower: HomeView’s functions are real, but the extra value over devices many households already own may be limited.
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What Apple HomeView does
Apple introduced HomeView on October 13, 2026. It combines a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, Siri AI, speakers, FaceTime and Apple Home controls in a dedicated home device. Apple says it can recognize household members and show personal information from Messages, Calendar and Apple Music when an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad is paired.
#1 Best Overall
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- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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Apple describes the experience as one that “recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience.” In practice, the display is intended to move between a shared household interface and an identified person’s information.
| Specification | Apple’s stated detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 7-inch Liquid Retina with True Tone |
| Processor | A18 chip |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage camera |
| Brightness | Automatic brightness from 0.3 to 500 nits |
| Connectivity and power | Wi-Fi operation and wired power |
| U.S. price | $299 starting price |
| U.S. availability | November 13, 2026 |
Price and the hidden cost of wall mounting
Apple’s U.S. store lists both configurations at $299. The tabletop version includes a speaker base, adjustable display positioning, a USB-C cable and a 30W power adapter.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The wall-mounted version costs the same before installation, but Apple sells it without a mount, USB-C cable or power adapter. Each compatible item is sold separately. Therefore, its real installed cost is higher than $299, although no prices for the mount, cable, adapter or labor are stated.
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Apple households wanting one shared screen
HomeView makes the most sense when several people want a fixed place to check Home controls, weather, calendars, music, household status and FaceTime. A dedicated screen can be more convenient than passing around a phone or opening an app on a tablet.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
People already invested in Apple Home
Apple says HomeView works with Apple Home and Matter accessories. The broader named ecosystem includes cameras, thermostats and a lock, as well as Apple Home Collection products developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. If your accessories are already organized in Apple Home, HomeView can serve as a visible control point rather than another unrelated hub.
Buyers who accept the personal-content requirements
Personalized content requires a paired iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network, with that device recently unlocked. Face recognition then switches the interface to the identified household member. If you do not own a compatible iPhone or iPad, or do not want that nearby-device dependency, one of HomeView’s distinctive features is unavailable.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Who should skip it
- Existing tablet owners: An iPad can provide a dashboard while remaining useful for browsing, apps, work and travel.
- Homes outside Apple Home: HomeView is a poor fit if your devices and routines are managed elsewhere.
- Buyers seeking an open app platform: HomeView is designed around Apple’s services and controls rather than broad tablet flexibility.
- Households that already own a suitable smart display or speaker: The dedicated screen may duplicate functions you already have.
- Wall-mount buyers on a tight budget: Required mounting and power hardware raises the total beyond the advertised device price.
HomeView compared with common alternatives
| Decision factor | Apple HomeView | iPad dashboard | Amazon Echo Show | Google Nest Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem | Apple Home and Matter | Flexible tablet apps; smart-home support depends on the apps and hubs used | Amazon Alexa ecosystem; Matter support varies by model and setup | Google Home ecosystem; Matter support varies by model and setup |
| Personalized interface | Requires a paired, recently unlocked iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network | Uses the iPad’s own accounts and apps | Model and account dependent | Model and account dependent |
| Dedicated-screen convenience | Purpose-built, always-visible home screen | Requires an available tablet and stand or mount | Purpose-built smart display | Purpose-built smart display |
| Camera and calling | 12MP Center Stage camera and FaceTime | iPad model dependent | Model dependent | Model dependent |
| Total cost | $299; wall version needs separately sold mount, cable and adapter | Not stated; depends on iPad and mounting hardware | Not stated; depends on model | Not stated; depends on model |
| Existing hub required | Works with Apple Home and Matter accessories | Depends on the smart-home platform and accessories | Depends on Alexa-compatible equipment | Depends on Google Home-compatible equipment |
The key comparison is not simply screen size. It is whether you need a dedicated shared interface. An iPad may be the better value when flexibility matters; another smart display may be preferable when your home already uses Alexa or Google Home. HomeView’s advantage is a tightly integrated Apple experience with FaceTime and household personalization, not a lower entry price.
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What you need to install the wall-mounted model
- Choose a suitable wall location. Plan for Wi-Fi coverage, a comfortable viewing height and access to a safe power route.
- Buy a compatible mount. Apple does not include the mount with the wall-mounted unit.
- Buy the required USB-C cable and power adapter. These are also sold separately for the wall version.
- Arrange secure installation. Use appropriate hardware for the wall material and keep the cable and adapter within their electrical ratings. If routing power inside a wall, follow local electrical rules and use a qualified installer where required.
- Connect HomeView to Wi-Fi and power. The device operates over Wi-Fi and uses wired power.
- Set up Apple Home and personalization. Pair an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network, and keep it recently unlocked when personalized household information is needed.
Bottom line on the $299 price
HomeView is a capable first-generation Apple smart-home hub, but Brownlee’s criticism is persuasive for the majority of buyers who already have a control method. At $299, it must replace an existing device or solve a genuine shared-screen problem to be good value. Consider it when you specifically want an always-visible Apple Home display, FaceTime camera and personalized household interface. Otherwise, keep using the iPad, phone or smart display you already own and wait for a future generation or a lower total cost.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
