HomePod New HomePod from Apple - still on 11.2.5 - week 48 / 2017

[OBirder]

I used the Apple 4 day sales deal and ordered on Friday a full size HomePod with the $100 Apple Gift Card direct from Apple (basically making the price effectively $199).

To my surprise after I picked it up from the local Apple Store, it was still on OS 11.2.5 and with the Serial Number Lookup it was manufactured in week 48 of 2017 (basically 3 years ago).

Did I really get a brand new one? Is Apple still sitting on 2017 inventory? Feels strange to buy a brand new 3 year old product.

Anyone with similar experience or are you getting newer HomePods?

 

[Itinj24]

Apple won’t sell used devices as new. If it were some third party retailer, other than big names like Best Buy, then I would question it. It’s the same exact HomePod that would be manufactured and sold this year with the same warranty. Nothing changed and there’s no battery to diminish. Update the software to the latest and enjoy it as if it was manufactured today. It’s no secret that the original HomePods weren’t big sellers so yes, probably still have inventory from a few years ago.

 

[dotme]

Is Apple still sitting on 2017 inventory?

Yes, I believe they are. Best Buy too. I suspect there was an initial production run of HomePods and they didn't sell nearly as well as anticipated. I don't think the OG HomePods have seen any new production runs in years now.

 

[Calumma]

I used the Apple 4 day sales deal and ordered on Friday a full size HomePod with the $100 Apple Gift Card direct from Apple (basically making the price effectively $199).

To my surprise after I picked it up from the local Apple Store, it was still on OS 11.2.5 and with the Serial Number Lookup it was manufactured in week 48 of 2017 (basically 3 years ago).

Did I really get a brand new one? Is Apple still sitting on 2017 inventory? Feels strange to buy a brand new 3 year old product.

Anyone with similar experience or are you getting newer HomePods?

I ordered a second HomePod to get the same deal and mine also arrived with 11.2.5. I’m guessing Apple has a lot of old stock!

 

[Klososky]

I had the exact same thing happen at my local Apple Store. I even noticed the box mine came in was very faded.

 

[malcky77]

I personally would not be worried about it.....as long as it is a brand new unit (as in UNUSED).

Even if it was made/built a few months ago you would still need to update it 14.2......so I don't see it as a problem because there has not been any hardware changes to the HomePod since day 1.