Apple has officially plugged the biggest gap in their ecosystem with the unveiling of the HomeView, a big moment for anyone hunting for the best smart display in NZ. The home hub is currently available for pre-order and lands in stores on Friday 13 November. But with the Apple HomeView going head-to-head with established smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, which one deserves a spot on your kitchen counter?
We’ve compared all three on price, features, smart home compatibility and real-world costs so you can decide which is the best for you before committing.
Quick Comparison
Prices checked on 19 October 2026 and are subject to change. The Echo Show price is in Australian dollars and the NZ equivalent is dependent on the exchange rate.
What is the Apple HomeView?
According to Apple’s official announcement, the HomeView is designed to be the heart of the house but still feels personal to each member of the family. Let’s take a look at what’s inside:
- A 7-inch Liquid Retina display whose brightness can be adjusted from 500 nits for sunny rooms to 0.3 nits for the bedside.
- Facial recognition for the whole family (up to 6 people), so everyone can see their own messages, calendar and reminders.
- Siri AI (powered by Apple Intelligence) offers more conversational answers and personal context from a paired iPhone or iPad.
- A 12-megapixel Centre Stage camera for FaceTime calls that can fit everyone in the frame.
- A smart home dashboard that works with the Home app.
- Enjoy big sound with 2 full-range drivers in the display plus a down-firing woofer in the base for Spatial Audio.
- Four colours (silver, starlight, rose pink and space grey) and a separate wall-mounted model that comes in space grey and silver.
The catch? The setup and multi-user support for the HomeView require a compatible iPhone or iPad, meaning it's built particularly for Apple households.
Amazon Echo Show 11
The Amazon Echo Show is the pioneer of the smart display category, and the 11th model has the largest screen of the lineup. It runs Alexa, which offers a huge library of compatible smart home devices and works with both iPhone and Android phones through the Alexa app.
The downside is that Amazon doesn’t have a dedicated online store for New Zealand, so Kiwi shoppers have to order through the Australian site (which offers NZ shipping). The Echo Show 11 lists for about AU$499 there, so you’ll need to factor in shipping fees and the exchange rate before you add it to your cart.
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
If you’re looking to get the most value for your money, the Nest Hub is hard to beat. At NZ$169 on the NZ Google Store, it costs NZ$430 less than the Apple HomeView while still offering a compact 7-inch screen, slips right into your Google Home setup and it handles music, timers & photo frame duties.
However, the trade-off is that it has no camera, so no video calls. For some, that may be a dealbreaker. For others, it's a privacy bonus.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Price
The Apple HomeView retails for NZ$599, the Amazon Echo Show for AU$499 and the Google Nest Hub for NZ$169. But if you want the wall-mounted HomeView, the mounts are sold separately. So you’ll need to pay an extra NZ$119.95 for the Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector or NZ$159.95 for the Power Mount AC Wired, which puts the cheapest wall-mounted setup at NZ$718.95. A PoE mount is also set to release in early 2027 at an additional NZ$249.95.
Smart Home Compatibility
The best smart display is typically the one that matches your home’s existing ecosystem. The HomeView works with the Home app and Matter accessories, but can also detect the sound of smoke & carbon monoxide alarms and send an alert to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. With a supported iCloud+ subscription, it can also work with compatible cameras to recognise people, pets, packages and vehicles. The Echo Show and Nest Hub work best with Alexa and Google Home devices respectively, but can also support Matter. So be sure to check what you already own before making your decision.
Voice Assistant
The HomeView’s Siri AI (a brand-new version of Siri) has broad world knowledge and is capable of back-and-forth conversation. It’s worth knowing, though, that Siri AI is currently only in its beta version and Apple says usage limits may apply. Alexa and Google’s assistant are more established and have years of third-party integrations behind them.
Sound & Display
The headline feature of the Apple HomeView is its acoustic system, which comes with a woofer, passive radiators and computational audio that adjusts to the angle of the screen. If you’re in the market for a bigger screen, the Echo Show 11 offers the most screen space. Looking for something more compact? The Nest Hub is your best bet and works well as a bedside or kitchen display.
Privacy
Apple states that the HomeView processes camera and microphone data in a secure compartment of its A18 chip that can’t be accessed by the operating system or Apple. They also mentioned that personal content only appears when a recognised user’s paired iPhone or iPad is nearby and recently unlocked. The Nest Hub avoids the question altogether by not having a camera. If privacy is a dealbreaker for you, make sure to read each company’s privacy policy before checking out.
Is the Apple HomeView worth it?
Reasons it could be:
- Strong privacy design and personalised experiences for up to six people.
- Excellent for FaceTime, Apple Music and Handoff from your iPhone.
- Multiroom audio with HomePod and other AirPlay speakers.
- Deep integration with the Home app.
Reasons to think twice:
- It’s the most expensive of the three smart displays we compared.
- You need a compatible iPhone or iPad to set it up.
- Siri AI is still in beta and English-only to start.
- Kiwis will have to wait for the Home Collection as it won’t be available at launch.
So, buy it if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem and want a shared home hub.
Skip it if you use a different operating system, want a cheaper option or would rather wait for real-world reviews to start coming in.
Which is the best smart display for you?
- Best for Apple households: Apple HomeView
- Best for a big screen and Alexa: Amazon Echo Show 11
- Best budget smart display: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
The best smart display is the one that fits both your budget and existing smart home gear, which means there’s no single winner for everyone.
How to save on a smart display in NZ
Looking for a way to knock a few bucks off your smart display? Here’s a little advice from Jessica Pinker (one of our savings experts):
- Take into account the extras - For the HomeView, that could mean an iCloud+ plan for camera features, an Apple Music subscription or a wall mount. For the Echo Show, it’s the exchange rate and shipping.
- Don’t pay for a screen you won’t use - If voice control is your go-to, then skip the smart display for a cheaper smart speaker.
- Take advantage of promo codes - If you’re looking for a coupon or two, feel free to browse our Tech category for the latest offers on smartphones, laptops, TVs and smart home devices.
The Verdict
The Apple HomeView is an exciting first try at a smart display for the tech giant and a strong pick for Apple households that want privacy, FaceTime and a polished smart home dashboard. If you want the best smart display in NZ but on a budget, the Nest Hub is hard to beat at NZ$169 and the Echo Show 11 is the go-to for a big screen and Alexa.
