Several retailers are listing the HomePod mini as out of stock or on backorder, with retailer B&H going so far as to list all HomePod mini models as discontinued and is no longer offering them for sale, reports MacRumors.
Several retailers list the HomePod mini as backordered or out of stock, including Adorama and Staples. Meanwhile, select colors are out of stock at Target and Walmart doesn’t have any stock available other than from resellers. The midnight color option is unavailable for shipping from Best Buy, although other colors are in stock.
Apple still has all colors of the speaker available, offering options for both immediate shipping and pick up at the store.
Several reports have indicated that Apple is working on a new version of the HomePod mini, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently said a new HomePod mini could debut as soon as this month.
Gurman said that Apple retail stores have told employees an overnight refresh is on the way for the evening of November 11, where displays will be refreshed and new products displayed for the following day.
It’s possible that the less than plentiful stock at third-party retailers is an indication that a new version of the HomePod mini is on its way before the end of the year. Apple could possibly be timing the release to coincide with the holiday shopping rush.
The next-generation HomePod mini is expected to be powered by an S9 chip or newer to provide support for the upcoming version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. it is also expected to boast an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. New color options could also be made available.