Apple today unveiled an updated HomePod mini, powered by an S10 chip, compatible with Siri AI, offering new colors, and improved audio experiences. The new HomePod mini supports advanced computational audio, allowing it to optimize dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance in real-time.
Siri AI is coming in a future software update, and when the HomePod mini is paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, it will be able to recognize up to six users by voice and connect to their device for personalized information like Messages.
Apple says the new HomePod mini’s new Sound Glow feature transforms the top of the smart speaker “into a visual canvas that glows and pulses in sync with the music, reacting in real time to bass and treble.” A song’s album artwork from Now Playing generates a unique color-matched light experience for every song. Users can pick a soundscape like rain to trigger bespoke animations for a soothing atmosphere.
Four HomePod minis can be paired together to create a four-speaker surround sound setup with the new Apple TV 4K, also announced today. Together, the four speakers and the new Apple TV 4K intelligently recognize each speaker’s position in the room, so audio timing and levels are automatically calibrated to the space.
The HomePod mini also works as a speaker for the Mac.
The new HomePod mini can continue to serve as a home hub and control smart home devices, just like the previous model. Its Sound Recognition feature can listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, sending an alert if one is detected.
The new HomePod mini also works seamlessly with smart home accessories, including the new Apple Home Collection video doorbells and cameras, using Face Recognition to announce who is at the door.
Pricing and Availability
- Customers in the U.S. and more than 23 other countries and regions can pre-order HomePod mini 2 starting today from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight, with availability in stores beginning Friday, October 30.
- HomePod mini 2 is available for $149 (U.S.).
- Siri AI will be available in English on HomePod mini 2 via a future software update in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK.
- HomePod mini 2 is compatible with HomePod software 27.2.
