Apple is preparing to introduce its first new HomePod mini in six years, bringing a faster processor, improved wireless connectivity, and support for its AI-powered Siri assistant.
Six years after the original model arrived in October 2020, Apple is expected to unveil its successor at the October 13 “Welcome Home” event in New York.
A smarter Siri with one important limitation
The current HomePod mini runs on Apple’s aging S5 chip, originally introduced with the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019. Its successor is expected to feature a much faster processor that can support Apple’s newer Siri AI features.
However, those capabilities will reportedly require a compatible iPhone nearby, meaning the speaker may still depend on another device for more advanced requests.
The HomePod mini 2 is also expected to include Apple’s N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. The latter could improve how the speaker detects nearby iPhones and handles music handoffs.
Improved audio quality and new colors, including pink and green, are also rumored. The familiar spherical design is expected to remain unchanged.
The HomePod mini already costs $30 more
Apple raised the original HomePod mini’s US price from $99 to $129 in June, making the six-year-old speaker considerably more expensive ahead of its replacement.
The company hasn’t confirmed whether the new model will retain that price. Tuesday’s announcement is also expected to include a new Apple TV 4K and a smart home hub with a roughly 7-inch touchscreen for controlling accessories and making video calls.
Together, the three products could expand Siri’s role throughout the home, although the HomePod mini’s reported dependence on a nearby iPhone leaves an important question about how independently Apple’s smallest speaker will operate.
