Apple HomePod mini 2: What is known so far
Apple launched the HomePod mini almost five years ago, and with a successor now on the horizon, here are six things to expect from a HomePod mini 2.
Smart Home Focus
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says that, like the next-generation Apple TV, the new HomePod mini 2 “is built with Apple’s new smart home ecosystem in mind.”
It is unclear whether the HomePod mini 2 will include improvements to Siri. Unlike Apple’s long-rumored Smart Home Hub, the new HomePod mini 2 is not expected to receive Apple Intelligence support.
New Chip
The HomePod mini 2 will most likely feature a more recent chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5 from 2019.
Apple is likely to opt for the S9 chip, which represents a significant leap forward in performance, or one of its derivatives, such as the S10, a more compact Version of the S9. The not-yet-released S11 chip for the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also an option.
The S5 chip in the HomePod mini is based on Apple’s A12 Bionic architecture, but runs at lower clock speeds and is designed for continuous operation with low power consumption. This makes it well-suited for tasks like Siri processing and real-time audio tuning. In contrast, the chips in the S9 and S10 are based on the A13 chip and offer higher CPU and GPU performance, a more advanced Neural Engine, and higher efficiency per watt.
Apple Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip
According to Gurman, the HomePod mini 2 will be equipped with an Apple-developed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip.
The chip will apparently support Wi-Fi 6E, which is much faster and has lower latency compared to the Wi-Fi 4 connectivity of the current HomePod mini. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band, enabling faster Wi-Fi speeds and less signal interference with a compatible router.
New color options
New color options are also very likely, but concrete information is not yet known.
The current HomePod mini is available in blue, yellow, midnight blue, orange, and white.
Second-generation ultra-wideband chip
Apple could integrate its second-generation ultra-wideband chip into the HomePod mini 2 to enable a more reliable Handoff experience with lower latency. The chip was introduced in the iPhone 15 in 2023.
If installed, the chip should enable significantly more precise spatial awareness than the current model and be able to detect the exact position and orientation of nearby devices to within a few centimeters. It could also enable novel features, such as automatically adjusting two stereo HomePod minis when one is moved.
Enhanced Sound Quality
The current HomePod mini uses a single full-range speaker powered by a neodymium magnet and coupled with two passive radiators. The driver is positioned to direct sound downward into an acoustic waveguide that directs the sound 360 degrees.
The wave conductor and the special suspension system reduce distortions, while an array of three microphones pays attention to “Siri” commands and a fourth, inwards Deared microphone helps to suppress the sound from the loudspeaker, so that the voice recording remains clear even at high volume.
Apple could improve the audio hardware of the speaker by adding a second active driver for stereo separation, upgrading the broadband driver on a design with a larger hub for better depths and more clarity and using larger or additional passive spotlights. Apple could also refine the wave conductor to improve the sound quality, or use higher quality materials to increase the accuracy.
Release date of the HomePod mini 2
In January, Gurman reported that Apple “towards the end of the year” wanted to release a new HomePod mini 2. If this time frame is right, the second generation could appear at some point between September and December 2025.
