Apple's HomePod Mini 2: A Costly Iteration
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The second-generation smart speaker arrives with a higher price tag and a faster chip, but lacks audio hardware updates.
Apple has released the HomePod Mini 2, priced at $149—a $50 increase over the original model's $99 launch price. As The Verge first reported, the device arrives without any upgrades to the sound system, maintaining a design that is virtually identical to the first-generation speaker, with the exception of an embossed logo on the base.
The primary technical improvements center on speed and connectivity. The Verge reports that Apple replaced the S5 processor with the S10 chip and upgraded from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 6E. These changes result in a more responsive Siri that frequently executes commands in under three seconds, compared to the 10-second delays sometimes experienced with the previous model. Additionally, the speaker now features "Sound Glow," which illuminates the top of the device to match Apple Music and Apple Podcasts album art.
While the hardware is faster, the most significant promised feature—Siri AI—is not available at launch. The Verge notes that Apple has stated this functionality will arrive later via a software update. Beyond the chip bump and new color options, including a deep green, the device remains a marginal update to a product category where the core utility—audio playback and smart home control—remains largely unchanged from the original version.