HomePod Mini With Updated Chip Coming Soon

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on a refreshed version of the HomePod mini, and it will have an updated processor that's based on the S-series chips inside the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and the upcoming Apple Watch Series 11.

A reference to a HomePod mini equipped with a chip that uses T8310 microarchitecture was discovered in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The device has a B525 codename, which likely corresponds to the next-generation HomePod mini, since the current model's codename is B520.

The existing S9 and S10 chips in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 10 have T8310 cores, and we're expecting the S11 in the Apple Watch Series 11 to use the same technology.

The current version of the HomePod mini has an S5 chip that was originally developed for the Apple Watch. Since the reference in the code is to the T8310 processor and the S9, S10, and S11 all use it, we don't know if Apple will call the chip the S9, S10, or S11.

Since the HomePod mini is expected to launch in late 2025, it would make sense for Apple to equip it with the S11 chip that will also be in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. The chip that's expected for the HomePod mini 2 will be a good deal faster than the S5. It features a 64-bit dual-core processor that's based on the A16, and a 4-core Neural Engine.

We don't know much about the HomePod mini 2 aside from the fact that it's going to get an updated chip, but rumors have suggested that it will also feature a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip with Wi-Fi 6E support. New color options are also a possibility.

Apple could introduce the HomePod mini 2 any time from September to December.

Article Link: HomePod Mini With Updated Chip Coming Soon

 

[mac-hummer]

Feature	Current HomePod mini (B520)	Expected HomePod mini 2 (B525)
Chip	S5 (based on Apple Watch Series 5)	Likely S11 (based on A16, T8310 microarchitecture)
CPU	64-bit dual-core, older generation	64-bit dual-core, newer generation, much faster
Neural Engine	None	4-core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)	Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	New Apple-designed Bluetooth/Wi-Fi combo chip
Audio Processing	Good computational audio	Faster processing, improved AI-driven enhancements
Color Options	White, Space Gray, Blue, Yellow, Orange	Existing + possible new colors
Launch Date	November 2020	Expected Sep–Dec 2025

 

[TVreporter]

Knowing Apple they’ll make them incompatible with version 1.

I’ve got several and they are fine. If the audio quality is improved I’ll consider upgrading.

 

[Radeon85]

I’m just looking forward to onboard processing of basic Siri commands for much faster response times instead of sending every damn request over the Internet, this was the best feature added to the Ultra 2, and it made a massive difference to response times. A new, updated mini is very long overdue.

 

[Gengar]

If they don’t improve Siri, it won’t be worth the upgrade.

 

[supertomtom]

I’m hoping it’ll be able to have Siri access to ChatGPT extensions just like on the phone.

On the phone, by disabling the setting needing it to “confirm request”, allows it to work really seamlessly. Siri automatically pulls from ChatGPT without you having to ask it to trigger ChatGpt. Will be handy on HomePods.

 

[etichi]

If they don’t improve Siri, it won’t be worth the upgrade.

Exactly this. Besides, it’s a speaker.

 

[russell_314]

If they don’t improve Siri, it won’t be worth the upgrade.

Siri is dead. I don’t see Apple improving Siri at all.

Just like Apple bought Siri, they need to buy a voice assistant from some AI company and work it into the iPhone. Sure they could call it Siri, but I don’t think it’s in Apple‘s best interest to taint a new technology with the name of a known outdated and broken one.

 

[chineseguy38]

They better fix Siri first before releasing another HomePod. If not, HomePod is just a good speaker to play music.

 

[profets]

Can't believe the original mini is coming up on 5 years old already. And a 6 year old watch chip with wifi N. Man..

 

[pdaholic]

I have bought 4 minis and 2 developed buzzing sounds within a year. The HomePods and AirPods Pro 1 are my most regretted Apple purchases.

 

[McWetty]

My HPM’s have been pretty great aside from the woes that accompany Siri. If they can get reliable on device Siri to work (without that follow up on iPhone crap), I’ll upgrade 1 or 2 of mine.

 

[WilliApple]

Im not upgrading unless it has the confirmation of Apple Intelligence and the better Siri.

 

[applefan8254]

Can we get it with a USBC port in addition to the USBC cable

 

[mpainesyd]

An upgraded wifi chip would be very welcome. Online discussions frequently refer to wifi woes with Homepods, making them unreliable as a Home Hub.

 

[Biro]

I don’t know. My first-gen HomePod was so wonky because of software and Siri issues that I don’t know if I’d buy another one. I’ll wait for the in-depth reviews before drawing any conclusions

 

[Admiral Fart]

Maybe it’s just me, but I hate using voice assistants for music. It’s not just that Siri is useless, I don’t like the superior voice assistant platforms, either. It’s just easier to use a visual interface. I can search Apple Music on my iPad faster than I can say “Hey Siri, play Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne on Apple Music”. Even if Siri gets it right (which is a big if), what if I want one of the many live versions instead? Then I have to add the album name, but what if I don’t know the album name? An iPad and a dumb Bluetooth speaker is just the superior option.

 

[coolfactor]

I’m just looking forward to onboard processing of basic Siri commands for much faster response times instead of sending every damn request over the Internet, this was the best feature added to the Ultra 2, and it made a massive difference to response times. A new, updated mini is very long overdue.

You can be assured that this will be the case. The HomePod is the absolutely perfect device to fully house an LLM (Large Language Model) for in-house (pun intended) processing. No internet reequired.

 

[Biro]

Maybe it’s just me, but I hate using voice assistants for music. It’s not just that Siri is useless, I don’t like the superior voice assistant platforms, either. It’s just easier to use a visual interface. I can search Apple Music on my iPad faster than I can say “Hey Siri, play Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne on Apple Music”. Even if Siri gets it right (which is a big if), what if I want one of the many live versions instead? Then I have to add the album name, but what if I don’t know the album name? An iPad and a dumb Bluetooth speaker is just the superior option.

And the iPad doesn’t let out a loud, long fart-like sound and forget everything that I ever programmed into it. It used to happen repeatedly to me. We called it the “Fart of Death.” No jive.

 

[coolfactor]

Maybe it’s just me, but I hate using voice assistants for music. It’s not just that Siri is useless, I don’t like the superior voice assistant platforms, either. It’s just easier to use a visual interface. I can search Apple Music on my iPad faster than I can say “Hey Siri, play Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne on Apple Music”. Even if Siri gets it right (which is a big if), what if I want one of the many live versions instead? Then I have to add the album name, but what if I don’t know the album name? An iPad and a dumb Bluetooth speaker is just the superior option.

So, basically, you want a mind reader. 🤣

 

[segfaultdotorg]

If the other products are getting all these significantly upgraded chips, why can't the next generation iWatch share in the bounty?

 

[coolfactor]

Siri is dead. I don’t see Apple improving Siri at all.

Just like Apple bought Siri, they need to buy a voice assistant from some AI company and work it into the iPhone. Sure they could call it Siri, but I don’t think it’s in Apple‘s best interest to taint a new technology with the name of a known outdated and broken one.

Boo. Siri works great in so many ways. And the new one will be stellar.

 

[Admiral Fart]

So, basically, you want a mind reader. 🤣

That, or an iPad and a Bluetooth speaker.

 

[Gengar]

Siri is dead. I don’t see Apple improving Siri at all.

Just like Apple bought Siri, they need to buy a voice assistant from some AI company and work it into the iPhone. Sure they could call it Siri, but I don’t think it’s in Apple‘s best interest to taint a new technology with the name of a known outdated and broken one.

All I’m asking is that they fix it to work with song titles. I was trying to listen to “International Players Anthem” by UGK yesterday, and Siri played “Big Pimpin’” featuring UGK instead, all because the title on Apple Music is stylized as “Int’l Players Anthem.” It’s a problem with songs stylized in all caps too. It took forever for Siri to understand “CUFF IT” (by Beyoncé) was not “CUFF I.T.” Siri is just all around a terrible assistant.

 

[russell_314]

All I’m asking is that they fix it to work with song titles. I was trying to listen to “International Players Anthem” by UGK yesterday, and Siri played “Big Pimpin’” featuring UGK instead, all because the title on Apple Music is stylized as “Int’l Players Anthem.” It’s a problem with songs stylized in all caps too. It took forever for Siri to understand “CUFF IT” (by Beyoncé) was not “CUFF I.T.” Siri is just all around a terrible assistant.

At least you got a similar song. I’ve asked Siri to play a song and she decides to play a totally different genre of music.

I don’t think anything Apple says seriously when it comes to Siri I remember when they said it was going to be more capable offline. That means it doesn’t need to ask Apple servers the answer to everything.

Here’s an example of what happens when you disconnect Siri from the mothership. She goes from barely capable to I don’t know my name anymore.