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What's Happening With the HomePod Mini 2? All the Current Rumors

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The $99 HomePod mini is now over 2,000 days old, which means it has been five and a half years since it received a meaningful update. Apple is working on a new model, but launch rumors have come and gone due to Siri issues.


Apple introduced the HomePod mini in October 2020, and refreshed the color options in 2021, but it is way overdue for a more substantial refresh. Here's what we know about what's coming.
Design

It doesn't sound like Apple is going to update the HomePod mini's design. There are no rumors of a revamped look or changes to the shape, so the HomePod mini 2 will look a lot like the original model.

We are expecting new color options for the HomePod mini, and Apple has tested a red color, so that could be one of the shades we get.

Chip Update

The current HomePod mini uses the S5 Apple Watch chip, which is old at this point. The next model is going to use the S9 chip or later, so it will have more power for computational audio and other audio features that require a processor.

The S9, S10, and S11 are all basically identical, so performance will be about the same regardless of which one Apple chooses. Apple Watch chips are much lower power than iPhone, iPad, and Mac chips, but the S5 to S9 or later is still a huge jump.

New Features

Apple hasn't released the new HomePod mini because it's supposedly waiting on the new version of Siri. Siri was supposed to get an Apple Intelligence update this spring, but it now looks like we'll be waiting until the September iOS 27 launch.

The HomePod mini will run the updated version of Siri, so it should be a much more capable device than the current model for doing everything from suggesting music to controlling smart home products.

N1

The HomePod mini 2 could get Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, but Apple hasn't included it in some lower-cost products, so it's not entirely clear if it will be included. Either way, the HomePod mini should get at least Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

The N1 has Thread support too, but the HomePod mini already includes Thread.

UWB 2

A newer Ultra Wideband chip could be included, improving UWB features like Handoff for transferring music from an iPhone to a HomePod and vice versa.

Big HomePod

Apple could also be planning an update to the full-sized HomePod, which would presumably get the same feature set as the HomePod mini. The HomePod was last updated in January 2023, which is when Apple reintroduced the larger-size option.

Launch Date

We may not see a new HomePod mini until September 2026 when the updated version of Siri debuts in iOS 27. The Apple Intelligence version of Siri is the backbone for several new home-focused Apple devices like a smart home hub and a new Apple TV that's in the works.

Article Link: What's Happening With the HomePod Mini 2? All the Current Rumors
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/07/homepod-mini-2-rumor-recap/
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Please allow us to pair a physical siri remote / bluetooth physical remote with homepod mini. When we are half asleep in bed, we like to be able to have the track and volume control d-pad physically right under our finger so we can press next/previous track or volume up or down while half asleep instead of having to yell out commands or look at a bright screen and wake ourselves up

Also, please market the homepod for users of home exercise equipment. It's more fun to listen to a small room filled with music than to shove the audio directly into our eardrum. This is just one benefit to enjoying music/exercise/cardio at home, but part of the issue is that some homeowners are "against" home exercise equipment, and we need apple to help market the idea so that even those of us who live with the homeowners who are currently against having dedicated exercise rooms can "see the light" by having apple, with its billion dollar marketing budget, help to plant the seeds better than we can.


Edit update -

Home exercise equipment like treadmills, walking pads, peleton etc, maybe is kind of a niche. But apple seems to strive toward the idea of "helping people" while also marketing their products as fitness and health accessories (apple watch, apple fitness, etc...). So why not market all that mixed in with home design. They're already kind of doing that with apple vision and they have done it a bit with homepod before with the music+dancing commercials. But in addition to actual "dancing", walking or exercising to the beat of the music is something that's enjoyable and healthy. I believe apple should recognize this niche and market it more widely.
 
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applefan8254 said:
Also, please market the homepod for users of home exercise equipment. It's more fun to listen to a small room filled with music than to shove the audio directly into our eardrum. This is just one benefit to enjoying music/exercise/cardio at home, but part of the issue is that some homeowners are "against" home exercise equipment, and we need apple to help market the idea so that even those of us who live with the homeowners who are currently against having dedicated exercise rooms can "see the light" by having apple, with its billion dollar marketing budget, help to plant the seeds better than we can.
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I'd rather have audio shoved in my eardrum and cancel out the noise of the exercise machines.
 
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applefan8254 said:
Please allow us to pair a physical button Siri / Bluetooth remote. When we are half asleep in bed, we like to be able to have the track and volume control d-pad physically right under our finger so we can press next/previous track or volume up or down while half asleep instead of having to yell out commands or look at a bright screen and wake ourselves up

Also, please market the homepod for users of home exercise equipment. It's more fun to listen to a small room filled with music than to shove the audio directly into our eardrum. This is just one benefit to enjoying music/exercise/cardio at home, but part of the issue is that some homeowners are "against" home exercise equipment, and we need apple to help market the idea so that even those of us who live with the homeowners who are currently against having dedicated exercise rooms can "see the light" by having apple, with its billion dollar marketing budget, help to plant the seeds better than we can.
Click to expand...
Are you ok?
 
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applefan8254 said:
Please allow us to pair a physical button Siri / Bluetooth remote. When we are half asleep in bed, we like to be able to have the track and volume control d-pad physically right under our finger so we can press next/previous track or volume up or down while half asleep instead of having to yell out commands or look at a bright screen and wake ourselves up

Also, please market the homepod for users of home exercise equipment. It's more fun to listen to a small room filled with music than to shove the audio directly into our eardrum. This is just one benefit to enjoying music/exercise/cardio at home, but part of the issue is that some homeowners are "against" home exercise equipment, and we need apple to help market the idea so that even those of us who live with the homeowners who are currently against having dedicated exercise rooms can "see the light" by having apple, with its billion dollar marketing budget, help to plant the seeds better than we can.


Edit update -

Home exercise equipment like treadmills, walking pads, peleton etc, maybe is kind of a niche. But apple seems to strive toward the idea of "helping people" while also marketing their products as fitness and health accessories (apple watch, apple fitness, etc...). So why not market all that mixed in with home design. They're already kind of doing that with apple vision and they have done it a bit with homepod before with the music+dancing commercials. But in addition to actual "dancing", walking or exercising to the beat of the music is something that's enjoyable and healthy. I believe apple should recognize this niche and market it more widely.
Click to expand...
Of course if they just target people that like music then they cover all bases at once. That said, if you really want to have good music in your exercise room I might suggest something more like a Beats Pill, maybe a full on soundbar or such, but that's just me.
 
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JohnC1959 said:
Of course if they just target people that like music then they cover all bases at once. That said, if you really want to have good music in your exercise room I might suggest something more like a Beats Pill, maybe a full on soundbar or such, but that's just me.
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If you can afford to have a dedicated exercise room filled with your own suite of gym equipment, why skimp on small speakers like HomePod minis? That makes no sense whatsoever.

Put in proper speakers and a good DAC hooked up to a Mac mini if you want AirPlay.
 
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Siri was supposed to be updated back in 2024 then Spring 2025 and now they are going to miss Spring 2026.... it's pathetic. Weren't there rumors saying the HomePod mini 2 and whatever new home device is coming were ready to ship over a year ago? Apple is too big to do anything nowadays.
 
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Happy_John said:
If you can afford to have a dedicated exercise room filled with your own suite of gym equipment, why skimp on small speakers like HomePod minis? That makes no sense whatsoever.

Put in proper speakers and a good DAC hooked up to a Mac mini if you want AirPlay.
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Most customers *cannot* afford a *dedicated* room for a suite of gym equipment, but *are* able to have a *multipurpose* room for *one* piece of equipment. I think these folks would be happy utilizing homepod mini, which still provides excellent sound for one room.
 
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I’d like a new big HomePod that gives back the way better microphone sensitivity of the first gen since the second gen is so bad I HAVE TO YELL.
 
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At onetime a need for Apple branded speakers. Today, AirPlay evolved, pick the speaker that meets one’s needs and music plays. Sonos one example with a complete suite of AirPlay compatible speakers. Where Apple leads, AirPods and is doing very well in both updates and quality products. The need once proposed, Apple making a TV. They did one better, make a leading streaming box, leave the TV to others. As far as using the speaker to respond to ones voice, watch, iPhone, iPad, are more convient and next to me at all times. Yelling at a speaker is so annoying. Tap the watch crown, speak command quietly, all done.
 
Current rumors...no one has a clue. I'm guessing they'll just discontinue the entire product. My guess is as good as any other. All I know is I want a new ATV and HP mini. And I've now been waiting for years due to endless rumors.
 
I bought a launch day original HomePod. What they were doing with “computational audio” (i dont know the correct term, but beamforming, active EQ, etc) back then was so impressive and the sound from those small speakers blew me away. I still remember hearing it for the first time.

The idea of a smaller version of that was so enticing that I bought the mini also on launch day, without any hesitation or need to listen in a store.

I couldn’t believe how bad the music sounded. I tried many different songs and locations in my room, and then gave up and put in the hallway as the speaker to ask about the weather and switch my lights on.

To me, this speaker was the beginning of a shift in Apple’s focus.
 
lk400 said:
I bought a launch day original HomePod. What they were doing with “computational audio” (i dont know the correct term, but beamforming, active EQ, etc) back then was so impressive and the sound from those small speakers blew me away. I still remember hearing it for the first time.

The idea of a smaller version of that was so enticing that I bought the mini also on launch day, without any hesitation or need to listen in a store.

I couldn’t believe how bad the music sounded. I tried many different songs and locations in my room, and then gave up and put in the hallway as the speaker to ask about the weather and switch my lights on.

To me, this speaker was the beginning of a shift in Apple’s focus.
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I don't think the mini having poor sound represents a shift. The mini wasn't intended to have the sound of the full size HomePod. Paying significantly more gets you better sound -- always has. The mini is intended more as a low cost device that you can afford to put into multiple rooms.
 
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If the profits aren't high-margin
They're raisin' up what they're chargin'
...or dumpin' them (by and large) then
Priority solely on share price enlargin'
 
My pair of HomePod minis bought in 2020 are working fine. I don’t use Siri much though, it’s easier to just use my phone or watch to do so.
 
All I can say is that if the only real improvement is new Siri, which seems likely, they better offer about a 60%+ trade-in value towards a new one.

The current one isn't totally useless. But its headline feature is Siri.

Which is about as headline as that old "Mission Accomplished" banner.
 
Wait, is the big HomePod gonna be like the current one or will it be the HomePad thing? If I could have a brainier and slightly better sounding HomePod I'd be happy. I'm not in the market for a home hub or whatever it's meant to be.
 
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