Apple yesterday announced the HomePod mini 2, the compact smart speaker’s first major hardware update in six years. The new model keeps the original spherical design while adding an S10 chip, faster wireless connectivity, Sound Glow lighting, new Mac and home‑theater capabilities, and support for Siri AI in a future software update. The HomePod mini 2 costs $149 in the United States, $20 more than the original’s last Apple price of $129; the original launched at $99 in 2020 and Apple raised its price in June 2026.
HomePod mini 2 — Key differences
Both generations share many core hardware and software features: a full‑range driver, two passive radiators and an acoustic waveguide for 360‑degree sound; temperature and humidity sensors; Thread networking; Ultra Wideband proximity features; AirPlay multiroom audio; stereo pairing; Intercom; smart home control; Sound Recognition; identical dimensions (3.3 inches tall and 3.9 inches wide); and a 20W power adapter.
The main differences are:
– Audio hardware and processing: both use the same basic driver arrangement, but the original relies on an S5 chip and computational audio, while the HomePod mini 2 uses an S10 chip and offers enhanced computational audio. Apple has not quantified acoustic gains from the S10.
– System on chip: the original HomePod mini uses the S5 chip (from 2019’s Apple Watch Series 5, made with TSMC’s N7 7nm process and based on the A12 Bionic), whereas the HomePod mini 2 uses the S10 chip (from 2024’s Apple Watch Series 10, made with TSMC’s N4 4nm process and based on the A16 Bionic).
– Microphones: the original features a four‑microphone design; the HomePod mini 2 has a three‑microphone design.
– Wireless: the original supports Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 5.0; the HomePod mini 2 adds Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 6.
– Mac and home‑theater features: the original plays Mac audio via AirPlay. The HomePod mini 2 can serve as the default speaker for Macs with Wi‑Fi 6E or later, individually or in a stereo pair, and it supports a four‑speaker surround sound configuration with the fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K, including automatic calibration of timing and levels. The surround option requires the fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K (which launches November 13) and matching front and rear speaker pairs running the latest software; you can use four HomePod mini 2 speakers or combine a pair of mini 2 speakers with a pair of full‑sized second‑generation HomePods. Original HomePod minis are excluded from that configuration.
– Lighting and finishes: the original has a backlit touch surface with status and Siri lighting; the HomePod mini 2 adds Sound Glow animations that respond to music, album artwork and soundscapes. Color options differ: the original shipped in white, midnight, blue, yellow and orange (and was previously available in space gray); the HomePod mini 2 is offered in white, midnight, blue, pink and green.
– Packaging and weight: the original used 89% fiber‑based packaging and weighed 0.76 pound (345 grams); the HomePod mini 2 uses 100% fiber‑based packaging and weighs 0.74 pound (335 grams).
– Introduction and pricing: the original was introduced in October 2020 and has been discontinued (initially priced at $99, later raised to $129); the HomePod mini 2 is introduced in October 2026 and is priced at $149.
Is it worth upgrading from HomePod mini?
For most existing HomePod mini owners there is no general‑purpose reason to replace a working original immediately. The original retains the primary features for voice commands, music playback, timers, Intercom and smart home automations. Sound Glow and the new finishes may appeal to enthusiasts but are minor reasons to replace speakers throughout a home. For buyers focused on sound quality, Apple’s specifications give limited grounds to judge the size of the improvement: the driver arrangement is unchanged and Apple has not provided quantified acoustic gains from the S10’s enhanced processing.
The clearest upgrade cases are specific use scenarios: if your Mac supports Wi‑Fi 6E or later and you want a HomePod as your default Mac speaker for games, calls and everyday audio, the HomePod mini 2 offers a capability the original’s AirPlay connection does not. The four‑speaker surround sound option with the fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K is another notable reason to choose the newer model, subject to the hardware and software requirements noted above.
Siri AI promises more natural conversations, broader general knowledge, improved music discovery and the ability to act on personal context across supported apps, but it will not be available at launch and Apple has not announced a release date. Apple specifies that the owner of the home in the Home app must have an Apple Intelligence‑enabled iPhone or iPad with Siri AI enabled; personal‑context requests require the individual user’s compatible paired device, while other household members can use conversational and general‑knowledge features once Siri AI is enabled. Initial availability is planned in English in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Which should you buy?
For most new buyers, the HomePod mini 2 should be the default choice when the price difference is small: for an extra $20 (if the original remains at $129) you get the S10 chip, faster connectivity, Sound Glow, Mac and surround‑sound features, and eligibility for the forthcoming Siri AI update. A substantially discounted original HomePod mini remains worth considering for straightforward music playback or adding smart‑home control in another room, especially if you only need the shared features and have little interest in the new capabilities. Buying another original also makes sense if you already own one and want to create a stereo pair: Apple requires matching models for stereo pairing, so an original HomePod mini and a HomePod mini 2 cannot form a stereo pair.
HomePod mini 2 pre‑orders are now open, with availability beginning October 30.
