Apple’s original HomePod mini has been around since late 2020 and hasn’t had a real hardware refresh apart from new colors. Rumors have been circling for years that Apple would update it, and that next model is commonly referred to as the HomePod mini 2. It’s expected to be an evolution of the current smart speaker, keeping the same role, but better performance, smarter connectivity, and more modern internals.
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Release Date
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The HomePod mini 2 isn’t officially tied to the March 4 “Special Apple Experience” event Apple announced for New York, London, and Shanghai. Apple hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, and current expectations from supply and development sources point to an early 2026 launch, likely in spring.
What’s Likely to Change
New Chip and Better Wireless
A key rumor is that the mini 2 will get a new internal chip, possibly one of Apple’s own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips found in Apple TV, replacing Broadcom hardware. That should improve connectivity and responsiveness. There’s talk of Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, faster speeds, and less latency.
That same chip could support better Handoff and other network-based features, making the speaker behave more intelligently in a smart home setup.
Smarter Assistant
People inside the scene expect Apple to push a much smarter Siri with the next generation of HomePod hardware. That’s partly why this refresh has been delayed; Apple is rewriting core voice and AI technology. So rather than just being louder or having more bass, software and intelligence enhancements could be the real story.
Audio and New Colors
Rumors generally assume improved sound quality without changing the overall size or shape of the speaker. Better drivers, improved acoustics, and new color options are all speculative but plausible. After years with the same five finishes (Space Gray, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue), it’d make sense to shake that lineup up.
Price Expectations
Based on multiple supply-side rumors and how Apple has priced the HomePod mini historically, the base price is likely to remain around $99 in the U.S. The idea is simple: keep the entry-level smart speaker affordable compared to bigger devices or Display-equipped hubs.
That said, some reports suggest Apple might raise price slightly, perhaps closer to $119 or $129, if the hardware upgrades are significant. None of that is confirmed, though.
Apple’s next entry-level tablet is also on the way, here’s everything we know about the 12th-generation iPad.
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