Apple released the HomePod mini in October 2020. This small smart speaker has just crossed 2,000 days on the market without a single hardware update. Most tech gadgets get replaced much faster. The device launched at $99 as a cheaper alternative to the original HomePod. It promised good sound and basic smart home controls in a tiny package.
Aside from a few fresh colors introduced in 2021, the company has kept its speaker the same. It remains one of its oldest active products.
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The 2020 HomePod mini is still relevant, but it’s clearly aging
The HomePod mini still runs on the older S5 chip. This is the same processor Apple used in its Series 5 watch. The speaker handles audio and connects to smart home gear using Thread technology. It also packs older Bluetooth 5.0 and standard Wi-Fi parts. These pieces do the job for simple music listening.
However, users often notice the speaker can be slow when processing voice commands. Tech fans usually expect steady upgrades. Apple chose to leave its mini speaker alone while updating everything else in its lineup.
When is the HomePod mini 2 coming?
A second version is reportedly complete and ready to launch. Apple finished the new hardware late last year. The company just decided to put the release on hold for software reasons. It wants to pair the new speaker with a smarter version of Siri. This revamped assistant will arrive with the iOS 27 update.
Apple plans to start beta testing that software in June. The final release should hit the public in September. You can expect the new HomePod mini to drop around that time. The next model will feature a faster processor.
This will help the speaker respond more quickly and process audio better. A modern Wi-Fi chip is also likely. For now, the original model just keeps ticking along.
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