The HomePod mini 2 is getting a lot of attention as people wait for the upcoming refresh. Back in June, Apple raised the price of the original model from $99 to $129. It blamed this jump on higher memory and storage costs. This sudden change caught many shoppers by surprise. Now, with a new generation about to arrive, buyers want to know if it will cost even more money for the updated smart speaker.
The next generation speaker should stick to the current price
Industry watchers think the HomePod mini 2 will keep the current $129 price tag. When the company increased the cost of the first version over the summer, it likely did so to set the stage for this new release. By changing the base cost early, it avoids the backlash of raising the price on launch day.
The higher $129 cost already covers the new internal parts. You can expect the fresh hardware to simply take the place of the older model on store shelves. Some people hope the original version might drop back down to $99 to serve as a cheaper option. However, the company almost never sells two different generations of this specific speaker at the same time.
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The new hardware will arrive in stores later this month
The wait for the next model is just about over. The updated smart speaker is hitting shelves later this month, with reports pointing to an October 30 release date. This timing makes sense and fits right in with the normal fall product cycle.
If you want to upgrade your current setup, you should check out the final hardware leaks to see what new features are coming. The new version will likely offer better Siri functions and some fresh color choices.
The official details will arrive online today
You will not have to rely on rumors for much longer. The company is hosting an in-person media gathering instead of a live video broadcast for this specific launch. You can easily follow the event coverage to catch the announcements as they go live on the newsroom site.
Once the presentation ends, the $129 price should become official. The smartest move right now is to hold off on buying any smart home audio gear until the store updates. The upgraded model will give you much better value for that $129 than buying a three year old device today.
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