Apple Announces HomePod mini With Spherical Design and S5 Chip for $99

by

Apple today announced the HomePod mini with a new spherical design and the S5 chip at its "Hi, Speed" event.

Apple homepod mini white 10132020

The device is the first addition to the HomePod product lineup since the launch of the original HomePod, and is much smaller at just 3.3-inches tall, as opposed to the original's 6.8-inches, and looks substantially different with a new spherical design. Following in the footsteps of the original device, the ‌HomePod mini‌ offers Siri, smart home capabilities, and high-quality audio.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ is powered by the S5 processor, which is also used in the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE, to deliver "Computational audio." It sports a full-range dynamic driver, two passive radiators for bass response, and an acoustic waveguide to offer 360-degree sound. ‌HomePod mini‌ uses complex tuning models to optimize loudness and dynamic range. A three-microphone array listens for "Hey ‌Siri‌," and a fourth inward-facing microphone helps isolate sound coming from the speaker to improve voice detection when music is playing.

Apple homepod mini internal hardware overlay 10132020

The device features a backlit touch surface with controls for volume, play, and pause, and it glows when ‌Siri‌ is invoked. Multiple ‌HomePod mini‌ speakers work together to stream music or podcasts to multiple rooms in sync. By placing two ‌HomePod mini‌ speakers in a single room, a stereo pair can be created for a wider soundstage.

‌HomePod mini‌ works with Apple Music, podcasts, radio stations from iHeartRadio, radio.com, and TuneIn, and in the coming months, popular music services including Pandora and Amazon Music.

Later this year, ‌HomePod mini‌ will offer a new handoff experience that understands when a user's iPhone is nearby to give visual, audio, and haptic effects. Moreover, a new "Intercom" feature can send messages from one HomePod to another within a home, as well as other devices such as ‌iPhone‌, iPad, Apple Watch, and even CarPlay-enabled vehicles.

‌HomePod mini‌ is priced at $99 and is available in both White and Space Gray. Pre-orders begin on November 6, and deliveries begin on November 16.

This story is part of our live coverage of today's Apple Event.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Tag: October 2020 Event
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral)
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Top Rated Comments

octagrapher Avatar
octagrapher
24 months ago
Pretty cool. Though this is what I'm seeing and I can't unsee it, lol.



Attachment Image
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benshive Avatar
benshive
24 months ago
I'm curious how the audio quality will compare with the original.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dominiongamma Avatar
dominiongamma
24 months ago

Spotify is shut out? Apple needs to grow up and stop this pettiness.

hopefully it has Bluetooth.
Spotify needs to grow up
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caviar_X Avatar
Caviar_X
24 months ago
Spotify is shut out? Apple needs to grow up and stop this pettiness.

hopefully it has Bluetooth.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SubduedTiger Avatar
SubduedTiger
24 months ago
Plot twist: the HomePod Mini doesn't come with a charger either.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
cmaier
24 months ago
Intercom has me more excited than anything else so far.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Related Stories

homepod feature purple

Apple Releases HomePod Software 15.4

Monday March 14, 2022 9:41 am PDT by
Alongside iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and tvOS 15.4, Apple today released a new 15.4 update that's available for the HomePod and the HomePod mini. The 15.4 update is the fourth major HomePod software update since version 15 was released, and it comes more than a month after the launch of HomePod software 15.3. The HomePod 15.4 software update brings support for captive WiFi networks, so that...
Read Full Article • 58 comments
homepod mini five colors

HomePod Mini Getting Three New Colors in November: Yellow, Orange, and Blue

Monday October 18, 2021 10:08 am PDT by
Apple today announced that the HomePod mini will be available in three new colors next month, including yellow, orange, and blue. Apple said the new HomePod mini colors will be available in November alongside the existing White and Space Gray colors, with pricing remaining at $99 in the United States. Apple did not share a specific release date. The new HomePod mini colors will be...
Read Full Article • 60 comments
homepod feature triad

Apple No Longer Planning to Launch New HomePod in 2022

Monday March 29, 2021 2:15 am PDT by
Apple was planning to launch an updated HomePod in 2022, prior to discontinuing the original HomePod, according to reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. The original HomePod was announced in 2017, representing Apple's first foray into the competitive smart speaker market. The HomePod was never replaced with an updated model, despite the HomePod mini launching with new ultra-wideband...
Read Full Article
HomePodandMini feature green

Apple Releases HomePod Software 15.1.1 With Podcasts Bug Fix

Wednesday November 3, 2021 10:19 am PDT by
After releasing tvOS 15.1.1 for the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K yesterday, Apple today introduced a new 15.1.1 software update designed for the HomePod. According to Apple's release notes for the update, it addresses a problem that could cause podcasts to fail to play on the HomePod and HomePod mini. ‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ...
Read Full Article • 80 comments
homepod mini thumb feature

HomePod Mini Launching in More Countries, Can Be Used as Apple TV Speaker Starting This Fall

Monday June 7, 2021 11:30 am PDT by
Apple today announced that the HomePod mini can be set as a default speaker output on the Apple TV 4K starting later this year. Apple also announced that the HomePod mini will be available to purchase in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand starting later this month, followed by Italy later this year. The speaker first launched in November 2020. In March, Apple announced that the full-sized ...
Read Full Article • 45 comments
homepod mini hand

Deals: Get $25 Off HomePod Mini Today at Walmart [Update: Out of Stock]

Thursday October 14, 2021 7:00 am PDT by
Walmart today has a rare deal on Apple's HomePod mini, priced at $74.17, down from $99.00. This sale is only available in the White color. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The HomePod mini is shipped and sold directly by Walmart, and it's in...
Read Full Article • 38 comments
homepod mini thumb feature

HomePod Mini Now Available to Order in New Zealand

Tuesday June 22, 2021 6:13 am PDT by
Apple this week made the HomePod mini available to order in New Zealand, with pricing set at $159 including tax. Available in Space Gray and White, the speaker currently faces a 2-3 weeks shipping estimate in the country. Apple confirmed the HomePod mini would be launching in additional countries during its WWDC keynote earlier this month. The speaker became available to order in Austria and ...
Read Full Article • 21 comments
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Colors Launching in 'Late November' in Europe

Wednesday October 27, 2021 3:21 pm PDT by
At its "Unleashed" event last week, Apple announced that the HomePod mini will be available in three new colors starting in November, including yellow, orange, and blue. The new colors will be sold alongside the existing space gray and white options. Apple has yet to provide a specific release date for the new colors, but in Europe and India, the timeframe is slightly narrowed down....
Read Full Article • 55 comments

Popular Stories

cook sept 2020 event

Gurman: Apple Preparing Pre-Recorded iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 Event

Sunday August 7, 2022 6:13 am PDT by
Apple has "started to record" its virtual September event, where it's expected to announce the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 8, and a new "rugged" Apple Watch model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the event, which is expected to take place in the early part of September, is already under production, implying...
Read Full Article • 128 comments
Apple Watch Series 7 Starlight Midnight

Standard Apple Watch Series 8 Rumored to Feature Same Design as Series 7

Friday August 5, 2022 7:46 am PDT by
The standard 41mm and 45mm models of the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7, according to Twitter user @ShrimpApplePro, who was first to reveal that iPhone 14 Pro models would feature a new pill-and-hole display. Titanium will not be an option for the standard Apple Watch Series 8 models either, according to @ShrimpApplePro, but Bloomberg's Mark...
Read Full Article • 218 comments
iPhone 14 Lineup Feature Purple

Color Options for All iPhone 14 Models: Everything We Know

Monday August 8, 2022 3:59 am PDT by
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models are rumored to be available in a refreshed range of color options, including an all-new purple color. Most expectations about the iPhone 14 lineup's color options come from an unverified post on Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this year. Overall, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro's selection of color options could look fairly similar to those of the ...
Read Full Article • 40 comments
ios 16 beta 5 battery percent

iOS 16 Beta 5: Battery Percentage Now Displayed in iPhone Status Bar

Monday August 8, 2022 10:43 am PDT by
With the fifth beta of iOS 16, Apple has updated the battery icon on iPhones with Face ID to display the specific battery percentage rather than just a visual representation of battery level. The new battery indicator is available on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, with the exception of the 5.4-inch iPhone 12/13 mini. It is also available on the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, XS and XS Max, and...
Read Full Article • 339 comments
iphone 14 pro max camera bump compared lipilipsi 16 9

Bigger iPhone 14 Pro Max Camera Bump Shown Alongside iPhone 13 Pro Max

Monday August 8, 2022 4:33 am PDT by
The camera bump on the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max is expected to be the largest rear lens housing Apple has ever installed on its flagship smartphones, and a new photo offers a rare glimpse at just how prominent it is compared to Apple's predecessor device. iPhone 14 Pro Max dummy (left) vs iPhone 13 Pro Max All iPhone 14 models are expected to see upgrades to the Ultra Wide camera on the...
Read Full Article • 128 comments
ipad pro magic keyboard white

Rumor Claims Next iPad Pro to Feature New Four-Pin Smart Connector

Sunday August 7, 2022 11:57 am PDT by
A new rumor claims that the next-generation 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro will feature a new four-pin Smart Connector, an update from the current three-pin connector in the iPad Pro. The rumor from Mac Otakara, citing "reliable sources," says that the next iPad Pro, expected to debut possibly as soon as this fall, will feature a new Smart Connector that has four-pins rather than three. The...
Read Full Article • 142 comments