What's Next for HomePod Mini: Recapping the Latest Rumors

It's been over two years since Apple released the HomePod mini. Beyond new color options, the smart speaker has not been updated since launching in November 2020, but rumors suggest that a new model could be in the pipeline.

homepod mini thumb feature
Below, we've recapped the latest rumors and expectations for the HomePod mini.

HomePod Mini History

  • October 2020: Apple announces the HomePod mini during its iPhone 12 event.
  • November 2020: HomePod mini launches November 16 in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the U.K., followed by Mexico and Taiwan on November 24.
  • December 2020 - November 2021: HomePod mini launches in mainland China, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, and Italy.
  • March 2021: Apple discontinues the full-sized HomePod.
  • November 2021: HomePod mini gets three new color options: yellow, orange, and blue.
  • March 2022: HomePod mini launches in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

HomePod Mini Rumors

New Model

In August 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was considering launching an updated version of the HomePod mini in the future, but he did not provide a specific timeframe or details about potential new features. He did say the update was unlikely to be "super-impressive," suggesting any changes to the speaker would be minor.

More Countries

Apple is likely to launch the HomePod mini in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in the foreseeable future based on Siri language support.

In recent software updates, the HomePod mini and full-sized HomePod gained support for Siri in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish. Danish is still not supported on HomePods, but a report earlier this year indicated that the language was being tested.

Improved Home App

Starting with iOS 16.2, which remains in beta testing, an optional update is available for the Home app on the iPhone. Apple says the update improves the app's performance, efficiency, and reliability for controlling smart home accessories.

To upgrade the Home app, all HomePod speakers associated with the same iCloud account as the iPhone must be updated to HomePod software version 16.2, which also remains in beta testing and is expected to be released alongside iOS 16.2 later this month.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini

Popular Stories

apple oct 2024 mac tease

Apple Expected to Announce These Two to Three Products 'This Week'

Sunday October 12, 2025 7:05 am PDT by
Apple plans to announce new products "this week," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple's "Mac Your Calendars" teaser last October In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the products set to be updated this week include the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and "likely" the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, with all three likely to receive a spec bump with Apple's next-generation M5 chip. Gurman...
10

Apple to Launch New Products Starting Next Week, Claims Dubious Leak [Updated]

Friday October 10, 2025 5:57 am PDT by
Update: the Naver account appears to be referencing a speculative post on X by Vadim Yuryev, dated October 6. The original article follows. Apple will announce new products through a series of press releases beginning as soon as next week, according to a dubious claim posted on the Korean blog Naver. The Naver blog account yeux1122, which aggregates rather than originates Apple...
iOS 26 Feature

Apple Preparing iOS 26.0.2 Update for iPhones

Saturday October 11, 2025 6:59 pm PDT by
Apple's software engineers are internally testing iOS 26.0.2, according to MacRumors logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. iOS 26.0.2 will likely be a minor update that addresses bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, but we do not know any specific details yet. The update will likely be released within the next few weeks. Last month, Apple released iOS...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 18 Pro Already Rumored to Have These 6 New Features

Saturday October 11, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still nearly a year away, a handful of new features and changes have already been rumored for the devices. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. Smaller Dynamic Island The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with a slightly smaller Dynamic Island, but the devices will...
Tim Cook MacBook

Apple's Next CEO Identified

Wednesday October 8, 2025 12:30 pm PDT by
Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus remains the "leading contender" to become the company's next CEO, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Ternus is 50 years old, so he is still young enough to have a long run at the helm of Apple, after current CEO Tim Cook retires. He is already a key decision-maker at Apple, according to Gurman, and he appears to have a charismatic...
vivo liquid glass

iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design Copied by Android Smartphone Maker

Thursday October 9, 2025 4:07 pm PDT by
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo has taken some inspiration from Apple's Liquid Glass design language for its latest operating system update, OriginOS 6. Unveiled this week, OriginOS 6 has the same rounded buttons and translucent glass look as iOS 26. In a demo video, a Vivo smartphone features an interface that could be easily mistaken for iOS 26. There's a Liquid Glass clock, Control Center,...
10

Apple Event This October? Here's the Latest on What to Expect

Thursday October 9, 2025 7:00 am PDT by
While it is unclear if Apple will host an October event this year, or stick to press releases, rumors suggest it will announce several new products this month. The graphic for Apple's "Unleashed" event in October 2021 Below, we have recapped everything to know about a potential Apple event this October. When The table below outlines when Apple teased its October launches over the past...
All AirPods 2025

Apple Reportedly Working on New AirPods Pro, AirPods 5, and H3 Chip

Sunday October 12, 2025 9:24 am PDT by
After releasing AirPods Pro 3 last month, Apple is already working on the next AirPods Pro, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. It is unclear if the new AirPods Pro would be branded as AirPods Pro 4, or if they would be considered an updated version of AirPods Pro 3. Gurman did not take a position, opting to describe them as a "new version" of the "high-end in-ear buds." AirPods Pro 2...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Apple Rumored to Launch MacBook Pro With M5 Chip Before M5 Pro and M5 Max Models

Friday October 10, 2025 1:18 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to release a base MacBook Pro with a standard M5 chip before higher-end models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, according to AppleInsider's sources with "knowledge of macOS Tahoe development and hardware testing." The report said a MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is "nearing release," and Apple has apparently been testing this model with an unreleased macOS 26.0.2 version....

Top Rated Comments

blcamp Avatar
37 months ago
Not a fan of the Mini... I want a new, updated, full-sized HomePod. In fact, I'll take FOUR of them!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
37 months ago
My wishes for HomePod mini:

* Faster processor capable of On-Device Siri
* Better noise handling on the microphone
* Improved audio quality (louder)
* LED segments on the status lights that displays the current time or timer status
* Spec bumped to Wi-Fi 6
* Bedtime Sleep integration when the iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
37 months ago
What's next for Homepod Mini - Siri needs to be fixed and integrated well seamlessly.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neliason Avatar
37 months ago
Siri is the problem. Beyond setting a timer and telling me the weather it isn’t good for much. The speakers themselves are great for having them spread throughout the house to play music or podcasts. But initiating that via Siri works so poorly that I gave up on it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
37 months ago

My wishes for HomePod mini:

* Faster processor capable of On-Device Siri
* Better noise handling on the microphone
* Improved audio quality (louder)
* LED segments on the status lights that displays the current time or timer status
* Spec bumped to Wi-Fi 6
* Bedtime Sleep integration when the iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby

A Product Red HomePod Mini would be very welcoming. Or how about a radium-luminous color so it can be seen at night without turning on the lights?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
840quadra Avatar
37 months ago
Wouldn't mind a bit more functions such as a full EQ, and the units could use far brighter sound overall. Coaxial (if possible) woofer / tweeter for more crisp highs would be appreciated.

I love my stereo pair, and while they do have better bass, the sound quality is just not as sharp as my old pair of Apple Pro desktop speakers!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)