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

by

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
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
Read Full Article • 115 comments
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Read Full Article • 98 comments
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Read Full Article • 179 comments
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Read Full Article • 179 comments
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Read Full Article • 124 comments
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Read Full Article • 62 comments
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...
Read Full Article • 278 comments

Top Rated Comments

blcamp Avatar
blcamp
40 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
nutmac
40 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
TheYayAreaLiving ?️
40 months ago
What's next for Homepod Mini - Siri needs to be fixed and integrated well seamlessly.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neliason Avatar
neliason
40 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
TheYayAreaLiving ?️
40 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
840quadra
40 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)
Read All Comments