Gurman: Apple Not Working on New HomePod Mini

Apple is likely not working on a new version of the HomePod mini smart speaker, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

homepod mini thumb feature
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that he believes Apple is not "actively working" on a successor to the ‌HomePod mini‌:

After the debut of a new full-sized HomePod, many users started asking about an update to the mini model. But at this point, I don't believe that Apple is actively working on such as product. The latest HomePod doesn't include any major new functions that aren't already in the $99 mini, so there isn't an obvious reason to update the model. Sure, it would be nice to get more colors, a cheaper price, and better sound and microphones, but the real improvements probably need to be made on the back end — with Siri and app integration.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ was announced in October 2020 at Apple's iPhone 12 event. Less than half a year later, Apple discontinued the original HomePod, leaving the ‌HomePod mini‌ as the company's only smart speaker until this week when Apple relaunched the full-size HomePod form factor.

The newly reintroduced ‌HomePod‌ offers a large number of features that were previously exclusive to the ‌HomePod mini‌, including an Apple Watch S-series chip, a U1 ultra wideband chip, Thread support, a temperature and humidity sensor, and a larger backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge.

In August 2022, 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 said the update was unlikely to be "super-impressive," suggesting any changes to the ‌HomePod‌'s smaller sibling would be minor, but those plans now seem to have been shelved.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

Dwalls90 Avatar
9 months ago
Obviously as Apple enthusiasts we get excited about product updates, but I think we all need to realize that not every product needs to or should be upgraded ever year "just because". I think for Apple to take their home devices (Apple TV, HomePod, HomeKit, Home app, etc.) to the next level, it really needs to be a software push.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
9 months ago
Apple seriously needs to consider lowering the price of the HomePod Mini to $49.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
9 months ago

Apple seriously needs to consider lowering the price of the HomePod Mini to $49.
And the HomePod down to $199.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djcerla Avatar
9 months ago

Only thing I think they were looking to improve in the Mini was the sound quality. It's absolutely atrocious for audio. By audio I mean music. Its ok for radio and podcasts and surprisingly ok for TV sound within a small room.
Atrocious, it’s not.

I replaced a Bose (battery too expensive & complex to replace) with a Mini. Bass, the Bose was better. But midrange and highs, the HomePod wins hands down. Also, apparently the sound had improved somewhat after the update.

The OG HomePod was never released in Italy, much to my chagrin, so as soon as I saw the preorder I jumped in.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
9 months ago
Strange strategy. On one hand what else does it need besides more stable HomeKit software? On the other hand, will it be left to whither on the vine like the iPod touch? Between this news and the downright lazy “update” to its big brother, I feel like it may be the second option
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFan23 Avatar
9 months ago

Strange strategy. On one hand what else does it need besides more stable HomeKit software? On the other hand, will it be left to whither on the vine like the iPod touch? Between this news and the downright lazy “update” to its big brother, I feel like it may be the second option
I think like you said, it does what it needs to do.

I'm not one of those people who's incredibly down on Siri but I think all they really need to do is have a smarted voice assistant.

That and double as a speaker or pair of speakers for a Mac in a home office environment.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
iPhone 15 Pro Max 5x Optical Zoom Limit Feature 1

Apple Explains Why iPhone 15 Pro Max is Limited to 5x Optical Zoom

Wednesday September 20, 2023 9:52 am PDT by
In an interview with Numerama's Nicolas Lellouche, Apple's VP of camera software engineering Jon McCormack explained why the iPhone 15 Pro Max's tetraprism lens system is limited to 5x optical zoom, instead of 10x like on Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra. The interview is in French, so quotes below are computer translated. Apple says the Telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max features the...