What to Expect From the HomePod Mini 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year

More than four years have passed since Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, and the wait for a new model might finally soon be over.

homepod mini thumb feature
Below, we recap rumors about the next-generation HomePod mini.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week reported that a new HomePod mini will be released next year. He said the speaker will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which supports Wi-Fi 6E. It is unclear if the chip's Wi-Fi 6E support will be enabled for the new HomePod mini, but if it is, that would allow for faster wireless connectivity compared to the current model's Wi-Fi 4 support.

While there are no other rumors yet, likely upgrades for the next HomePod mini include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience, and new color options. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip, which debuted in 2019's Apple Watch Series 5.

In addition to a new HomePod mini, Apple reportedly plans to release an all-new smart home hub as soon as March next year. The hub is expected to feature around a 6-inch display that can be mounted on a wall, or attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, so the device could be similar to the HomePod mini in some ways.

It is unclear if the next HomePod mini will have Siri improvements, as unlike the home hub, the speaker is not expected to get Apple Intelligence.

Check out our HomePod mini roundup for more details.

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

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Top Rated Comments

Apple247 Avatar
15 weeks ago
Gather 'round y'all – it's time for our weekly roundup of predictable incremental changes we won't see anytime soon!
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rymc02 Avatar
15 weeks ago
Why doesn't Apple offer a "4.1" speaker setup with HomePods? They have a movie studio and Spatial Audio. You would think they would be pushing theater sound at home. A great excuse for people to buy more HomePods.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
15 weeks ago
Apple needs to clarify how Apple Intelligence will be added to HomePod (and Apple Watch which uses the same processor).
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johannnn Avatar
15 weeks ago

While there are no other rumors yet, likely upgrades for the next HomePod mini include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience, and new color options. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip, which debuted in 2019's Apple Watch Series 5.
so no Siri update lol? what makes me wanna throw my homepods in the trash is not the sound quality or the latency or the color, it's Siri that is a piece of ****.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechnoTiger3000 Avatar
15 weeks ago
After 4 years of HomePod mini hell, a basic Bluetooth speaker without Siri would feel downright revolutionary in my household.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacsRgr8 Avatar
15 weeks ago
What to expect from me: not buying them.
I have a pair of Homepod minis (bought them for our cabin for convenience, not for the audio quality), but as the internet connection is wonky there, I have stability issues.... frequently the Apple TV disconnects form them.

Looking to go back to a normal amplifier and set of stereo dumb-speakers and connect that to the Apple TV (via TV and toslink)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)