New HomePod Mini Finally Expected This Year Following 2020 Launch

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It might be hard to believe, but the HomePod mini launched alongside the iPhone 12 series all the way back in November 2020. Fortunately, after more than a four-year wait, a new model is finally expected to launch later this year.

homepod mini thumb feature
Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is aiming to launch the new HomePod mini "toward the end of the year." According to his reporting, the speaker will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, with Wi-Fi 6E support. The current HomePod mini supports Wi-Fi 4, so Wi-Fi 6E would be an upgrade, enabling faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for Siri, music playback, and more.

While there are no other firm rumors yet, likely upgrades for the next HomePod mini include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, new color options, and a newer Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience. 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 at some point this year. The hub is expected to feature around a 6-inch to 7-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.

The home hub is expected to support Apple Intelligence, but the next HomePod mini is not. Read our HomePod mini roundup for more details.

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

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Top Rated Comments

Naraxus Avatar
Naraxus
11 months ago
Wired, not wired not a big deal either way for me. All I care about is the sound quality.

I can imagine people here though. If it's wired, we get what we have here today. If it's wireless, endless complaints about the battery in it ?‍♂️
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefrost Avatar
thefrost
11 months ago

The home hub is expected to support Apple Intelligence, but the next HomePod mini is not.
Doesn't matter since Siri is still trash anyways.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Warputin Avatar
Warputin
11 months ago
Every time I think about buying a few, I’m like oh yeah it’s not wireless…
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Remy149 Avatar
Remy149
11 months ago

Doesn't matter since Siri is still trash anyways.
For smart home functionality I find HomeKit and Siri to be the best with voice commands.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
furd Avatar
furd
11 months ago
I dunno. I bought a couple and, for a while, they were truly "plug and play" -- fdo the setup once and I was done.

But now, they have become practically unusable; requiring endless resets and STILL not being something I can connect to. The design decision to make everything "automagic" means that I can't troubleshoot the problem and I have come to hate them -- seriously considering taking a baseball bat to them, just to see how far I could pound one (given their softball size).

I've tried to be calm, but I would never be able to recommend these to anyone
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
awdodson24 Avatar
awdodson24
11 months ago
On the whole wired/wireless debate: The current Homepod Mini, as it's designed today, is not a good wireless (on-the-go) product. It's designed for the indoors. Take it outside and it's going to get wrecked by dirt, etc. Apple would need to design a brand new product if they want to go that route.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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