HomePod Mini With Updated Chip Coming Soon - MacRumors
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HomePod Mini With Updated Chip Coming Soon

Apple is working on a refreshed version of the HomePod mini, and it will have an updated processor that's based on the S-series chips inside the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and the upcoming Apple Watch Series 11.

yellow homepod mini image
A reference to a ‌HomePod‌ mini equipped with a chip that uses T8310 microarchitecture was discovered in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The device has a B525 codename, which likely corresponds to the next-generation ‌HomePod‌ mini, since the current model's codename is B520.

The existing S9 and S10 chips in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 10 have T8310 cores, and we're expecting the S11 in the Apple Watch Series 11 to use the same technology.

The current version of the ‌HomePod‌ mini has an S5 chip that was originally developed for the Apple Watch. Since the reference in the code is to the T8310 processor and the S9, S10, and S11 all use it, we don't know if Apple will call the chip the S9, S10, or S11.

Since the ‌HomePod‌ mini is expected to launch in late 2025, it would make sense for Apple to equip it with the S11 chip that will also be in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. The chip that's expected for the HomePod mini 2 will be a good deal faster than the S5. It features a 64-bit dual-core processor that's based on the A16, and a 4-core Neural Engine.

We don't know much about the ‌HomePod mini 2‌ aside from the fact that it's going to get an updated chip, but rumors have suggested that it will also feature a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip with Wi-Fi 6E support. New color options are also a possibility.

Apple could introduce the ‌HomePod mini 2‌ any time from September to December.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini 2
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Buy Now)

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Top Rated Comments

Gengar Avatar
16 months ago
If they don’t improve Siri, it won’t be worth the upgrade.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Radeon85 Avatar
16 months ago
I’m just looking forward to onboard processing of basic Siri commands for much faster response times instead of sending every damn request over the Internet, this was the best feature added to the Ultra 2, and it made a massive difference to response times. A new, updated mini is very long overdue.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 months ago
FeatureCurrent HomePod mini (B520)Expected HomePod mini 2 (B525)
ChipS5 (based on Apple Watch Series 5)Likely S11 (based on A16, T8310 microarchitecture)
CPU64-bit dual-core, older generation64-bit dual-core, newer generation, much faster
Neural EngineNone4-core Neural Engine
Wi-FiWi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi 6E
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0New Apple-designed Bluetooth/Wi-Fi combo chip
Audio ProcessingGood computational audioFaster processing, improved AI-driven enhancements
Color OptionsWhite, Space Gray, Blue, Yellow, OrangeExisting + possible new colors
Launch DateNovember 2020Expected Sep–Dec 2025
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TVreporter Avatar
16 months ago
Knowing Apple they’ll make them incompatible with version 1.

I’ve got several and they are fine. If the audio quality is improved I’ll consider upgrading.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
16 months ago

All I’m asking is that they fix it to work with song titles. I was trying to listen to “International Players Anthem” by UGK yesterday, and Siri played “Big Pimpin’” featuring UGK instead, all because the title on Apple Music is stylized as “Int’l Players Anthem.” It’s a problem with songs stylized in all caps too. It took forever for Siri to understand “CUFF IT” (by Beyoncé) was not “CUFF I.T.” Siri is just all around a terrible assistant.
At least you got a similar song. I’ve asked Siri to play a song and she decides to play a totally different genre of music.

I don’t think anything Apple says seriously when it comes to Siri I remember when they said it was going to be more capable offline. That means it doesn’t need to ask Apple servers the answer to everything.

Here’s an example of what happens when you disconnect Siri from the mothership. She goes from barely capable to I don’t know my name anymore.




Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 months ago
Maybe it’s just me, but I hate using voice assistants for music. It’s not just that Siri is useless, I don’t like the superior voice assistant platforms, either. It’s just easier to use a visual interface. I can search Apple Music on my iPad faster than I can say “Hey Siri, play Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne on Apple Music”. Even if Siri gets it right (which is a big if), what if I want one of the many live versions instead? Then I have to add the album name, but what if I don’t know the album name? An iPad and a dumb Bluetooth speaker is just the superior option.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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