HomePod Mini

HomePod mini
DeveloperApple
Product family
HomePod
TypeSmart speaker
ReleasedNovember 16, 2020; 5 years ago (2020-11-16) (1st)
October 30, 2026; 6 days' time (2026-10-30) (2nd)
Introductory price
US$99 (1st)
US$149 (2nd)
DiscontinuedOctober 13, 2026; 10 days ago (2026-10-13) (1st)
Original: audioOS 14.2 (18K60)
Current: audioOS 27.0 (24J361)
Apple S5 (1st)
Apple S10 (2nd)
Memory1 GB (LPDDR4X)
Storage32 GB
DisplayLED matrix (19 RGB LEDs)
Sound1 full-range speaker
InputTouch screen, voice commands via Siri
ConnectivityWi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, UWB (1st)
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, Thread, UWB (2nd)
Power18 W
Dimensions3.3 × 3.9 in (84 × 99 mm)
Weight0.76 lb (0.34 kg) (1st)
0.74 lb (0.34 kg) (2nd)
RelatedHomePod (second generation)
HomeView
Websiteapple.com/homepod-mini

The HomePod Mini (stylized as HomePod mini) is a series of smart speakers developed by Apple. The HomePod Mini utilizes Apple's Siri digital assistant. The first model was released on November 16, 2020 as a smaller and less expensive version of the HomePod.

The HomePod Mini 2 was announced on October 13, 2026, which added improved internals and support for Siri AI functionality. It will be released on October 30, 2026, replacing the first-generation model.

Overview

First generation (2020)

The HomePod Mini is based on the Apple S5 system in a package also used for the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE. It improves Continuity and Handoff integration, enables Siri to recognize up to six people's voices and personalizing responses to each one, and adds the Intercom feature — also available on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches — enabling users with more than one HomePod to communicate with each other in different rooms. It requires an iPhone or iPad in order to run set up; it cannot be installed from a Mac.

The HomePod Mini has a single full-range speaker, which uses two passive radiators and a waveguide to shape the sound.

HomePod Mini's wireless capabilities include 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and an ultra-wideband chip for device proximity and AirPlay Handoff. It is compatible with devices running iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later. tvOS 15 allows the Apple TV to use HomePod mini as a speaker, supporting a stereo pair.

HomePod Mini supports the Thread network protocol, supported by the Connected Home over IP working group. It can be used to control Apple Home devices and can function as a home hub, allowing it to control appliances remotely, grant guest access, and set up automations.

It has a non-detachable USB-C cable and comes with a 20W power adapter. With the release of audioOS 14.3 in late 2020, HomePod mini gained support for 18W power adapters, which made it compatible with third-party adapters and portable power banks.

It is designed to operate at temperatures from 32° to 95 °F (0° to 35 °C); at relative humidity between 5% and 90% (noncondensing); and at altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3000 m). Following its launch, teardowns found a temperature and humidity sensor that was unannounced by Apple. Humidity and temperature sensing was activated following the 16.3 software update in January 2023, after these sensors were added to the second-generation full-sized HomePod.

On October 18, 2021, Apple announced that the existing gray and white options would be joined by blue, orange, and yellow versions. The new colors have a tinted touch display that is a lighter hue of the body color, and the braided cable is also colored accordingly. On July 15, 2024, Apple discontinued the space gray option and replaced it with a midnight color.

On June 25, 2026, the U.S. price of the HomePod Mini was increased to $129, due to component price increases caused by the global RAM and SSD shortage.

Second generation (2026)

The HomePod Mini 2 was announced on October 13, 2026, and will ship on October 30, priced at $149. This represents a 15.5% increase from the previous $129 intermediate price point and a 50.5% increase over the original $99 launch price. It includes an S10 chip and adds support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6. A future software update will add Siri AI functionality when paired with a supported iPhone or iPad.

The HomePod Mini 2 can also be configured as a persistent default audio output speaker for Mac models with Wi-Fi 6E or later, as either a single unit or a matched stereo pair.

Sales

Apple sold an estimated 4.6 million smart speakers in Q4 2020, representing sales of both the HomePod Mini and original HomePod. The HomePod Mini sold an estimated 2.18 million units in Q1 2021, representing 91% of Apple's smart speaker sales, along with the original HomePod. It sold an estimated 2.5 million units worldwide in Q2 2021, and 4 million units in Q3. It sold an estimated 4.5 million units in Q1 2022 and the HomePod Mini was the top selling individual smart speaker.

Operating system

This section is an excerpt from HomePod § Operating system.[edit]

HomePod and HomePod Mini speakers run an operating system internally known as audioOS, a forked version of tvOS. This operating system was launched alongside the release of the original HomePod, released on February 9, 2018. Though it was initially a fork of iOS, since version 13.4 in 2020 it has been a fork of tvOS. Software updates are installed automatically over-the-air but can also be installed manually through the Home app. audioOS's main user-facing features are AirPlay 2 and Siri.

In 2021, an Apple job listing referenced a non-existent "homeOS" operating system, echoing previous Bloomberg leaks about possible future Apple products for the living room that would merge the Apple TV and HomePod, the job listing eventually replaced "homeOS" with "HomePod Software".

Comparison with other models

Legend   Discontinued and unsupported   Discontinued and supported   Current   Upcoming
Models HomePod
(1st generation)		 HomePod
(2nd generation)		 HomePod Mini HomePod Mini 2
Release date February 9, 2018 February 3, 2023 November 16, 2020 October 30, 2026
Discontinued March 12, 2021 In production October 13, 2026 In production
Initial OS audioOS 11.0.2 audioOS 16.0 audioOS 14.1 audioOS 27.2
Latest OS audioOS 27.0
Hardware string(s) AudioAccessory1,1
AudioAccessory1,2		 AudioAccessory6,1 AudioAccessory5,1 AudioAccessory11,1
Model number(s) A1639 A2825, A2878 A2374, A2531 A3374
System on a chip/package Apple A8 Apple S7 Apple S5 Apple S10
Speakers 7 tweeters 5 tweeters 1 full-range driver,
2 passive radiators
4-inch (10 cm) woofer
Microphones 6 4 3
Connectivity Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 4 Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5 Bluetooth 6
N/a Thread
N/a Ultra-wideband chip
Sensors Accelerometer N/a
N/a Humidity and temperature
Sound recognition
Dimensions 6.8 in × 5.6 in
(172 mm × 142 mm)		 6.6 in × 5.6 in
(168 mm × 142 mm)		 3.3 in × 3.9 in
(84.3 mm × 97.9 mm)
Weight 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) 5.16 lb (2.3 kg) 0.76 lb (345 g) 0.74 lb (335 g)
Colors
  • Space Gray
  • White
  • Midnight
  • White
  • Space Gray
  • White
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Midnight
  • White
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink
  • Midnight
Power Built-in power supply, captive cable Built-in power supply, detachable cable External 20 W USB-C power adapter, captive cable
Introductory price US$349 US$299 US$99 US$149

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Price increased to US$129 on June 25, 2026.
  2. ↑ Discontinued July 15, 2024
  3. 1 2 3 Released November 1, 2021
  4. ↑ Released July 17, 2024

References

  1. ↑ Charlton, Hartley (2026-06-25). "Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More". MacRumors. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  2. ↑ "I saw the HomePod mini 2 in action, and the coolest upgrade is actually to its glowing LEDs — but that's only because you'll have to wait for Siri AI to arrive". TechRadar. 2026-10-13. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  3. ↑ "HomePod mini". Apple. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  4. ↑ "Set up HomePod or HomePod mini". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  5. ↑ "HomePod Mini: Round, Full of Sound, and Now Torn Down | iFixit News". iFixit. 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  6. ↑ "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications - Apple". Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "What's new in tvOS 15 for Apple TV". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  8. ↑ "Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  9. ↑ Nugroho, Prayudi Satriyo (2021-03-14). "How much power does the HomePod mini actually draw?". Medium. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  10. ↑ Miller, Chance (2020-12-28). "HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  11. ↑ "Apple's HomePod Mini Has a Secret Sensor Waiting to Be Switched On". Bloomberg.com. 2021-03-22. Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  12. ↑ "How to Use the Temperature and Humidity Sensors on HomePod and HomePod Mini". MacRumors. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  13. ↑ "Apple introduces HomePod mini in midnight". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  14. ↑ Rossignol, Joe (2026-06-25). "Apple TV and HomePod Just Went Up in Price Amid Wait for New Models". MacRumors. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  15. ↑ "Apple HomePod Mini 2: Same Look but So Much Siri AI - CNET". 2026-10-13. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  16. ↑ Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (2026-10-13). "Apple announces the HomePod Mini 2, but it isn't ready for Siri AI at launch". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  17. ↑ "HomePod mini 2 Supports Being Set as Default Mac Speaker". MacRumors. 2026-10-13. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
  18. ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Sales Cross 150 Million Units for 2020 Following Robust Q4 Demand". www.businesswire.com. 2021-03-03. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  19. ↑ "Apple Is Still Struggling to Unload Its Launch Day HomePods". Gizmodo. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  20. ↑ Lovejoy, Ben (2021-07-29). "HomePod sales get 180% boost, but a new model 'may be needed'". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  21. ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Another Record Quarter for Smart Speakers in 3Q21, Though Supply Chain Woes are on the Horizon". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  22. ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Shipments Declined 5% in 1Q22 Amid Disruption from War and a Resurgent COVID Virus". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  23. ↑ "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  24. ↑ "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  25. ↑ Espósito, Filipe (13 April 2020). "HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  26. ↑ Keller, Joseph (14 March 2022). "How to install software updates for your HomePod or HomePod mini". iMore.
  27. ↑ "Apple Once Again Refers to Unreleased 'homeOS' in Job Listing [Removed]". MacRumors. November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  28. ↑ Axon, Samuel (2021-06-02). "Apple's "homeOS" slip fits with prior rumors about new smart home products". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  29. ↑ "Apple to Expand Smart-Home Lineup, Taking On Amazon and Google". Bloomberg.com. 2023-01-18. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  30. ↑ "HomePod (1st generation) - Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  31. ↑ "HomePod (2nd generation) - Tech Specs". support.apple.com.
  32. ↑ "HomePod mini - Tech Specs". support.apple.com.
  33. ↑ "HomePod Teardown". iFixit. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-03.