Apple has unveiled the HomePod mini 2 at its “Welcome Home” event, giving its small smart speaker a new chip, fresh colors, and a higher price. The device costs $149, compared with the original HomePod mini’s $99 launch price in 2020.
That makes the HomePod mini 2 a $50 increase over the original launch price. The listed figures also describe it as costing $20 more than its predecessor, so the headline price is clear even though the comparison figures differ. Preorders open on October 13, 2026, and the speaker will ship on October 30, 2026.
A new chip leads the upgrade
The main hardware change is Apple’s S10 chip, which replaces the S5 chip from 2019. The S10 is more powerful and enables Siri AI on a HomePod for the first time. The chip first debuted in the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2024.
That upgrade gives the HomePod mini 2 a stronger connection to Apple’s AI plans, but the most important feature will not be ready on launch day. Siri AI support will arrive as a future update, meaning buyers will need to wait before using those new AI features on the speaker.
“The main differences are Siri AI, a new chip and Sound Glow,” Filipe Espósito said. That is a short list, but it captures the main reason Apple is asking customers to pay more for the new model.
The phone requirement also matters. Enabling Siri AI on the HomePod mini 2 requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, while the speaker’s AI features depend on Apple’s wider device setup.
Sound Glow adds a visual music feature
The HomePod mini 2 has a touch-sensitive surface with Sound Glow, an effect that syncs with music and reacts to bass and treble. It gives the speaker a visual response to the sound instead of limiting the experience to audio alone.
Sound Glow requires pairing the HomePod mini 2 with an iPhone or iPad running Apple Intelligence. That means the feature is tied to compatible Apple hardware rather than working as a standalone speaker function.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy put the timing plainly: “Support for those new AI features will roll out as part of a future update.” Apple says support for those new AI features will roll out as part of a future update, so the HomePod mini 2’s biggest software promise remains something buyers will receive later.
More ways to use the speaker at home
The HomePod mini 2 can serve as the default speaker for a Mac, which gives it a role beyond music playback from a phone or tablet. It can also join a home theater setup with the new Apple TV 4K. Up to four HomePod mini 2 units can pair with the Apple TV 4K for surround sound.
The new Apple TV 4K costs $299. Apple has also announced the HomeView smart display and a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K as part of a broader suite of new products. The new collection of smart home devices starts at $199, placing the HomePod mini 2 within a wider push into connected home hardware.
Apple is offering the new speaker in pink, green, blue, white, and black. The range gives the HomePod mini 2 more color choices while keeping the product positioned as a small device for different rooms and setups.
What the higher price gets you
The HomePod mini 2’s case is built around three changes: the S10 chip, Sound Glow, and future Siri AI support. The chip is available from day one, and Sound Glow works when paired with an iPhone or iPad running Apple Intelligence. Siri AI, however, will not be available at launch.
That timing makes the purchase decision simple but important. Customers who want a new color, Mac speaker support, or surround sound with up to four units can use those features when the speaker ships. Customers buying mainly for Siri AI will be paying now for a feature that Apple plans to add later.
With preorders opening October 13 and shipping set for October 30, the HomePod mini 2 arrives as part of Apple’s larger smart home lineup. Its $149 price places it above the original HomePod mini, but Apple is using the S10 chip and its upcoming AI support to explain the difference.
Based on
- Apple HomePod mini 2 vs. Apple HomePod mini: What do you get for the $50 increase? — engadget.com
- Apple Updates The HomePod Mini With More Audio Features And New Colors — engadget.com
- Here are all the new HomePod Mini 2 colors | The Verge — theverge.com
- Apple announces the HomePod Mini 2, but it isn’t ready for Siri AI at launch | The Verge — theverge.com
