Apple initially introduced the HomePod mini in 2020 alongside the iPhone 12 lineup, and since then, the product has remained mostly untouched. Apple added some new color options in 2021, including blue, orange, and yellow. The company also replaced Space Gray with Midnight last year, which looks the same – except its now 100% recycled mesh fabric. It also updated the packaging early this year.
However, for the first time in half a decade, Apple will finally be updating the HomePod mini, with a couple of enhancements.
New networking chip
One of the only rumored upgrades with the upcoming HomePod mini is that Apple will be introducing its own in-house networking chip, codenamed ‘Proxima’, in the product. HomePod mini will be one of the first products to gain this networking chip, and will introduce Wi-Fi 6E to HomePod mini.
Additionally, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has mentioned the fact that Apple’s networking chip has the capability to serve as a wireless access point, potentially allowing the HomePod mini to be far more than just a smart speaker. It’s unclear whether or not Apple intends to utilize this capability, though. If they did, it could allow for the HomePod mini to serve as part of a Wi-Fi mesh network, similar to the long-discontinued AirPort Express.
Apple Intelligence? Probably not
Unfortunately, despite the HomePod being such a great place for Apple Intelligence features, especially when it comes to Siri, it isn’t currently rumored that HomePod nor HomePod mini will be gaining support for Apple Intelligence features. Apple’s upcoming smart home display, which some refer to as ‘HomePad’, is expected to gain Apple Intelligence, however.
Apple would need to introduce an A17 Pro or A18 chipset in the HomePod mini for Apple Intelligence features, which would likely increase costs to a high degree. Apple currently uses Apple Watch chipsets inside of the HomePod, with the mini equipping the S5 chipset from the Apple Watch Series 5 and 1st generation Apple Watch SE.
At the very least, Apple could hopefully introduce features like ChatGPT integration, or rely on Private Cloud Compute for Apple Intelligence Siri requests from HomePod. Neither of these would require a ton of on-board compute, but it would obviously have a server cost to Apple. Maybe they’d just eat the cost for the sake of Siri actually being good, or they’d require users to be paying for a certain iCloud+ tier. Only time will tell.
Other potential upgrades
Apple will also likely improve audio quality with the next generation HomePod mini, given the fact that it’ll have been around five years since the last refresh. Apple could also update the color options.
Release date
Top comment by The Strategy Wargamer
If it has a Wireless Access Point I will buy for like every room in the house, not joking. I love The HomePod Mini. We got a Vizio TV but the speakers didnt reach the couch which was about 6-10 feet away. The HomePod Mini which is under the TV was easily able to reach us and give good sound. Made me think of getting the bigger one.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, HomePod mini 2 will debut later this year:
Apple’s less consequential products will get refreshed as well. A new AirTag with better range — code-named B589 — is already nearing production. And there are new HomePod mini and Apple TV set-top box models planned for release toward the end of the year. The latter two products will be built with Apple’s new smart home ecosystem in mind.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming HomePod mini? What other upgrades would you like to see in the product? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
- Anker MagSafe/Qi2 Ultra-Slim Battery Pack
- Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
- MOFT MagSafe Wallet Stand, fits up to 3 cards
- Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse for Mac
- ESR CryoBoost 3-in-1 25W MagSafe Charging Stand
- AirPods Pro 3 (2x ANC vs AirPods Pro 2!)
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