The Apple HomePod Mini 2 has not been updated since it launched in October 2020. That is over five years without a change. Now in 2026, a new HomePod Mini is finally on the way. Multiple reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other sources confirm the second-generation HomePod Mini is ready and waiting for launch. The delay has been due to Apple holding it back until a revamped version of Siri is ready. Here is everything known about the new HomePod Mini 2.
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Apple HomePod Mini 2 Release Date
The current HomePod Mini runs on the S5 chip, the same chip used in the Apple Watch Series 5 back in 2019. It has handled Siri commands well enough but felt slow compared to newer Apple devices. The current model also lacks Wi-Fi 7, Thread, and newer Ultra Wideband technology. Apple kept the price at $99 all these years, which kept it competitive against the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Mini. The new model is expected to keep the same $99 price tag.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 New Chip – S9 or Newer
The HomePod Mini 2 is expected to get the S9 chip, the same chip used in Apple Watch Series 9. This is a big upgrade over the five-year-old S5 chip. The S9 has a built-in Neural Engine which allows more tasks to be handled on the device itself without sending data to the cloud. This means faster Siri responses and better on-device processing for HomeKit automations. Some reports suggest Apple may use an even newer chip depending on final production decisions.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Connectivity – Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread
The new HomePod Mini will get the N1 wireless chip, which brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. Wi-Fi 7 gives faster and more stable wireless performance. Thread is a smart home protocol that makes the HomePod Mini a better hub for HomeKit devices around the house. A second-generation Ultra Wideband chip is also expected, which improves device handoff and proximity detection. This means features like handing off music from your iPhone to the HomePod Mini will work more smoothly.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Sound Quality – Is It Better
Sound quality is expected to improve with the new chip. The S9 enables better computational audio, which means the HomePod Mini can analyse the room it is in and adjust its sound output accordingly. The current model already does a version of this but the new chip allows it to be more accurate and responsive in real time. The speaker setup inside is expected to stay similar in size given the compact form factor of the Mini.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Colors – New Red Option Added
A new red color option is expected to be added to the HomePod Mini 2 lineup. The current model comes in white, midnight, and yellow. Red will be a new addition. The overall design of the HomePod Mini is not expected to change. It will stay compact and round with the same mesh fabric exterior.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 and Apple Intelligence – Siri Upgrade
The main reason Apple held back the HomePod Mini 2 is Siri. Apple is working on a completely rebuilt version of Siri powered by large language model technology. This new Siri is expected to debut with iOS 27 in September 2026. Apple wants the new HomePod Mini to launch alongside or after this new Siri so that buyers get the full experience from day one. Without the new Siri, the new chip in the HomePod Mini would not show its full potential for voice assistant tasks.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Launch Date – When Is It Coming
Mark Gurman has confirmed the HomePod Mini 2 has been ready since late 2025 but Apple chose to delay it. The new model is expected to launch alongside a new full-sized HomePod and a new Apple TV. The launch window is likely to be after WWDC in June 2026, with a possible release in September or later in 2026 when the new Siri rolls out. Some HomePod Mini configurations are already showing limited availability at Apple stores, which is a sign a new model is close.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Price – Will It Stay at $99
The HomePod Mini 2 is expected to stay at $99. Apple has kept the price unchanged for five years on the current model and there is no indication of a price increase for the next generation. At $99 it remains competitive against rivals like the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Audio.
FAQs About Apple HomePod Mini 2
Q. When will the HomePod Mini 2 launch? It is expected to launch after WWDC in June 2026, likely alongside the new Siri in September 2026. Apple has held it back until the revamped Siri is ready.
Q. What chip will the HomePod Mini 2 use? The S9 chip from Apple Watch Series 9 is expected. Some reports suggest Apple may use an even newer chip.
Q. Will the price change on the new HomePod Mini? No price increase is expected. It is likely to stay at $99.
Q. What new colors will be available? A new red color option is expected alongside the existing white, midnight, and yellow options.
Q. Will the HomePod Mini 2 support Apple Intelligence? Yes. The new S9 chip has a Neural Engine that supports on-device AI processing. Full Apple Intelligence features will come with the new Siri in iOS 27.
Q. Will the design change? No. The compact round design with mesh fabric exterior is staying. Changes are all internal.
Conclusion
The HomePod Mini 2 is a long-overdue update. A new chip, Wi-Fi 7, Thread, better sound, and a new color option make it a meaningful upgrade over the five-year-old current model. The $99 price staying the same makes it an easy buy for anyone in the Apple ecosystem. A launch later in 2026 alongside the new Siri is the most likely scenario.
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