Apple HomePod Mini 2 Priced at $149 for November Launch
The updated smart speaker adds Wi-Fi 6E, a faster processor, and a new green finish, though a key Mac pairing feature proved unreliable in early testing.
By Chloe Edwards ·
Apple has set the price of the new HomePod Mini 2 at $149, marking a $50 increase over the original model introduced six years ago.
The device debuted at Apple’s Welcome Home event in October 2026. It replaces the S5 chip with a faster S10 processor and upgrades connectivity from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 6E. Apple did not change the internal speaker hardware in the second generation.
The primary functional improvement is the speed of the voice assistant. During testing, Siri on the new Mini responded to music requests and smart home commands in under three seconds. By comparison, the first-generation device often required up to 10 seconds to process similar requests. The new software also reduces unnecessary verbal confirmations after executing a command.
The speaker is available in black, white, blue, pink, and a new deep green. The green finish is the first time Apple has offered that color on the Mini line. The device also features Sound Glow, a lighting effect that displays colors matching album art from Apple Music and Podcasts. This feature is backward compatible with previous HomePod models.
A new setting in the Home app allows users to lock the touch controls on the top of the speaker. This option applies to all HomePod models and is designed to prevent accidental volume changes or playback starts. The lock feature is a software update rather than a hardware change.
The Mini 2 is intended to serve as the default audio output for Mac computers running macOS 27.2 or later. This feature uses a persistent AirPlay connection to link the speaker directly to the computer. In practical use, however, the connection behaved like standard AirPlay, exhibiting occasional lag and drop-offs. The Mac did not list the HomePod as a default system output device in the Sound settings pane, despite the presence of compatible hardware.
The HomePod Mini 2 is currently the least expensive Apple device that supports the Thread and Matter smart home standards. It competes with the upcoming $299 Apple HomeView smart display, which offers a screen for additional functionality. The Mini 2 remains a viable option for users seeking a basic smart home hub without a visual interface.
Source: The Verge
