With the launch of the foldable iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro, we finally got a functioning version of Siri AI, which will end up on many devices that aren’t smartphones. Apparently, this won’t be as straightforward as expected, as one of the most anticipated new home gadgets won’t launch with the smart assistant on board.
The HomePod mini 2 won’t get Siri AI at launch
The long-awaited HomePod mini upgrade has been finally announced today, and it comes with two major new features and new pink, green, and blue colors, alongside black and white versions. Probably the most significant improvement is the S10 chip, which was first launched on the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2024.
Thanks to this new chip, the HomePod mini 2 will support Siri AI and its smarter and more conversational responses based on artificial intelligence. However, none of these will be available at launch, as Apple says Siri AI will arrive with a later software update.
It’s unclear when this software update will launch, but we know it will require an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone to make it work. This means every model newer than the iPhone 15 Pro. In English, Siri AI will work in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Singapore.
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Do you plan to buy a new smart speaker anytime soon?
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Of course there is a price hike for the HomePod mini 2
The HomePod mini 2 can be the default speaker for Mac. | Image by Apple
After Apple raised the price of the original HomePod mini from $99 to $129, there were some hopes the new model won’t see another increase. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and the HomePod mini 2 costs $149, or another $20 more than its predecessor, which is now discontinued.
Preorders for the new speaker are already open, and shipments start on October 30. Apple also announced the HomeView smart display, a new Apple TV 4K, and a swath of smart home gadgets developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.
Reactions online didn’t seem especially positive, mostly because of the pricing. Users on Reddit were doubting that the upgrades are worth what’s practically a 50% price increase over the first generation, especially with the lack of information about the sound quality of the speaker.
Pricing is the most discussed thing about the HomePod mini 2. | Image by Reddit (screenshot
The HomePod mini 2 gets some nifty new features, as well
Sound glow on the HomePod mini 2. | Video by Apple
While Apple makes it appear like the speaker didn’t get any sound upgrades, they got several nice new features. One is called sound glow and matches the colors of the LEDs on top of the HomePod mini 2 with the song’s album cover. These colors change with the music, and it also works with the ambient soundscapes Apple offers.
You can also use the new HomePod mini as the default speaker on Mac, as long as your model supports Wi-Fi 6E or higher. There’s a new audio companion feature with a persistent AirPlay setup, which optimizes streaming so you get low-latency and responsive sound.
Finally, you can pair up to four mini 2 speakers with the new Apple TV 4K and get a surround sound home theater setup. You can use a pair of HomePod mini 2 alongside a pair of the second-generation HomePods as well. The speakers calibrate automatically depending on their location in the room and then tune the audio to fit the space.
Considering the original HomePod mini launched five years ago, the upgrades are not all that surprising, but they’re welcomed. Still, the $149 price tag will make it very difficult for Apple to compete with the $99 Google Home Speaker, $80 Amazon Echo Dot, and even the $120 Echo Dot Max.
Not sure that it’s worth it
The original HomePod mini offered class-leading audio quality, cute design, ad-free experience, and a fair price. While the technical details appear to remain unchanged, I’m not sure the new price is worth it anymore. I still think it’ll sell well, but it’s certainly much more difficult to recommend to every Apple user out there.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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