Smart & Connected Life > Smart Home > HomePod Mini 2: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors The HomePod Mini 2 could be released this year with an upgraded chip By Mandy Carr Mandy Carr Associate Editor University of Tampa University of Sunderland Mandy is an Associate Editor for Lifewire, where she makes sure the content is up to date with the latest information and writes other product articles. She's well-versed in TV, smartphones, and startups. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on September 4, 2024 In This Article Release Date Estimate Price Rumors Pre-Order Information Specs and Features Latest News We've heard speculation that Apple will announce the HomePod Mini 2 soon. We've got the rumors and theories about when the next-generation HomePod Mini could be coming and what its upgrades could be. When Will the HomePod Mini 2 Be Released? Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the HomePod Mini 2 would start shipments in the second half of 2024. If so, the next-generation HomePod Mini could be announced at an event in October or November. Additionally, if Apple is sticking to the previous release schedule for the HomePod and HomePod 2, that would mean it would be announced this year or next, given the four years between those generations. Kuo also believes the HomePod Mini 2 could be released with the HomePod 3. Another analyst, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, doesn't believe a HomePod Mini 2 is coming anytime soon because he doesn't see any reason to update the product. After all, the HomePod on the market has all the same features as the HomePod Mini, which is $99. Lifewire's Release Date Estimate October 2024 is absolutely the earliest we expect to see the HomePod Mini 2. HomePod Mini 2 Price Rumors Apple has not yet revealed the cost of the HomePod Mini 2. The current one on the market is $99. One of the HomePod Mini's competitors, Echo Dot, is $49.99. So, if Apple wants to keep it at a competitive price point, it will likely stay at the same price. If the tech company releases the next-generation HomePod Mini with some major upgrades, it could mean a slight price increase. However, the HomePod 2 is $299, so it would likely still be much cheaper than the full-sized version. Pre-Order Information The HomePod Mini 2 will be available for pre-order not long after Apple announces its launch. We'll provide a link here when it's available. HomePod Mini Specs and Features While Apple has yet to announce specific updates, we have heard some speculation. The current HomePod Mini comes in five colors: white, midnight, yellow, orange, and blue. An easy update to the next-generation HomePod Mini would be even more options. The chip is another area where the HomePod Mini can receive an upgrade. The Apple Watch Series 5 came out about a year before the HomePod Mini, and both have the S5 Chip. The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to have an S10 chip, and some outlets believe the HomePod Mini 2 will as well. Additionally, the next-generation HomePod Mini could receive Wi-Fi 6E support. This wireless standard has been featured in many Apple products since 2022, including the 4th-generation, 11-inch iPad Pro, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro and Air. Wi-Fi 6E support would let the HomePod Mini 2 download/upload information faster, and the microphone setup could also improve for smoother interactions with Siri. A Wi-Fi 6E upgrade would also allow for greater range for the speaker, giving you more flexibility with where to put the device in your home. Consumers would also like to see improved audio and support. Apple's technology has advanced since the HomePod Mini was released, so it should have better audio performance. In addition, Apple users would also like to see third-party apps and Android compatibility, which the first generation lacked. Many smart speakers feature a mute button to give users peace of mind, but this was something the HomePod Mini was missing. The device is not supposed to record anything unless you wake it by saying, "Hey Siri." and you can put it to sleep by saying, “Hey Siri, stop listening,” However, a physical button may give users better peace of mind by making the mute function more active. The Latest News about HomePod Mini 2 You can read all the latest Apple-related news here on Lifewire. Below are some stories about the HomePod Mini and other Apple products: Apple's New HomePod Mini Available July 17 Why the HomePod mini Is the Best Way to Get Into Trustworthy Home Automation Gurman Says New iPhones Will Look ‘Similar to Last Year's’ Can Apple Intelligence—or Any AI, Really Be Private? Echo Dot vs. HomePod Mini: What's the Difference?