The HomePod mini 2 costs $149, ships on October 30, and adds a faster S10 chip, a light-up top, and Mac speaker support. The big catch: the new Siri AI isn’t there on day one. It comes later in a free software update.
So should you buy it now or wait? Here’s what you get today, what’s still coming, and who should skip it.
Quick Facts
- Price: $149 in the US, up from $99 when the original launched in 2020.
- Pre-orders are open now, with sales starting October 30, 2026.
- Chip: Apple’s S10, up from the S5 in the first model.
- Colors: white, blue, midnight, plus new green and pink.
- Siri AI: arrives later through a free update, with no date confirmed.
That last point matters most if you’re buying mainly for the smarter assistant.
What’s new in the HomePod mini 2
The headline upgrade is the chip. According to TechRadar, the S10 is the same chip family used in recent Apple Watch models. It should mean faster responses and better connectivity.
The audio hardware looks unchanged: one full-range driver and two passive radiators. Don’t expect a big jump in sound quality. The gains are in what the speaker can do, not how loud it gets.
Here’s how the two generations compare:
| Feature | Original HomePod mini | HomePod mini 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 at 2020 launch | $149 |
| Chip | S5 | S10 (same family as recent Apple Watch) |
| Top light | Basic touch surface | Sound Glow LEDs that follow album art |
| Mac speaker | Not supported | Yes, single or stereo pair (Wi-Fi 6E Mac) |
| Surround | No | Rear pair with the new Apple TV 4K |
| Colors | Includes yellow and orange | White, blue, midnight, new green and pink |
The price jump is the part most people will notice first. You’re paying $50 more than the original’s launch price for the extras above.
Sound Glow: the light-up top, explained
The flat top now has finer LEDs. They pick colors from the album art of whatever’s playing, and they also animate for soundscapes like rain.
TechRadar’s reviewer says the lights aren’t very bright, so think of it as a soft mood effect. Controlling Sound Glow by voice needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence turned on, per The Shortcut.
When will Siri AI come to the HomePod mini 2?
Apple hasn’t said. The new Siri is not part of the launch software, and the company only calls it a future free update. Treat any specific date you see online as a guess.
What we do know is the plan. You’ll opt in from the Home app on your iPhone, and others in your household can switch over too. Supported languages include English in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa.
With a compatible iPhone or iPad, Siri AI can use personal context, such as finding a song a friend texted you or adding items to a grocery list. It can also recognize up to six household members by voice. Without a compatible device, you still get general knowledge, conversation, and music discovery.
The speaker needs HomePod software 27.2 or later. If you want the wider picture of that release, see our guide to iOS 27.2 and its Siri changes.
Using it with your Mac, Apple TV, and smart home
The mini 2 can now act as a speaker for a Mac, for movies, games, and calls. It works as a single speaker or a stereo pair, and your Mac needs Wi-Fi 6E or newer.
It can also serve as the rear pair in a four-speaker surround setup with the new Apple TV 4K. That Apple TV and the HomeView display arrive on November 13, two weeks after the speaker.
As a home hub, it controls locks, garage doors, blinds, thermostats, and lights. It also listens for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and alerts your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Apple says not to rely on it in emergencies, so keep your real alarms.
This launch came in the same week as Apple’s computers. If you missed those, our M6 iMac breakdown covers the other November 6 release.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the HomePod mini 2?
It costs $149 in the US. Pre-orders are open in the US and more than 20 other countries and regions.
When does the HomePod mini 2 come out?
Sales start on October 30, 2026. Pre-orders are already open on apple.com and in the Apple Store app.
Does the HomePod mini 2 have Siri AI at launch?
No. Siri AI arrives through a free software update later, and Apple hasn’t given a date.
Do I need an iPhone to use it?
Yes, for setup and the best features. Personal Siri AI context and Sound Glow voice control need an iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence.
Should I upgrade from the original HomePod mini?
Only if you want Mac speaker use, surround with the new Apple TV, or the coming Siri AI. For plain music and timers, the old one still works.
Our take: buy it for what’s coming, not what’s here
If you live in Apple’s ecosystem and plan to buy the new Apple TV 4K, the HomePod mini 2 is an easy yes. If you only want a cheap speaker today, the $149 price and the missing Siri AI make waiting for a review, or a discount, the smarter move.
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