Apple’s anticipated HomePod mini refresh, featuring a more powerful processor and enhanced Siri AI, is reportedly nearing release alongside an updated Apple TV, signalling a major upgrade after nearly six years.
Apple’s long-awaited HomePod mini refresh now appears to be close to market, with Bloomberg reporting that the new speaker and an updated Apple TV are nearly ready and could arrive this autumn. The original HomePod mini was launched in October 2020 and, apart from later colour additions, has seen no major hardware change since then. Apple has not confirmed the device exists, but the latest reporting suggests the company has been holding it back while it finishes work on a new Siri.
The clearest upgrade is expected to be a faster processor. The current HomePod mini uses Apple’s S5 chip, which first appeared in Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019 and handles the speaker’s computational audio tuning. Reports from MacRumors and others have pointed to an S9-class chip or newer, while Bloomberg has said only that the new model should look similar to the current version but include a faster chip built to support Siri AI. That still leaves open how much of the new assistant experience will run locally on the speaker, given that an S9-level chip is not comparable with the on-device models used in recent iPhones.
Siri’s overhaul is likely to be the main selling point. Apple introduced Siri AI with iOS 27, promising broader knowledge, personal context, more advanced app actions and better follow-up handling. The company has not said exactly which of those features will reach HomePod, but multiple reports indicate that the answer depends on new hardware. Existing HomePod models are already getting smaller software improvements through HomePod 27, including AutoMix and faster AirPlay, but the larger assistant upgrade appears to be reserved for the next generation.
Other changes are expected to focus on sound and connectivity. Bloomberg has previously said audio quality should improve, though detailed changes to the speaker or microphone array have not been disclosed. MacRumors reported that Apple may use its own wireless chip, with expectations now centring on the N1, which could add newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread support. The new model is also rumoured to gain a newer Ultra Wideband chip, which could make iPhone handoff faster and more precise. Price is harder to predict. The current HomePod mini sells for $129 in the US, after Apple raised the price from its original $99 launch level, and it is unclear whether the next version will stay there, move higher or sit alongside a discounted current model. For most buyers, waiting appears sensible unless they are simply expanding an existing setup, because the present speaker is nearing six years old and a replacement is reportedly close.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
