Apple is set to launch a refreshed HomePod mini this autumn, featuring a new processor, Wi-Fi 7, and enhanced connectivity, ending a long hardware hiatus and signalling a broader push into the smart home market.
Apple is preparing a long-awaited update to the HomePod mini, with multiple reports suggesting the second-generation model is close to launch this autumn. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said the speaker and an updated Apple TV 4K are being held back so they can debut alongside a redesigned Siri, which is expected to arrive with Apple’s iOS 27 and macOS 27 software releases later this year.
That would end one of the longest hardware pauses in Apple’s recent product history. MacRumors reported that the HomePod mini reached 2,000 days on the market in April without a true specification refresh, despite its original debut in October 2020 and Apple’s later additions of new colour finishes. The larger HomePod returned in January 2023, but the mini has remained the same internally ever since.
The next version is expected to focus on speed and connectivity rather than a redesign. Reports cited by Macworld suggest Apple has tested an S10 chip for the speaker, while other reporting points to either an S9 or S10 processor paired with a new N1 networking chip. That combination could bring Wi-Fi 7, improved Bluetooth and Thread support, plus a second-generation ultra-wideband chip to make hand-off with nearby Apple devices more reliable.
The physical design is expected to stay familiar. Most reports say Apple will retain the compact spherical shape and mesh fabric covering that define the current model, although fresh colour options have been discussed. Apple is also said to be weighing whether the new device can support Apple Intelligence on-device, an open question if the chip remains one originally designed for the Apple Watch.
The HomePod mini refresh appears to be part of a broader push into the smart home market. Bloomberg and other reports say Apple is also working on a larger home hub with a roughly 7-inch display, speaker, facial recognition, proximity sensors and FaceTime support, as well as a HomeKit-compatible camera and an updated Apple TV 4K with an A17 Pro chip. Apple has not confirmed any of these products, and the timing has shifted repeatedly, with earlier expectations for 2025 and spring 2026 giving way to the latest October 2026 window.
Pricing remains unclear. The current HomePod mini now costs $129, while the second-generation full-size HomePod is priced at $349, according to Macworld. Apple has not disclosed where the refreshed mini will sit in the range, but industry watchers expect more detail as the company’s usual September launch cycle approaches.
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