HomePod mini could finally receive its first major hardware refresh in October, six years after Apple introduced the original smart speaker.
The next-generation HomePod mini is expected to bring a much newer processor, improved audio, upgraded Ultra Wideband capabilities and refreshed colors, while Siri AI is likely to provide the biggest change to how the speaker is actually used.
The hardware may have been ready for some time. Bloomberg reported earlier this year that Apple’s next HomePod mini had been finished for months and was already being used by employees at Apple Park.
Apple was reportedly waiting for its more personalized Siri before releasing the speaker. With Siri AI now arriving, the reason for that delay is beginning to disappear.
A newer chip should give HomePod mini considerably more processing headroom than the S5 used by the current model, which originally debuted in Apple Watch Series 5. Reports have also pointed to improved sound, newer wireless technology and additional color choices.
The update could become more important when viewed alongside Apple’s wider plans for the home. A new Apple TV 4K is also expected, while Apple has spent years developing a dedicated smart-home display centered around Siri and Home controls.
Apple Stores are reportedly preparing significant changes ahead of the new Home products, suggesting Apple wants to give the category more prominence than it has today.
HomePod mini was originally announced at an October event in 2020, so an October 2026 refresh would be fitting. Apple has not announced another event yet, but HomePod mini 2 now looks increasingly likely to be part of the company’s remaining 2026 hardware lineup.
