Apple’s new Siri AI experience will not be coming to the original HomePod mini, despite the upgraded assistant being one of the headline features of the newly announced HomePod mini 2.
As 9to5Mac reports, Apple’s first-generation HomePod mini will remain on the existing Siri experience, with Siri AI support reserved for the new HomePod mini 2.
The difference comes down largely to hardware. Apple’s new HomePod mini 2 replaces the S5 chip used in the original model with the newer S10 chip, which powers the expanded Siri AI experience alongside Apple’s latest computational audio features.
Apple says Siri AI on HomePod mini 2 will bring more natural conversations, broad world knowledge and personal context features. When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, the speaker will be able to draw on information from apps and a user’s personal context to help answer requests and complete tasks.
The limitation means owners of the original HomePod mini will need to upgrade to the new model if they want Siri AI on Apple’s smaller smart speaker. The first-generation HomePod mini originally launched in 2020 and continues to receive HomePod software updates, but Apple is keeping its more substantial Siri upgrade for newer hardware.
Apple announced HomePod mini 2 earlier this week, with the new speaker also gaining refreshed colors, enhanced audio capabilities and new features such as Sound Glow.
HomePod mini 2 is available to pre-order now for $149 in the U.S. and £149 in the UK, with availability beginning October 30. Siri AI itself will arrive later through a free software update rather than being available on launch day.
Apple has not announced any plan to bring Siri AI to the original HomePod mini.
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