Apple launched the HomePod mini virtually 5 years in the past and with a successor now on the horizon, listed here are six issues to count on from a second-generation mannequin.
Sensible Residence Focus
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says that, similar to the next-generation Apple TV, the brand new HomePod mini “can be constructed with Apple’s new good residence ecosystem in thoughts.”
It’s unclear if the subsequent HomePod mini may have Siri enhancements. Not like Apple’s long-rumored good residence hub product, the brand new HomePod mini is just not anticipated to get Apple Intelligence assist.
New Chip
The second-generation HomePod mini is extremely prone to include a extra up-to-date chip for extra superior computational audio and improved responsiveness. The present HomePod mini is provided with the Apple Watch Sequence 5’s S5 chip from 2019.
Apple is prone to go for the S9 chip, which was a substantial leap ahead by way of efficiency, or one in all its derivatives such because the S10, which is a extra compact iteration of the S9. The as-yet unreleased S11 chip for the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Apple Watch Extremely 3 can also be an possibility.
The S5 chip within the HomePod mini is derived from Apple’s A12 Bionic structure however runs at decrease clock speeds and is tuned for always-on, low-power operation, making it well-suited for duties like Siri processing and real-time audio tuning. In distinction, the S9 and S10 chips are primarily based on the A13 chip, providing increased CPU and GPU efficiency, a extra superior Neural Engine, and better effectivity per watt.
Customized Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Chip
The brand new HomePod mini can be geared up with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, in response to Gurman.
The chip will apparently assist Wi-Fi 6E, which is far quicker and has decrease latency in comparison with the present HomePod mini’s Wi-Fi 4 connectivity. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band, enabling quicker wi-fi speeds and diminished sign interference with a suitable router.
Second-Era Extremely Wideband Chip
Apple may carry its second-generation Extremely Wideband chip to the HomePod mini for a extra dependable and lower-latency Handoff expertise. The chip debuted in 2023’s iPhone 15 lineup.
If current, the chip ought to enable way more exact spatial consciousness than the present mannequin, permitting it to detect the precise place and orientation of close by gadgets inside a couple of centimeters. It may additionally allow novel new options corresponding to auto-adjustment of two stereo paired HomePod minis when one is moved.
Improved Sound High quality
The present HomePod mini makes use of a single full-range driver powered by a neodymium magnet, paired with two passive radiators. The motive force is positioned to fireside sound downward into an acoustic waveguide that directs audio 360 levels.
The waveguide and customized suspension system cut back distortion, whereas a three-microphone array listens for Siri instructions, and a fourth inward-facing mic helps cancel out sound from the speaker so voice pickup stays clear even at excessive volumes.
Apple may enhance the HomePod mini’s audio {hardware} by including a second energetic driver for stereo separation, upgrading the full-range driver to a higher-excursion design for higher low-end and readability, and utilizing bigger or further passive radiators. It may additionally refine the waveguide to enhance sound high quality or incorporate higher-quality supplies to reinforce accuracy.
New Colour Choices
New coloration choices are additionally extremely doubtless, however particular finishes aren’t but identified. The present HomePod mini is available in Blue, Yellow, Midnight, Orange, and White.
Launch Date
In January, Gurman reported that Apple was aiming to launch a brand new HomePod mini “towards the tip of the 12 months.” If that timeframe stays correct, the second-generation HomePod mini may arrive anyplace from September to December 2025.