The HomePod mini 2 (2025) is expected to upgrade Apple’s compact smart speaker with new wireless technology, faster Siri performance, and tighter smart-home integration—all while retaining its affordable $99 price tag. But how does it compare to the original HomePod mini released in 2020? From audio quality to networking, sensors, and ecosystem support, here’s everything you need to know before deciding whether to upgrade or wait.
🎧 HomePod mini (2020 – Present)
Design & Build
- Compact sphere: 3.3″ (84 mm) high × 3.9″ (98 mm) diameter, weighing ~345 g .
- Wrapped in recycled/acoustically transparent mesh, in White, Midnight (Space Gray), Blue, Orange, and Yellow .
- Features a touch-sensitive top display with Siri waveform feedback controlled by taps or holds .
Audio & Hardware
- Provides stunning 360° sound with a downward-firing full-range driver and dual passive radiators.
- Driven by Apple’s S5 chip (shared with Watch Series 5), utilizing computational audio for on-the-fly tuning .
- Microphone array (4 mics: 3 facing outward for Siri, 1 inward-facing) allows for consistent far-field voice recording even during playback .
Connectivity & Smart‑Home Integration
- Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 5.0, Thread & Matter support, and a U1 ultra‑wideband chip for effortless Handoff from iPhones .
- Acts as a smart-home hub for HomeKit” automation and remote device control.
- Has a hidden temperature and humidity sensor that is software-activated in Jan 2023, and sound recognition for alarm alerts.
- Includes a 20 W USB‑C charging adapter, and support for standard 18 W adapters after an OS‑update.
Price & Availability
- $99 USD (roughly ₹10,900 in India), with limited-time deals for around $59–95.
Limitations
- Siri support can be spotty compared to Alexa/Google, with some reported lag.
- Doesn’t offer complete Dolby Atmos/spatial sound support—features reserved for the bigger HomePod.
🔮 Upcoming HomePod mini 2 (Expected Late 2025)
Internal Upgrades
- Will introduce Apple’s first in-house Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth chip (“Proxima”), with the addition of Wi‑Fi 6E, more stable networks, reduced latency, and future mesh-network support.
- Expects to feature a newer S-series chip (e.g., S10), enhancing audio processing and Siri performance.
- Reported upgrades to ultra-wideband features for enhanced Handoff speed.
Design & Ecosystem
- Has the same small mesh-sphere design, with possible new color options.
- Will integrate more deeply with Matter and Thread, anchoring its position as a wiser home‑hub within Apple’s homeOS ecosystem .
Release & Cost Expectation
- Due in Q3 or Q4 2025, presumably timed with Apple’s September hardware launches .
- Should maintain the $99 introduction price, with fantastic value entry into Apple’s smart-home and audio ecosystem.
📝 Summary
Audio Quality
- HomePod mini (2020) employs a full-range driver and two passive radiators with Apple’s S5 chip facilitating real-time computational audio tuning 180 times every second, providing rich, room-filling 360° sound for its small size .
- HomePod mini 2 (2025 anticipated) is expected to have a more recent S-series chip combined with improved computational audio with crisper, deeper sound and better bass and clarity .
Wireless & Networking
- The 2020 model has standard Wi‑Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0—good enough for streaming but more congested in today’s houses .
- The 2025 model should introduce Apple’s own “Proxima” chip, with Wi‑Fi 6E and improved Bluetooth, which will allow for faster speeds, reduced latency, and possibly mesh-network capabilities .
Smart-Home Integration
- Both models have Matter and Thread support, acting as HomeKit smart-home controllers.
- HomePod mini 2 will likely further integrate with Apple’s developing homeOS ecosystem, providing even more streamlined automation and control.
Ultra-Wideband (U1)
- The first-gen mini has a U1 chip for handoff, but its capability is still at first-generation level.
- The next-gen model could have a second-generation U1 chip, allowing faster, more consistent handoff functionality.
Sensors
- The 2020 HomePod mini features integrated temperature, humidity, and sound-recognition sensors, helpful for automations and safety notifications.
- The 2025 version will probably include these sensors, supplemented by improved data processing through the new internal chip.
Design & Color Options
- HomePod mini (2020) has a small mesh-sphere form factor, initially in White and Space Gray, later also available in Blue, Orange, and Yellow. Space Gray was updated to Midnight in 2024 .
- HomePod mini 2 is predicted to have the same shape factor while potentially adding new finishes or color variations.
Release Timing
- The first mini came out in late 2020.
- Analysts predict HomePod mini 2 will ship in Q3–Q4 2025, probably along with other Apple fall hardware .
Pricing
- The first one is $99 USD and is one of the cheapest smart-home hubs.
- The second-generation model will maintain the same $99 price tag, keeping up Apple’s value positioning.
✅ Final Verdict
The HomePod mini continues to be an attractive smart speaker owing to its voluminous sound, solid Siri + HomeKit/Matter support, smart-home hub capabilities, and budget-friendly price tag. If waiting is possible, the HomePod mini 2 promises to bring substantial connectivity enhancements (Wi-Fi 6E, Proxima chip), smarter processing, and more integrated smart-home features—all for the same price, making it a great value for future-proofing your setup.
