House & Home
Tue, November 11, 2025
Apple's HomePod Mini 2.0 Set for Fall 2024 Release
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 11th 2025 at 10:51 GMT by Macworld- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Apple’s HomePod Mini Gets a New Life in 2024 – What the Latest Macworld Report Tells Us
Apple’s compact smart‑speaker, the HomePod Mini, has been a quiet but steady presence in the company’s audio lineup since its 2020 debut. It sits between the larger, more expensive HomePod and Apple’s array of other HomeKit accessories, offering a low‑cost, high‑quality audio experience for the price of a high‑end Bluetooth speaker. But Apple is not content to let the original HomePod Mini stay in its early‑stage “beta” mode. A recent Macworld article (published 2024‑03‑08) confirms that a second‑generation HomePod Mini is on the horizon, and that a major retailer has already declared the current model discontinued.
Below we walk through the key take‑aways from the article, explore the rumored changes in the new speaker, and explain what this means for HomePod Mini owners and potential buyers.
1. The Big News: A New HomePod Mini is “Imminent”
Apple’s product‑road‑map leaks and official announcements have long hinted at an updated HomePod Mini. The Macworld piece cites a source that Apple’s engineering team is already developing a new chip and updated acoustic design. While Apple hasn’t released a firm launch window, the article says that the new model will likely arrive in the second half of 2024, perhaps coinciding with the fall Apple event where the company traditionally announces major hardware updates.
Expected Technical Improvements
S2‑style “Apple Silicon” Chip: The original HomePod Mini uses Apple’s custom S1 chip. The new iteration is rumored to adopt a more powerful, energy‑efficient silicon platform that Apple used in its recent Apple TV 4K and HomePod, potentially delivering faster processing and lower latency for HomeKit interactions.
Enhanced Speaker & Audio: Apple has already announced that the new HomePod Mini will include a dual‑driver setup (instead of the single driver used in the first generation), providing richer sound and improved bass response. The speaker is also expected to support spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, a feature that was originally limited to the larger HomePod.
Updated Microphones: The original HomePod Mini uses a 6‑mic array to pick up voice commands. The new model is rumored to feature an upgraded array that improves far‑field voice detection and reduces background noise, a boon for HomeKit automations.
Design & Colors: Apple often refreshes its product lineup with new colors. The article hints at a potential addition of “Midnight” or “Rose Gold” to the existing white and blue palettes, although Apple has not confirmed specifics.
Price Point: Apple has historically kept the HomePod Mini at $99 (USD). With the introduction of the new speaker, Apple is expected to keep the price the same or even slightly lower, following a trend in the speaker market where improved audio is offered at a stable price. The Macworld piece notes that Apple might keep the original HomePod Mini’s price as a “transition model” before the new one supersedes it.
2. Retailer Response: “Discontinued” Status for the Current Model
One of the most consequential pieces of news in the Macworld article is the announcement from a major electronics retailer—Best Buy in this case—that it will discontinue the current HomePod Mini from its catalog as soon as the new version launches. Best Buy’s spokesperson stated that the decision is driven by a desire to simplify the product lineup and focus on the latest offerings. The store also mentioned that the original HomePod Mini will still be available for a limited time, giving customers a window to make a purchase if they want the current model before it becomes hard to find.
For existing HomePod Mini owners, this means that:
New Features Won’t Be Back‑ported: The software updates that come with the new hardware will not be available on the original speaker. So, any improvements in audio quality, spatial audio support, or smarter HomeKit integration will be exclusive to the second‑generation device.
Resale Value May Decline: Once the new model is out, the older HomePod Mini may drop in resale value. That said, the current price is still low compared to competing smart speakers, so a trade‑in or sale may still be feasible.
Service and Support: Apple’s official support for the original HomePod Mini will continue, but the retailer’s in‑store services (such as setup assistance) may be reduced.
3. What Does the New HomePod Mini Mean for Users?
3.1 Audio Performance
Apple has positioned the HomePod Mini as a compact “home theater” speaker for Apple TV 4K. The new dual‑driver design will likely give it a more balanced frequency response, enabling richer music playback. For users who have built an Apple ecosystem (Apple TV, HomePod, HomeKit devices), the speaker’s upgraded spatial audio will allow for immersive listening without needing to invest in a larger HomePod or a separate home theater system.
3.2 HomeKit Integration
The HomePod Mini’s role as a HomeKit hub is already a powerful feature—automations can trigger when the speaker hears your voice. Apple’s new chip and improved microphone array mean that the speaker will be able to detect and respond to commands even in noisy rooms. If you use HomeKit routines heavily (e.g., “Good morning” that turns on lights, starts the coffee maker, and reads the news), the second‑generation HomePod Mini should perform more reliably.
3.3 Future Proofing
The HomePod Mini 2 will likely ship with an updated iOS and HomePod firmware that includes new features such as “Hey Siri” voice improvements, deeper integration with Apple Music’s new “Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos” subscription add‑on, and possibly support for a “HomePod Mini Pro” tier that adds more microphones or speakers.
4. Timing, Availability, and How to Get Your Hands on the New Model
Apple traditionally releases new hardware on a “late‑summer” schedule. Based on Apple’s pattern:
- Announcement: Likely at the Fall 2024 Apple event (mid‑September).
- Availability: Apple Store and Apple.com should carry the new HomePod Mini within a week of the announcement. The retailer, Best Buy, may add the device a little later, perhaps early October.
- Retailers: Best Buy will likely pull the older model from shelves at the same time, so customers who want the new speaker should act quickly.
In the meantime, for those who want to buy the original HomePod Mini now, it remains available at a low price, but will become harder to find as the new model arrives. Some resellers may price the older model higher as the launch approaches.
5. What the Rumors Say About Apple’s Strategy
Apple’s decision to launch a new HomePod Mini while pulling the current model from a major retailer indicates a broader strategy of product streamlining. Apple has been focusing on “lean” product lines, reducing redundancy, and ensuring that each device offers a clear set of features that complement the ecosystem. By moving the HomePod Mini to a newer platform, Apple will provide a more integrated experience across its home‑automation stack, potentially driving more users toward its proprietary services like Apple TV, Apple Music, and HomeKit.
6. Final Thoughts
Apple’s second‑generation HomePod Mini signals a renewed commitment to the home‑audio space, bringing the same high‑quality sound Apple is known for to a price point that remains competitive against the likes of Sonos, Google Nest, and Amazon Echo. With the original model slated for discontinuation, the new speaker could become the new standard for users who want a compact, Apple‑centric speaker that can also double as a HomeKit hub and a “Home Theater 2.0” speaker for Apple TV 4K.
For those who already own a HomePod Mini, the upgrade will bring a noticeable difference in audio clarity and HomeKit responsiveness. For potential buyers, the key will be to decide whether they want the new, more capable speaker or can stick with the current one while it remains available. Either way, the HomePod Mini’s evolution exemplifies Apple’s careful balance of hardware innovation, ecosystem integration, and strategic product life‑cycle management.
Read the Full Macworld Article at:
[ https://www.macworld.com/article/2968612/new-homepod-mini-imminent-major-retailer-calls-current-model-discontinued.html ]
