MacRumors and 9to5Mac report that Apple plans to unveil a second-generation HomePod mini at its "Welcome home" event on Tuesday, October 13. Apple confirmed the event on October 8; 9to5Mac says the product details are reported, not announced. The date and lineup trace to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reported on Sept 30 that Apple was preparing a smart home hub, a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K, as relayed by MacRumors and 9to5Mac. Treat the HomePod mini details as unconfirmed until Apple announces.

What the reports say is changing

MacRumors says "No major design changes are expected." The rumored changes are mostly internal:

  • Chip: MacRumors says a newer chip "enables Siri AI support (at least with a nearby iPhone)" and does not name it. 9to5Mac calls it "much faster" than the S5 in the current model.
  • Wireless: MacRumors reports Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.
  • Sound: MacRumors reports "improved sound quality," without specifics.
  • Colors: MacRumors says new options "including pink and green." 9to5Mac lists pink, white, green, blue and black.
  • Price: Neither outlet gives a price for the new model. The current model is $129 on Apple's site (checked Oct 10); MacRumors says that is up from $99 after a June price increase.
  • Timing: MacRumors expects a press release on Apple Newsroom around 9 a.m. ET on October 13. We found no release date or pre-order date.

MacRumors lists the current model as "Don't Buy" in its Buyer's Guide. 9to5Mac calls the new model the HomePod mini's "first proper upgrade."

Why it matters

If the reports are right, the Oct 13 model is the one with the rumored Siri AI chip and Wi-Fi 7, so the current model would be the older hardware. The current model uses the S5 chip from the 2019 Apple Watch Series 5, per MacRumors. We do not know the price of the new one.

Should you buy now or wait

Skip Amazon Renewed units: the $149 we saw on October 10 costs more than a new one from Apple at $129.

  • Need a smart speaker this week: the current model is available, but the reports do not say it gets the rumored Siri AI features.
  • Care about Siri AI or Wi-Fi 7: waiting for the Oct 13 announcement and early reviews is the safer call.
  • Price and release date for the new model are unconfirmed.

Related coverage

Apple is also reported to be working with LG on smart-home accessories (smart lock, thermostat, doorbell, cameras), which 9to5Mac says Bloomberg expects to be months away. That is a separate story: our earlier report on the Apple and LG HomeKit leak.

What we could not confirm

We relied on the MacRumors and 9to5Mac reports and did not read the paywalled Bloomberg report or any leaker posts. Apple has not announced these products. The specs, colors, price and timing above are unconfirmed.