Apple prices HomePod mini 2 at $149
Apple's second-generation compact speaker goes on sale October 30, with the updated Siri AI still unfinished. The assistant is planned for a free software update after launch. On day one, buyers get Sound Glow lighting and expanded audio options. Apple announced the HomePod mini 2 on October 13, 2026, and says it supports HomePod software 27.2.
Pre-orders opened October 13. The speaker costs $149 in the U.S. In Germany, the price is €169. France, Italy and Spain get the same price. Apple says the speaker will be available in more than 23 countries and regions. In China, it costs 1,099 yuan; in Taiwan, NT$4,790.
Sound Glow is the visible change
The new speaker keeps the original HomePod mini's spherical, fabric-covered design and touch panel. It measures 84.3 mm tall and 97.9 mm in diameter, weighs 335 grams, and uses Apple's S10 processor to adjust audio in real time. Apple says the chip analyzes music, then adjusts dynamic range and volume to suit the speaker's acoustic characteristics.
Sound Glow makes the top panel pulse with music, responding to low and high frequencies. Its colors match the album art. Lighting animations can also accompany background sounds such as rain. Voice control of the lighting requires an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone.
A full-range driver works with two passive radiators. A custom waveguide helps deliver 360-degree sound. Three microphones handle voice control. The speaker comes in five colors. White and pink are available, alongside green and blue. Midnight rounds out the palette.
Surround sound and smart-home control
HomePod mini 2 supports single-speaker playback and stereo pairs. AirPlay multi-room audio is also available. With a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, four speakers can form a surround sound setup. That means two matched pairs of HomePod mini 2 units or second-generation HomePod units, positioned at the front and rear. The system detects speaker placement, then adjusts latency and volume.
A single speaker or stereo pair can also serve as a Mac's primary audio system. The feature works for movies and video calls, including FaceTime, and for games. It requires a Mac with Wi-Fi 6E or newer.
Apple's wider hardware push has also included coverage of its thin iPhone plans. For the HomePod mini 2, the practical upgrade combines room audio with home control. It supports Matter and HomeKit devices. Thread and Wi-Fi 6E are supported too, alongside Bluetooth 6 and Ultra Wideband. The speaker includes temperature and humidity sensors. Apple's HomePod mini announcement describes the four-speaker Apple TV setup and the speaker's audio options.
The speaker can control compatible lights and locks. It also works with thermostats. It can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds, then send notifications to an iPhone. Notifications can also go to an iPad or Apple Watch. Apple cautions that Sound Recognition is not a replacement for a dedicated security system. HomeKit Secure Video cameras and doorbells are supported. When facial recognition is enabled, Siri can announce a visitor.
Siri AI comes later
Built on Apple Foundation Models, the updated Siri is designed to handle more natural dialogue. It can answer questions using internet information and carry out complex requests. Siri can recognize six users. When a compatible iPhone or iPad is present, it can use their personal data for tasks such as finding a song mentioned in a message. It can also create a reminder from a calendar event or add recipe ingredients to a shopping list.
Personalized requests require a device with Apple Intelligence. Once the homeowner activates Siri AI, other household members can use its general capabilities without their own compatible iPhone or iPad. Apple says processing combines on-device computation with Private Cloud Compute. The company says user data is not stored or made accessible to Apple during cloud processing.
At launch, Siri AI will be limited to English in the U.S. and U.K. Canada and Australia are also on the list, along with India and New Zealand. Singapore and South Africa round out the initial markets. EU countries are not included, and Apple has provided no date for broader access. HomePod mini 2 launches with HomePod software 27.2. Its five colors are white and pink, green and blue, plus midnight. The box includes a power cable and a 20W USB-C power adapter. Apple's Taiwan product announcement details the S10 audio processing and 360-degree sound. Its China announcement lists the regional price and October 30 retail date.
