HomePod Mini
This article needs more citations. (March 2021) |
| Developer | Apple |
|---|---|
Product family | HomePod |
| Type | Smart speaker |
| Released | November 16, 2020 |
Introductory price | US$99[a] |
| Original: audioOS 14.2 (18K60) Current: audioOS 26.4 (23L243) | |
| Apple S5 | |
| Memory | 1 GB (LPDDR4X) |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | LED matrix (19 RGB LEDs) |
| Sound | 1 full-range speaker |
| Input | Touch screen, voice commands via Siri |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, UWB |
| Power | 18 W |
| Dimensions | 3.3 × 3.9 in (84 × 99 mm) |
| Weight | 0.76 lb (0.34 kg) |
| Related | HomePod (second generation) |
| Website | apple.com/homepod-mini |
The HomePod Mini (stylized as HomePod mini) is a smart speaker developed by Apple. It utilizes Apple's Siri digital assistant. It was released on November 16, 2020 as a smaller and less expensive version of Apple's HomePod.
Overview
[edit]The HomePod Mini is based on the Apple S5 system in a package also used for the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE. It improves Continuity and Handoff integration, enables Siri to recognize up to six people's voices and personalizing responses to each one, and adds the Intercom feature — also available on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches — enabling users with more than one HomePod to communicate with each other in different rooms.[2] It requires an iPhone or iPad in order to run set up; it cannot be installed from a Mac.[3]
The HomePod mini has a single full-range speaker, which uses two passive radiators and a waveguide to shape the sound.[4]
HomePod Mini's wireless capabilities include 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and an ultra-wideband chip for device proximity and AirPlay Handoff.[5] It is compatible with devices running iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later. tvOS 15 allows the Apple TV to use HomePod Mini as a speaker, supporting a stereo pair.[6]
HomePod Mini supports the Thread network protocol, supported by the Connected Home over IP working group. It can be used to control Apple Home devices and can function as a home hub, allowing it to control appliances remotely, grant guest access, and set up automations.[7]
It has a non-detachable USB-C cable and comes with a 20W power adapter.[8] With the release of audioOS 14.3 in late 2020, HomePod Mini gained support for 18W power adapters, which made it compatible with third-party adapters and portable power banks.[9]
It is designed to operate at temperatures from 32° to 95 °F (0° to 35 °C); at relative humidity between 5% and 90% (noncondensing); and at altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3000 m). Following its launch, teardowns found a temperature and humidity sensor that was unannounced by Apple.[10] Humidity and temperature sensing was activated following the 16.3 software update in January 2023, after these sensors were added to the second-generation full-sized HomePod.[11]
On October 18, 2021, Apple announced that the existing gray and white options would be joined by blue, orange, and yellow versions. The new colors have a tinted touch display that is a lighter hue of the body color, and the braided cable is also colored accordingly. On July 15, 2024, Apple discontinued the space gray option and replaced it with a midnight color.[12]
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. price of the HomePod Mini was increased to $129, due to component price increases caused by the global RAM and SSD shortage.[13]
Sales
[edit]Apple sold an estimated 4.6 million smart speakers in Q4 2020, representing sales of both the HomePod Mini and original HomePod.[14] The HomePod Mini sold an estimated 2.18 million units in Q1 2021, representing 91% of Apple's smart speaker sales, along with the original HomePod.[15] It sold an estimated 2.5 million units worldwide in Q2 2021, and 4 million units in Q3.[16][17] It sold an estimated 4.5 million units in Q1 2022 and was the top selling individual smart speaker.[18]
Operating system
[edit]The HomePod runs HomePod Software, internally known as audioOS, a forked version of tvOS.[19] It was launched alongside the release of the original HomePod, released on February 9, 2018. Though it was initially a fork of iOS,[20] since version 13.4 in 2020, it has been a fork of tvOS.[21] Software updates are installed automatically over-the-air, but can also be installed manually through the Home app.[22] audioOS's main user-facing features are AirPlay 2 and Siri.
In 2021, an Apple job listing referenced a non-existent "homeOS" operating system, echoing previous Bloomberg leaks about possible future Apple products for the living room that would merge the Apple TV and HomePod.[23][24][25]
Comparison with other models
[edit]| Discontinued, supported | Current |
| Models | 1st generation[26] | 2nd generation | Mini[27][28] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release date(s) | February 9, 2018 | February 3, 2023 | November 16, 2020 |
| Discontinued | March 12, 2021 | In production | In production |
| Initial OS | audioOS 11 | audioOS 16 | audioOS 14 |
| Latest OS | audioOS 26 | ||
| Hardware string | AudioAccessory1,1 | AudioAccessory6,1 | AudioAccessory5,1 |
| Model number | A1639 | A2825 | A2374 |
| System on a chip/package | Apple A8 | Apple S7 | Apple S5 |
| Speakers | 7 tweeters | 5 tweeters | 1 full-range driver, 2 passive radiators |
| 4-inch (10 cm) woofer | |||
| Microphones | 6 | 4 | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 4 | |
| Bluetooth 5 | |||
| N/a | Thread | ||
| N/a | Ultra-wideband (Apple U1) | ||
| Sensors | Accelerometer | ||
| N/a | Humidity and temperature | ||
| Sound recognition | |||
| Dimensions | 6.8 in × 5.6 in (170 mm × 140 mm) |
6.6 in × 5.6 in (168 mm × 140 mm) |
3.3 in × 3.9 in (84 mm × 99 mm) |
| Weight | 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) | 5.16 lb (2.3 kg) | 0.76 lb (0.34 kg) |
| Colors | Space Gray, White |
Midnight, White |
Space Gray (discontinued), Blue, White, Yellow, Orange, Midnight |
| Power | Built-in power supply, captive cable[29] | Built-in power supply, detachable cable | External 20 W USB-C power adapter, captive cable |
| Introductory price | US$349 | US$299 | US$99 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Charlton, Hartley (2026-06-25). "Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More". MacRumors. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
- ↑ "HomePod mini". Apple. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
- ↑ "Set up HomePod or HomePod mini". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
iFixIt miniwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ↑ "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications - Apple". Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ↑ "What's new in tvOS 15 for Apple TV". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ↑ "Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ↑ Nugroho, Prayudi Satriyo (2021-03-14). "How much power does the HomePod mini actually draw?". Medium. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
- ↑ Miller, Chance (2020-12-28). "HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ↑ "Apple's HomePod Mini Has a Secret Sensor Waiting to Be Switched On". Bloomberg.com. 2021-03-22. Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
- ↑ "How to Use the Temperature and Humidity Sensors on HomePod and HomePod Mini". MacRumors. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ↑ "Apple introduces HomePod mini in midnight". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
- ↑ Rossignol, Joe (2026-06-25). "Apple TV and HomePod Just Went Up in Price Amid Wait for New Models". MacRumors. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
- ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Sales Cross 150 Million Units for 2020 Following Robust Q4 Demand". www.businesswire.com. 2021-03-03. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ↑ "Apple Is Still Struggling to Unload Its Launch Day HomePods". Gizmodo. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ↑ Lovejoy, Ben (2021-07-29). "HomePod sales get 180% boost, but a new model 'may be needed'". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Another Record Quarter for Smart Speakers in 3Q21, Though Supply Chain Woes are on the Horizon". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ↑ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Shipments Declined 5% in 1Q22 Amid Disruption from War and a Resurgent COVID Virus". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ↑ "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ↑ "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ↑ Espósito, Filipe (13 April 2020). "HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ↑ Keller, Joseph (14 March 2022). "How to install software updates for your HomePod or HomePod mini". iMore.
- ↑ "Apple Once Again Refers to Unreleased 'homeOS' in Job Listing [Removed]". MacRumors. November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ↑ Axon, Samuel (2021-06-02). "Apple's "homeOS" slip fits with prior rumors about new smart home products". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ↑ "Apple to Expand Smart-Home Lineup, Taking On Amazon and Google". Bloomberg.com. 2023-01-18. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ↑ "HomePod - Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ↑ "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications". Apple. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ↑ "HomePod Mini: Round, Full of Sound, and Now Torn Down | iFixit News". iFixit. 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ↑ "HomePod Teardown". iFixit. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-03.