Apple announced HomePod mini 2 on October 13, priced at $149 (U.S.) in five colors: pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Pre-orders are open, with availability in stores beginning Friday, October 30. Notably, the headline Siri AI features are not included at launch; Apple says they arrive later as a free software update.
HomePod mini 2 runs on Apple's S10 chip with computational audio that analyzes music in real time to optimize dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance. It works as a single speaker, in a stereo pair or in multiroom audio, and when paired with the new Apple TV 4K it supports four-speaker surround sound, which Apple calls its most immersive home theater setup yet. These are Apple performance claims, not independent audio measurements.
A new Sound Glow feature turns the speaker's top surface into a light display that glows and pulses in sync with music, reacting to bass and treble, with colors generated from the playing song's album artwork. Apple's footnotes say voice control of Sound Glow requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running the latest software, so part of the demoed experience depends on owning a separate recent device.
On Siri AI: Apple says the more conversational assistant with personal-context understanding and broader world knowledge will be available in English via a future software update in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK, and will not be initially available in the EU. Buyers purchasing at the October 30 launch are buying hardware whose signature software feature has no dated arrival.
For the connected home, Apple says HomePod mini 2 can control compatible accessories and run automations by voice, and its Sound Recognition can listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds. Apple's own footnote warns Sound Recognition should not be relied upon where users may be harmed or in high-risk or emergency situations, and it requires the updated Home architecture.
As with any launch announcement, audio quality, assistant reliability and smart-home performance claims come from the manufacturer. The $149 price is U.S. pricing, international prices and dates can differ, and several advertised capabilities depend on other Apple devices, subscriptions or later software updates.