Almost six years have passed since the first release of the Apple HomePod mini, and it is finally set to receive an update. Latest reports indicate that the second-generation HomePod mini could be unveiled as early as this fall, and the delay in updating the product was due to waiting for the maturity of the next generation of Siri. In fact, this is not only the case with the HomePod mini. The new Apple TV 4K, full-size HomePod, and even smart home display devices have also been delayed due to the progress of Apple's AI development. This reflects that AI capabilities have become a key constraint in Apple's hardware iteration, and the software's maturity directly determines the pace of hardware releases.
The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip, which first appeared with the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019. In the speaker, this processor mainly handles audio computing and dynamically adjusts sound based on the environment. The second-generation model is expected to use a more powerful processor, and previous rumors suggested it might be the S9 or higher specifications. Although the latest rumors do not specify the exact model, it has been confirmed that the new speaker will feature a faster chip to support local AI computation needs of the new Siri. From the S5 chip to the new chip, the increase in computing power is precisely to enable this small speaker to truly "understand" and "think."
UWB and Audio Quality Both Upgraded
In terms of connectivity, the current model includes a U1 chip, which enables convenient interactions such as device handoff when near an iPhone. Upgrading to more advanced UWB (Ultra-Wideband) hardware is expected to further improve the speed of device identification and response, making cross-device collaboration more accurate and smooth. Additionally, there are reports that the HomePod mini 2 will also offer better audio performance, but specific details about the speaker units, microphone arrays, and acoustic structures have not been disclosed yet.
For Apple, the significance of the HomePod mini 2 goes far beyond a regular update of a speaker. At this critical juncture when Siri is being reshaped by AI, this entry-level smart speaker will serve as an important access point to test Apple's edge AI experience. Whether it can change the reputation of "the weakest voice assistant" with the new chip will be clear this autumn.
