Apple's HomePod mini 2 is here to challenge Google Home Speaker

It’s been six years since the debut of the original HomePod mini. As Apple makes its latest attempt at establishing itself in the smart home market, it only makes sense that the company is giving the Google Home Speaker alternative a refresh. Today, Apple has introduced us to the second generation of its smart speaker, the HomePod mini 2.

At first glance, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the first-generation and second-generation models. That’s because Apple chose to play it safe and stick with the same design. However, one notable difference is the introduction of “Sound Glow,” which transforms the top area into a light show that reacts to bass and treble in real time and matches the color to a song’s album artwork. The other way you’ll be able to differentiate the two is that the HomePod Mini 2 comes in two new colors: pink and green.

A key addition to the new smart speaker is support for a multi-speaker setup. Powered by Apple’s S10 chip (the same chip used for the Apple Watch Series 10 and 11, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3), the HomePod mini 2 can be used to create a four-speaker surround sound experience when paired with an Apple TV 4K. According to the tech giant, the speakers and the new Apple TV 4K can recognize their positions in a room, and they’ll automatically adjust audio timing and levels accordingly.

You’ll be able to connect these speakers to more than just the Apple TV 4K. For example, you’ll be able to use the HomePod mini 2 as speakers for your Mac.

On the software side, the experience has been enhanced with Siri AI, built with Apple’s latest Foundation Models. This updated assistant leans on Apple Intelligence-enabled devices to access a user’s personal context, which can be used to tap into iPhone and iPad apps for completing tasks, setting reminders tied to a calendar event, or finding a recipe from an email. The speaker can also recognize up to six users in a household by their voice.

Like the Apple HomeView, pre-orders for the HomePod mini 2 are opening up today. It is priced at $149 and you’ll be able to find it on Apple’s website and in the Apple Store app. The HomePod mini 2 is available in five colors: pink, green, blue, white, and midnight. General availability begins on October 30, 2026.