We’ve heard speculation that Apple will announce the HomePod mini 2 soon. We’ve got the rumors and theories about when the next-generation HomePod mini could be coming and what its upgrades could be.

When Could the HomePod Mini 2 Be Released?

The HomePod mini 2 hasn’t been officially announced, but a release seems likely this year.

Here’s why the rumors are growing:

• Apple’s previous release schedule for the HomePod and HomePod 2 puts the cadence at about every four years. If Apple continues this pattern, the second-generation HomePod Mini would be announced this year.
• Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the HomePod Mini 2 would start shipments by the third quarter of 2025. If so, the next-generation HomePod Mini could be announced after the next Apple Event in September, along with the release of the iPhone 17.
• Another analyst, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, also provided a more concrete timeline in his January Power On newsletter. Gurman says that Apple has its sights set on releasing the newest HomePod Mini toward the end of 2025.

Is Apple Even Considering the Release of Any Kind of Speaker?

Though we’ve heard nothing official about a second-generation HomePod mini, we’ve seen chatter that points to a new iteration with some major hardware upgrades and minimal design changes.

Bloomberg reported that Apple’s developing its own wireless chip, which would make its way not only to the HomePod mini 2 but also to the next-generation Apple TV.

Our Thoughts on Potential HomePod Mini 2 Features

While Apple has yet to announce specific updates, we have heard some speculation.

• New color options: The current HomePod mini comes in five colors: white, midnight, yellow, orange, and blue. An easy update to the next-generation HomePod mini would be even more options.
• An upgraded chip: This is another area where the HomePod mini can receive an upgrade. The Apple Watch Series 5 came out about a year before the HomePod mini, and both have the S5 Chip. The Apple Watch Series 10 launched with an S10 chip, and some outlets and analysts believe the HomePod mini 2 will as well.
• Wi-Fi 6E support: The predicted Apple-developed wireless chip would bring the Wi-Fi 6E wireless standard, featured in many Apple products since 2022, to the HomePod mini 2. This upgrade would make download/upload information faster, improved Siri performance, and increased range for more flexibility with where to put the device in your home.
• Better audio: Apple’s technology has advanced since the HomePod mini was released, so it should have better audio performance.
• A physical mute button: There’s some speculation that the second-generation HomePod mini might finally add a mute button. The device is not supposed to record anything unless you wake it by saying, “Hey Siri.” and you can put it to sleep by saying, “Hey Siri, stop listening,” However, a physical button may give users better peace of mind by making the mute function more active.