Apple’s second-generation HomePod Mini costs $149 and arrives six years after the original. The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy spent a couple of days with two units in her home office. Her verdict is more positive than she expected.
The spec sheet looked thin at first. Apple added a faster chip, new color options, and better AirPlay support. The company did not upgrade the sound system at all. At $50 more than the $99 first-generation model, that felt like a modest update.
In daily use, the speed difference is obvious. The Mini 2 starts playing music in a few seconds. It answers smart home commands just as quickly. Anyone who has stood over an older HomePod waiting for a response will notice the change immediately.
That responsiveness is the strongest argument for upgrading. Tuohy writes that the improvement alone is worth the cost for frustrated first-generation owners. The new finish also earns praise. She calls the green model gorgeous.
Siri itself is noticeably better, even without the promised AI overhaul. The basic assistant responds in under three seconds on most requests. It is also less chatty, offering shorter answers instead of long explanations nobody asked for.
The headline feature is Siri AI, and it is not here yet. Apple says the upgraded assistant will arrive later through a software update. Buyers are paying for hardware that cannot yet do the thing Apple advertised most loudly.
Tuohy found one clear disappointment. The upgraded Mac speaker feature, which lets the Mini 2 act as a speaker for a Mac, did not work during her testing. That feature was one of the main selling points for desk setups.
The Mini 2 sits in an awkward spot. It is a solid smart home hub with faster hardware and quicker voice responses. It is also a product waiting on software to justify its price. Apple has promised features on stage before and shipped them months later.
For buyers who mainly want reliable music playback and quick voice commands, the Mini 2 delivers today. For anyone excited about the new Siri, the advice is simple. Wait for the update, then decide.
Source: The Verge — HomePod Mini 2 first look
Related: Apple Opens Its New Siri AI to Everyone With the iOS 27 Public Beta
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