The HomePod Mini (stylized as HomePod mini) is a smart speaker developed by Apple Inc. The HomePod Mini uses Apple Siri System it was released on November 16, 2020. Roughly a 10 cm sphere, it was released as a smaller and less expensive version of Apple's HomePod.

HomePod mini
DeveloperApple Inc.
Product familyHomePod
TypeSmart speaker
Release date
November 16, 2020
(4 years ago)
 (2020-11-16)
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Japan
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
November 24, 2020
(3 years ago)
 (2020-11-24)
  • Mexico
  • Taiwan
December 11, 2020
(3 years ago)
 (2020-12-11)
  • Mainland China
June 15, 2021
(3 years ago)
 (2021-06-15)
  • Austria
  • Ireland
June 22, 2021
(3 years ago)
 (2021-06-22)
  • New Zealand
November 23, 2021
(2 years ago)
 (2021-11-23)
  • Italy
March 25, 2022
(2 years ago)
 (2022-03-25)
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
December 13, 2022
(23 months ago)
 (2022-12-13)
  • Finland
  • Sweden
  • Norway
December 19, 2022
(23 months ago)
 (2022-12-19)
  • South Africa[1]
April 6, 2022
(2 years ago)
 (2022-04-06)
  • Singapore
May 4, 2023
(18 months ago)
 (2023-05-04)
  • Denmark
May 10, 2024
(6 months ago)
 (2024-05-10)
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
Introductory priceUSD $99

CAD $129
AUD $149
GBP £99
EU €99

HKD $759
Operating systemOriginal: audioOS 14.2 (18K60)
Current: audioOS 17.6 (21M71)
System on a chipApple S5
Memory1 GB (LPDDR4X)
Storage32 GB
DisplayLED matrix (19 RGB LEDs)
Sound1 full-range driver, 2 passive radiators, 4 microphones
InputTouch screen, voice commands via Siri
Connectivity802.11a/b/g/n Wi‑Fi with SISO
Bluetooth 5.0
Thread
UWB
Direct peer-to-peer access:[2]
iOS: iPhone SE, iPhone 6S or later, or iPod Touch (7th generation) with the latest iOS version;
iPadOS: iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation) or later, iPad Air 2 or later, or iPad Mini 4 or later with the latest iPadOS version
Power20 W[3]
Dimensions3.3 in × 3.9 in (84 mm × 99 mm)
Mass0.76 lb (0.34 kg)
RelatedHomePod (second generation)
Websiteapple.com/homepod-mini

Overview

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The HomePod Mini is based on the Apple S5 system in a package also used for the Apple Watch Series 5 and SE. It improves Continuity and Handoff integration, enables Siri to recognize up to six people's voices and personalizing responses to each one, and adds the Intercom feature — also available on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches — enabling users with more than one HomePod to communicate with each other in different rooms.[4]

HomePod Mini's wireless capabilities include 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and an ultra-wideband chip for device proximity and AirPlay Handoff. It supports the Thread network protocol, supported by the Connected Home over IP working group.[2] It is compatible with devices running iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later. tvOS 15 allows the Apple TV to use HomePod Mini as a speaker, supporting a stereo pair.[5]

It has a non-detachable USB-C cable and comes with a 20W power adapter. With the release of audioOS 14.3 in late 2020, HomePod Mini gained support for 18W power adapters, which made it compatible with third-party adapters and portable power banks.[6]

It is designed to operate at temperatures from 32° to 95 °F (0° to 35 °C); at relative humidity between 5% and 90% (noncondensing); and at altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3000 m). Following its launch, teardowns found a temperature and humidity sensor that was unannounced by Apple.[7] Humidity and temperature sensing was activated following the 16.3 software update in January 2023, after these sensors were added to the second-generation full-sized HomePod.[8]

On October 18, 2021, Apple announced that the existing gray and white options would be joined by blue, orange, and yellow versions. The new colors have a tinted touch display that is a lighter hue of the body color, and the braided cable is also colored accordingly. On July 15, 2024, Apple discontinued the space gray option and replaced it with a midnight color.[9]

Sales

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Apple sold an estimated 4.6 million smart speakers in Q4 2020, representing sales of both the HomePod mini and original HomePod.[10] The HomePod Mini sold an estimated 2.18 million units in Q1 2021, representing 91% of Apple's smart speaker sales, along with the original HomePod.[11] It sold an estimated 2.5 million units worldwide in Q2 2021, and 4 million units in Q3.[12][13] It sold an estimated 4.5 million units in Q1 2022 and was the top selling individual smart speaker.[14]

Operating system

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Comparison with other models

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Discontinued Current
Models HomePod
(1st gen)[15]
HomePod
(2nd gen)
HomePod Mini[16][17]
Release date(s) February 9, 2018 February 3, 2023 November 16, 2020
Discontinued March 12, 2021 - July 15, 2024 (space gray)
Latest audioOS supported audioOS 18
Model number AudioAccessory1,1 (A1639) AudioAccessory6,1 (A2825) AudioAccessory5,1 (A2374)
System on a chip/package Apple A8 Apple S7 Apple S5
Speakers 7 tweeters 5 tweeters 1 full-range driver, 2 passive radiators
4-inch (10 cm) woofer -
Microphones 6 microphones 4 microphones
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO Wi-Fi 802.11n with MIMO
Bluetooth 5
- Thread
- Ultra-wideband (Apple U1)
Sensors Accelerometer
- Humidity and temperature
Sound recognition
Dimensions 6.8 in × 5.6 in
(170 mm × 140 mm)
6.6 in × 5.6 in
(168 mm × 140 mm)
3.3 in × 3.9 in
(84 mm × 99 mm)
Weight 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) 5.16 lb (2.3 kg) 0.76 lb (0.34 kg)
Colors   Space Gray,
  White
  Midnight,
  White
  Space Gray (discontinued),   Blue,
  White,   Yellow,
  Orange,   Midnight
Power Built-in power supply, power cable not officially user-detachable[18] Built-in power supply, detachable power cable with IEC 60320 C7/C8 connector External 20 W power adapter (compatible with 18 W power adapters since software 14.3),[19] non-detachable power cable from device with USB-C end
$US list price on launch $349 $299 $99


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "HomePod mini is available starting this month". Apple. 2022-12-06. Archived from the original on 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  2. ^ a b "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications - Apple". Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  3. ^ Nugroho, Prayudi Satriyo (2021-03-14). "How much power does the HomePod mini actually draw?". Medium. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  4. ^ "HomePod mini". Apple. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  5. ^ "What's new in tvOS 15 for Apple TV". Apple Support. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  6. ^ Miller, Chance (2020-12-28). "HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  7. ^ "Apple's HomePod Mini Has a Secret Sensor Waiting to Be Switched On". Bloomberg.com. 2021-03-22. Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  8. ^ "How to Use the Temperature and Humidity Sensors on HomePod and HomePod Mini". MacRumors. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  9. ^ "Apple introduces HomePod mini in midnight". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  10. ^ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Sales Cross 150 Million Units for 2020 Following Robust Q4 Demand". www.businesswire.com. 2021-03-03. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  11. ^ "Apple Is Still Struggling to Unload Its Launch Day HomePods". Gizmodo. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  12. ^ Lovejoy, Ben (2021-07-29). "HomePod sales get 180% boost, but a new model 'may be needed'". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  13. ^ "Strategy Analytics: Another Record Quarter for Smart Speakers in 3Q21, Though Supply Chain Woes are on the Horizon". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  14. ^ "Strategy Analytics: Global Smart Speaker Shipments Declined 5% in 1Q22 Amid Disruption from War and a Resurgent COVID Virus". news.strategyanalytics.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-11. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  15. ^ "HomePod - Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications". Apple. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  17. ^ "HomePod Mini: Round, Full of Sound, and Now Torn Down | iFixit News". iFixit. 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  18. ^ "HomePod Teardown". iFixit. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  19. ^ Miller, Chance (2020-12-28). "HomePod mini adds support for 18W power adapters with 14.3 software update". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2023-02-03.