The HomePod family of products is quite peculiar. Apple released a first large model, which it later withdrew and left the space orphaned for a long time. Only the HomePod mini was present in the HomePod line, until the second generation of the big brother was introduced. But, What about the second generation of the HomePod mini? In this post we review the rumors that have been known so far.
It is positioned as an affordable device, competing with Amazon’s Echo Dot and Google’s Nest. And its sound quality is surprising for how small it is. However, in 2021 it was its debut, and to date Apple has not made any moves regarding presenting a new generation. At least officially.
release dates
The English-speaking portal MacRumors takes up some statements that, at the time, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman made in his day. And they explain that he himself was “the first to stress that Apple was working on a second generation of HomePod mini, in August 2022«.
But Gurman is not the only voice. Another renowned analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo also appears on the scene. And it is that, from the same medium they explain that he “said that Apple would start mass shipments of the second generation of the HomePod mini in the second half of 2024«.
And in line with Ming-Chi Kuo, they explain that “Apple is developing an improved version of HomePod, which will include a 7-inch screen.” This new device, they explain, is expected to arrive early this coming year. And why is this device important for the HomePod mini? Well, because they also say that “it is possible” that Apple will launch this second generation of HomePod mini, together with this new HomePod with a screen, which would presumably be considered the third generation.
New improvements of the HomePod mini 2
From MacRumors they explain that “a second generation of HomePod mini could introduce a Handoff experience with less latency, better speakers and microphones, and the chip S7, S8, S9 or S10«. They also mention that we could see an improvement in the wireless internet network connection system, with the incorporation of the Wi-Fi 6E protocol.
Currently, they explain that the HomePod mini mounts an S5 Chip, which is the same one that we have available in the Apple Watch Series 5. And that, in turn, the new large HomePod model of 2023, mounts an S7 processor inside, which is the same one that is now in the Apple Watch Series 7. And if we take into account that the Apple Watch S8 mounts an S8, from MacRumors they launch the following statement: “This suggests that it is not likely that Apple uses the latest generation of its chips S on the second generation of HomePod mini. As Apple has improved its processors, they have become more powerful and more efficient.
And as for the exterior design, they reveal that it could be available in a new and renewed range of colors. These, however, have not been detailed.
