Apple announced the HomePod mini 2 today, the next generation of its smart speaker, with Siri AI, new colours and an S10 chip. It costs £149 in the UK and $149 in the US. Pre-orders begin today in more than 24 countries and regions, and in-store availability starts 30 October.

The speaker comes in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Apple says the S10 chip and advanced computational audio optimise dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance in real time. The top of the speaker, called Sound Glow, pulses in sync with music and can match album artwork colours.

Siri AI, built on Apple Foundation Models, will arrive in a future software update with no release date announced. Once installed, it will recognise up to six users by voice, draw on personal context from a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, answer questions using web knowledge and hold natural conversations. Even without an Apple Intelligence device, users will get Siri AI’s world knowledge, natural conversation and improved music discovery. Siri requests use on-device processing or Private Cloud Compute, and data is not stored or made accessible to Apple.

The HomePod mini 2 works as a single speaker, in a stereo pair or in multiroom audio. Paired with the new Apple TV 4K (4th generation), two matching front and rear pairs of HomePod mini 2 speakers produce four-speaker surround sound with automatic calibration of audio timing and levels.

It also acts as a home hub for secure remote control of accessories, can control smart home devices by voice, and listens for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms to send notifications. Face Recognition can announce who is at the door with Apple Home Collection video doorbells and cameras.

Prices and international availability

HomePod mini 2 costs £149 in the UK, $149 in the US, C$199 in Canada, A$229 including GST in Australia and ₹18,900 in India. The UK price includes VAT, while the US price excludes sales tax. Apple says pre-orders are open in the US and more than 23 other countries and regions, with stores receiving it on 30 October.

Siri AI will arrive later in English in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK and the US. It will not initially be available in the EU on iOS or iPadOS, so European buyers should not expect the headline Siri features at launch.

Why it matters

Apple released the HomePod mini 2 as one of four press announcements following its “Welcome home” teaser; there was no streamed keynote. In our view, the four-speaker surround sound setup with Apple TV 4K gives the mini speaker a role it never had before: a credible home-cinema component rather than just a kitchen accessory.