HomePod mini 2 goes on sale, with Siri AI still to come

Apple’s HomePod mini 2 went on sale on October 30, with its US online store listing the speaker at $149. Siri AI, prominently advertised on the product page, is scheduled for a future software update. Apple’s current notice gives no release date. Buying the speaker and receiving its new AI assistant therefore follow separate timelines.

To set up Siri AI, the owner of the home in the Home app must have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. It must run current software, with Siri AI enabled in a supported language. Personal-context requests require a paired compatible device. Apple illustrates the planned capability with questions about a family member’s arrival and a previously played podcast. Availability also varies by feature, device, region and language. Apple says Siri AI will initially be unavailable in the EU on iOS and iPadOS.

Apple describes the Siri AI update as free. Its specifications also disclose daily limits for some features using server-side models and future paid expanded access. Separate usage terms say a feature may become unavailable or restricted after its limit is reached, until that limit resets. Other device features remain available. Which capabilities have limits, and their allowances, can vary. The specifications give no price or start date for that future paid expansion.

The new hardware uses an S10 chip. Apple says computational audio adjusts sound in real time, with the announcement highlighting dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance. A full-range driver and two passive radiators supply the sound through a design intended for all-around listening. These are Apple’s design claims, rather than independent measurements of audio quality.

Already released HomePod software 27.2 includes Sound Glow and new audio connections. Sound Glow changes the top surface’s lighting with music or soundscapes. Apple’s update notes also list the original HomePod mini and second-generation HomePod as supported. Lock controls can disable the top’s touch controls to prevent accidental pauses, track changes or volume adjustments.

Device requirements for audio setups

Four-speaker surround sound requires a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with current software. Front and rear speakers must form matching pairs of HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod units. Four mini 2 speakers qualify; matching pairs of the two supported models can also be combined. A single speaker purchase does not supply that complete setup. The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K’s announced availability date is November 13.

The Mac’s default-speaker feature requires a Mac supporting Wi-Fi 6E or later. Apple says it can use one HomePod or a stereo pair. The 27.2 notes describe a persistent AirPlay connection for audio across Mac activities. The announced uses include films, games and video calls.

Apple says speech stays at home until voice or touch activation, and Siri requests use a random identifier rather than an Apple Account. Its product page says personal messages and notes are processed with the iPhone. That description does not establish that every future Siri AI request will run entirely inside the speaker.

The US store lists white, pink, green, blue and midnight at the same $149 price. The box includes the speaker, a 20W USB-C power adapter and documentation. Apple announced the product on October 13, setting October 30 availability in the US and more than 23 other markets. The accompanying Apple Home Collection accessories begin arriving in December, with some due in early 2027.