{"id":66771,"date":"2026-04-18T17:35:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T15:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=66771"},"modified":"2026-04-18T17:37:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T15:37:44","slug":"homepod-3-homepod-mini-2-all-rumors-at-a-glance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/allgemein\/homepod-3-homepod-mini-2-alle-geruechte-im-ueberblick","title":{"rendered":"HomePod 3 & HomePod mini 2: All the rumors at a glance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple's HomePod lineup is about to get its biggest update in years. Both the larger HomePod and the HomePod mini are getting successors \u2013 according to Mark Gurman, both are hardware-ready, but are being held back by the same Siri delay as the Apple TV 4K<\/a> and the HomePad<\/a>. The release is expected in fall 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HomePod mini was introduced in October 2020 \u2013 over five years ago. Aside from new colors, nothing has changed since then. The larger HomePod (2nd generation) arrived in January 2023, also without any fundamental innovations. Both use outdated chips and are waiting for a more modern Siri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 could be the year Apple finally updates its smart home audio lineup. Along with the HomePod and the Apple Security Camera, the new HomePods form the core of Apple's smart home offensive. As we reported in Apple TV and HomePod mini still waiting for Siri<\/a>, all Home products are linked to the new LLM-based Siri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important points in brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/th>HomePod mini 2<\/th>HomePod 3<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Chip<\/td>S9, S10 or S11 (Apple Watch class)<\/td>Unknown, presumably more powerful<\/td><\/tr>
Design<\/td>Unchanged, new colors (including red)<\/td>Expected to remain unchanged<\/td><\/tr>
Connectivity<\/td>N1 chip possible (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6)<\/td>N1 chip expected<\/td><\/tr>
UWB<\/td>2nd Generation<\/td>Probably<\/td><\/tr>
Siri<\/td>Revised version with iOS 27<\/td>Revised version with iOS 27<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/td>\u20ac109 (unchanged)<\/td>Expected price: \u20ac349 (unchanged)<\/td><\/tr>
Release<\/td>Autumn 2026<\/td>Autumn 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

HomePod mini 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2,000 days without an update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The HomePod mini passed the 2,000-day mark since its launch on April 7, 2026 \u2013 without a single hardware update. Its S5 chip is the same one used in the 2019 Apple Watch Series 5. No other active Apple product has gone so long without an update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chip: From S5 to S9 or newer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The biggest internal leap concerns the chip. Leaked Apple code identifies the HomePod mini 2, codenamed B525<\/strong>, with a T8310 chip<\/strong> \u2013 the same architecture as the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and 11. The performance difference compared to the Series 5 is significant: faster audio processing, improved computational audio, and more efficient operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the new chip does not make the HomePod mini 2 capable of Apple Intelligence<\/strong>. Local AI processing remains exclusive to the HomePad<\/a> with the A18 chip. The HomePod mini will likely forward Siri requests to a connected iPhone or the HomePad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design and colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to multiple reports, the design remains unchanged. The round, spherical shape is retained. The only new feature is the colors: Apple has reportedly tested a red version<\/strong>, according to Gurman. Further new colors are possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connectivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The HomePod mini 2 will likely receive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n