Apple is preparing its first major hardware refresh for the HomePod mini in years, bringing a faster chip, improved sound, and color choices alongside an anticipated integration with personalized Siri AI features ahead of a potential release.
Internal Code Reveals New Colors and Design Continuity
Apple’s diminutive smart speaker is returning for a second generation, sticking with the familiar spherical fabric-covered design introduced back in October 2020. Internal product code spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris shows clear product images for the new devices, confirming that the upcoming lineup will swap out current yellow and orange options for a powder pink and a forest green. Blue, black, and white are returning to the palette, though the new blue shade is slightly lighter than the current offering.
While the exterior appearance remains largely unchanged, code references point directly to a device labeled as a HomePod mini 2.
Apple announced the original HomePod mini in October 2020 for $99, and Apple later raised the price to $129, though it was recently on sale for $99.
Upgraded Processing and the Road to Siri AI
The current HomePod mini relies on an S5 chip originally built for the Apple Watch Series 5. A newer processor will give the device considerably more headroom, which is likely required to run upcoming software capabilities. Reports have also pointed to improved sound, newer wireless technology, and additional color choices.
Bloomberg reported earlier this year that the next-generation speaker had been finished for months and was already being used by employees at Apple Park. According to that reporting, Apple was reportedly waiting for its more personalized Siri before releasing the speaker, and with Siri AI now arriving, the reason for that delay is beginning to disappear.
Industry reports note that the updated smart speaker is planning to incorporate some version of its Apple Intelligence
AI technology into the speaker, which functions as an assistant for people, though Apple has not confirmed that the new AI version of Siri will power the latest HomePod Mini. Alongside the chip upgrade, expectations point toward improved audio performance and upgraded Ultra Wideband capabilities.
Broader Hardware Plans and Market Momentum
The timing of the new speaker coincides with a broader push by Apple into smart-home hardware. HomePod mini could finally receive its first major hardware refresh in October, six years after Apple introduced the original smart speaker. Apple Stores are reportedly preparing significant changes ahead of the new Home products, suggesting Apple wants to give the category more prominence than it has today. Additional hardware, including a new Apple TV 4K, is also expected, while Apple has spent years developing a dedicated smart-home display centered around Siri and Home controls.
This hardware momentum comes as Apple’s stock flirts with a $5 trillion market capitalization, with the company having narrowly missed achieving the milestone in recent days, closing on Sept. 22 with a market value of $4.96 trillion. In intraday trading, the market cap has gotten as high as $4.98 trillion, and AAPL stock is boasting a market cap of $4.96 trillion on Sept. 25 to close out the week. Should it cross the $5 trillion mark, Apple would become only the second publicly traded company to trade above that level, along with chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA). Apple reached a $4 trillion market value less than a year ago, in October 2025.
Apple stock has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 32 Wall Street analysts, based on 16 Buy, 12 Hold, and four Sell recommendations issued in the last three months, with the average AAPL price target of $334.51 implying 8% upside from current levels.