Apple HomePod Rumours: HomePod mini 2, HomePad & HomePod Touch Release Date

HomePod mini 2

We’ll start off with the rumors about the HomePod mini 2. The HomePod mini is Apple’s smaller, more affordable smart speaker. The new model is expected to offer a new red color option, major processor upgrade and improved connectivity.

When is the HomePod mini 2 expected to launch?

Apple introduced the original HomePod mini in November 2020, so it is now nearly six years old and overdue for an update.

Rumours of a successor have circulated for more than a year. In January 2025, reports suggested a launch toward the end of 2025, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman subsequently said that new HomePod mini and Apple TV models were expected in autumn 2025. Those products never materialised.

Attention then shifted to spring 2026, with reports suggesting Apple’s new smart home devices would launch alongside its redesigned Siri. However, that timetable also slipped as Apple continued work on its AI-powered assistant.

The latest reports now point to an October 2026 launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has several smart home products that are nearly ready but is waiting for the redesigned Siri to ship with the OS 27 updates before introducing new hardware.

If those plans remain on schedule, the HomePod mini 2 is expected to launch alongside Apple’s broader refresh of its smart home lineup this fall, with most reports pointing to October.

What changes are coming to the HomePod mini 2?

• New red color option rumored.

The current HomePod mini is available in Midnight, White, Blue, Yellow and Orange. In September 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has tested additional colours for the next-generation model, including red, although it remains unclear whether any new colours will make it to the final product.

Otherwise, it is expected to retain the same compact, spherical design as the current model, with no major external changes rumoured. Instead, Apple is reportedly focusing on more powerful internal hardware, with an S9 or newer chip able to support next-generation AI-powered Siri features.

Other changes coming to HomePod mini 2

Alongside a faster processor, the HomePod mini 2 is also rumoured to include:

• Apple Intelligence support, enabling the redesigned AI-powered Siri, although some features may arrive after launch if Siri development continues to slip.
• Improved connectivity, including Apple’s in-house networking chip, Wi-Fi 6E and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip.
• Audio improvements, with upgraded drivers and enhanced sound processing.
• Minor hardware refinements, such as a removable power cable, although this remains speculative.