Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a second-generation HomePod mini on Tuesday, October 13, as part of its previously announced “Welcome home” experience. The company is expected to share the announcement through a press release on the Apple Newsroom website, with hands-on photos and videos potentially appearing soon afterward.

The updated smart speaker is rumored to retain the compact design of the current model while adding several internal upgrades. These could include a newer processor for Siri AI features, improved sound quality, Apple’s N1 wireless chip, Wi-Fi 7 support and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

HomePod mini 2 features reportedly in development

The most significant change may be the move away from the S5 chip used in the current HomePod mini. That chip originally debuted in the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019. A newer processor could provide the performance needed for expanded Siri capabilities, although the reported AI support may require a nearby iPhone.

The speaker is also expected to receive audio improvements, though specific details about the changes have not been disclosed. Apple may add new color choices as well, with pink and green among the options reportedly under consideration.

Despite the internal changes, the second-generation model is not expected to introduce a major exterior redesign. That would allow Apple to update the speaker’s hardware while preserving the small form factor that distinguishes the HomePod mini from the larger HomePod.

Six years after the original HomePod mini

The timing would give the HomePod mini a notable connection to its predecessor. Apple introduced the original model on October 13, 2020, meaning the company has reportedly waited six years before replacing it.

The current HomePod mini remains Apple’s smaller smart-speaker option, but its price recently increased. In the United States, it now costs $129, up from its previous $99 price. Apple’s pricing for any successor has not been reported.

What to expect from Apple’s October announcement

Apple has confirmed the “Welcome home” experience for October 13, but it has not publicly confirmed that a new HomePod mini will be part of the event. The reported announcement format is a Newsroom press release rather than a conventional product keynote.

If Apple follows that plan, more information about availability, pricing, colors and technical specifications could arrive on the same day. Until then, the reported features remain unconfirmed, including the extent of Siri AI support and whether Wi-Fi 7 will be enabled across all versions.