Most buyers should wait — at least if buying brand new. The current HomePod mini still works well for music, timers, Intercom, and Apple Home control. It can also form a stereo pair, though the existing and next-generation models may not pair with each other. But $129 is a substantial price for hardware introduced almost six years ago. With a replacement reportedly nearly ready, buying today means potentially missing the faster chip, new Siri experience, improved sound, and upgraded connectivity. A discounted current model could still make sense for expanding an existing setup. At Apple’s full
HomePod mini 2: Release date, features, price, and rumorsApple Stores preparing ‘significant’ changes for new Home product launches: report Michael Burkhardt | Aug 23 2026 - 7:33 am PT | Aug 23 2026 - 7:33 am PT According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman , Apple is preparing significant changes at its retail stores in preparation for upcoming Home product laun… …
… Out of the five new Home features, four are tied to HomeKit Secure Video—including the long-requested support for 4K video. Apple prioritizing big changes to HomeKit Secure Video are no doubt tied to having its own camera launching soon. …
… Existing HomePod models are getting some improvements through software. HomePod 27 adds AutoMix and faster AirPlay , but Apple appears to be saving the larger Siri upgrade for new hardware. Apple is preparing a much broader smart home push around Siri AI. …
… Now it sounds like Sonos is preparing a more premium, AI-infused encore. …
… Later down the road Beyond late 2026/early 2027, Apple has a few more Home products in the works. The company is preparing to launch its first smart home accessories: a security camera and a smart home doorbell . …
… Benjamin Mayo's favorite gear Philips Hue Lights The easiest way to get into HomeKit and Apple smart home tech. …
… That includes Home Screen widgets, “the number one ask since launch,” according to Andrej Mihelic, Gentler Stories co-founder and product designer. …
… It is always possible that the Apple Store is down because Apple is about to launch new products. The company is working on multiple product updates, including the Mac Studio, Apple TV, HomePod, Mac mini, and more. …
… The latest reporting points to a launch this fall, however, making September or October the most likely window. Bloomberg reported in late July that a new Apple TV and HomePod mini are “nearly ready to launch” as part of Apple’s broader smart home push. …
… Some assumed that he was preparing the ground for increased prices at the iPhone launch in September, but there were good reasons to expect them to happen much sooner than that. …