The HomePod mini arrived as a smaller, budget-friendly alternative to the original HomePod, packing Siri integration and multi-room audio via AirPlay into a $99 package. Despite its age, it remains a solid performer, but the lack of significant hardware upgrades has left fans eager for more. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a respected voice in Apple leaks, the HomePod mini 2 is slated for release by the end of 2025. However, don’t expect a radical overhaul. Sources indicate the design will likely stay familiar, with updates focused on internal enhancements rather than a bold new look.
Wi-Fi 6E: A Connectivity Boost
One of the most concrete rumors points to the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, a significant leap from the current HomePod mini’s Wi-Fi 4 standard. Wi-Fi 6E promises faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency—ideal for streaming high-quality audio and handling smart home tasks. This upgrade aligns with Apple’s broader adoption of Wi-Fi 6E across devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook lineup since 2022. For users, this could mean smoother performance, especially in homes with multiple connected devices vying for bandwidth.
The Proxima Chip: Apple’s Networking Ambitions
Another key upgrade could come in the form of Apple’s in-house networking chip, codenamed “Proxima.” Reports suggest this chip, which combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality, will debut in the HomePod mini 2 alongside other 2025 releases like a refreshed Apple TV. Beyond enabling Wi-Fi 6E, Proxima might allow the speaker to act as a wireless access point, potentially turning it into a mini hub for a Wi-Fi mesh network—echoing the capabilities of Apple’s discontinued AirPort Express. While it’s unclear if Apple will fully tap into this feature, it hints at a future where HomePod devices play a bigger role in smart home connectivity.
Apple Intelligence: A Missed Opportunity?
One area where hopes may fall short is Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI suite requiring advanced chips like the A17 Pro or later. The current HomePod mini runs on the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, a far cry from the power needed for on-device AI. Given the $99 price point, insiders doubt Apple will include a high-end chip to support these features, especially with a more premium “HomePad” device—rumored to feature a screen and Apple Intelligence—also in development for 2025. For now, Siri improvements might rely on server-side updates rather than a hardware leap.
What Else Could Change?
Beyond connectivity, speculation points to a few plausible tweaks. A newer S-series chip could enhance computational audio, refining sound quality or spatial awareness. New color options—beyond the current white, midnight, yellow, orange, and blue—might also refresh the lineup, following Apple’s pattern of subtle aesthetic updates. However, major design shifts or features like a touchscreen, which have been floated for the larger HomePod, seem unlikely for the mini.
Timing and Context
Mark Gurman’s reporting pegs the HomePod mini 2 for a late 2025 debut, likely in October or November, alongside an updated Apple TV. This timeline fits Apple’s packed calendar, leaving room for earlier launches like the iPhone 17 series in September. The delay from earlier predictions—analyst Ming-Chi Kuo once suggested a 2024 release—suggests Apple is taking its time to refine the product, possibly integrating it into a broader smart home strategy that includes the mysterious “HomePad.”
Why It Matters
The HomePod mini 2 may not steal headlines like an iPhone or Mac launch, but it’s a critical piece of Apple’s ecosystem puzzle. At $99, it’s an accessible entry point for users, blending seamlessly with Apple Music, AirPlay, and HomeKit. A connectivity boost and potential networking chops could make it a sleeper hit for tech enthusiasts building smart homes. Still, without Apple Intelligence or a dramatic redesign, it risks feeling like a cautious step rather than a bold leap forward.
As Friday, March 21, 2025, approaches—the next publication date per AppleMagazine’s schedule—more details may emerge. For now, the HomePod mini 2 shapes up as a practical upgrade: faster, smarter in its networking, and poised to keep Apple’s smallest speaker relevant in a crowded market
