This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
The HomePod mini 2 goes on sale today, two and a half weeks after its unveiling. Those who unpack it today will immediately get the new sound, Sound Glow, and the speaker for Mac. Surround sound with four speakers won't be available until November 13th, and Siri AI isn't even on the horizon for this region.
Apple unveiled the HomePod mini 2 on October 13 at the "Welcome home" event and has been taking pre-orders since then. Sales begin today, Friday, October 30, including in the Apple Stores. The key details are in the announcement in the Apple Newsroom, and the technical specifications are in the German data sheet. With the S10 chip, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6, it is the first successor to the 2020 HomePod mini.
In Germany and Austria, it costs €169, and in Switzerland, CHF 139. The corresponding software is already available: HomePod software version 27.2 has been released since October 26th, along with iOS 27.2, and it enables all the new features of the HomePod mini 2 that are not tied to additional hardware.
On the same day, the iPhone Duo will launch in 28 other countries and regions.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The HomePod mini 2 goes on sale today, for 169 euros in Germany and Austria and 139 francs in Switzerland.
- Sound, Sound Glow, the control center for Apple Home and use as a Mac speaker work from day one.
- The surround sound with four speakers requires the new Apple TV 4K, which will only be available on November 13th.
- Siri AI will only be available via a later update and then only in English in eight countries, none of which are in German-speaking countries.
- Also starting today: the iPhone Duo in 28 additional countries and regions.
What works from day one
The speaker is set up as before using an iPhone or iPad with the latest software. Afterwards, most of what Apple advertises is immediately available – but not everything.
| Feature | From today | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Sound with real-time adjustment by the S10 chip | Yes | – |
| Stereo pair | Yes | second HomePod mini 2 |
| Control center for Apple Home | Yes | iPhone or iPad with up-to-date software |
| Sound Glow | Yes | HomePod software version 27.2 |
| Standard speakers on Mac | Yes | Mac with Wi-Fi 6E or newer |
| Surround sound with four speakers | No, from November 13th. | Apple TV 4K fourth generation |
| Siri AI | no | Later update, English only, not available in German-speaking regions |
A stereo pair still only exists when using two speakers of the same model. Therefore, an existing first-generation HomePod mini cannot be paired with the new one.
Sound Glow makes the top light up in time with the music and picks up the colors of the album cover of the track currently playing. In the German Home app, the toggle for this is called "Sound-Leuchten" and is located in the speaker's settings, where you can turn Sound Glow on and off again. On the Mac, the speaker – individually or as a stereo pair – serves as the default output for music, movies, games, and video calls.
Surround sound only available from November 13th
The most sophisticated new feature cannot yet be set up. Four speakers – one pair of the same model at the front and one at the back – automatically measure their position in the room and work together as a home theater system. This requires the new Apple TV 4K, which costs €349 and will be available on November 13th.
Only the HomePod mini 2 and the second-generation HomePod are compatible. The surround sound system's sound settings have been known since the tvOS 27.2 beta. Until November 13th, the current setup with a stereo pair of HomePods connected to Apple TV will remain in place.
There are exactly two weeks between the launch of the speaker and that of the Apple TV.
Siri AI: English, eight countries, no German language support
In the English announcement, Apple prioritizes Siri AI, while the German version makes no mention of the feature. The speaker will ship without it anyway: the new assistant is expected to arrive via a later, free software update.
Even then, Siri AI on the speaker only starts in English and only in the US, Australia, the UK, India, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are not included, and German is not among the languages Apple added with the 27.2 series. For buyers in these countries, this means that Siri AI will not be available on the HomePod mini 2 for the time being.
In everyday use, Siri will continue to be used for music, timers, and controlling accessories.
What the first HomePod mini will get anyway
Two new features introduced with the successor model are also available on the 2020 model. With HomePod software version 27.2, Sound Glow is coming to existing speakers, including the first-generation HomePod mini and the second-generation HomePod. Only the first-generation HomePod is excluded.
Additionally, there's a control lock that prevents accidental taps on the top from pausing the music, skipping tracks, or changing the volume. It also helps prevent ghost touches, which can cause a HomePod to seemingly play music on its own.
The main improvements over its predecessor are the S10 chip, Wi-Fi 6E, and surround sound capability. However, compared to the larger HomePod, there remain significant differences in sound quality and price.
Also starting today: iPhone Duo in 28 more countries
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were among the first wave: The iPhone Duo has been available there since October 23rd, starting at €2,299 in Germany. Today, 28 more countries and regions, where the foldable iPhone Duo was previously unavailable, are following suit.
A loudspeaker that is completed in stages
I believe the HomePod mini 2, at its launch, is a device that will only gradually become more complete. Currently, it primarily offers improved wireless connectivity and a faster chip. Owners of the first model will also receive Sound Glow and Touch Lock via an update, without spending a penny.
If you own a first-generation HomePod mini, upgrading is primarily worthwhile if you're planning a home theater setup with the new Apple TV 4K – this is only possible with the HomePod mini 2 or the second-generation HomePod. Siri AI, however, isn't a compelling reason to buy in German-speaking countries as long as neither German nor a launch country in Germany is included.
Are you buying the HomePod mini 2 now, or are you waiting until November 13th to set up surround sound and Apple TV together? Tell us in the comments which setup you're planning.
