One word on a retailer’s website has set off speculation throughout the Apple universe. B&H Photo, one of Apple’s longtime retail partners, now lists the HomePod mini as discontinued-a move that comes while the device faces widespread stock constraints at other major outlets. While Target, Walmart, Staples, Verizon and Best Buy are showing availability gaps ranging from color options unavailable to ship or only available for pickup from flagship stores, all five colors remain available from Apple’s online store; it’s a retail pattern reminiscent of pre-launch inventory slowdowns.
The current HomePod mini launched in November 2020, and only got cosmetic refreshes in 2021 and July 2024. Internally, it has so far remained the same, using the S5 chip derived from the Apple Watch Series 5 a processor based on the A12 Bionic architecture, one optimised for the low-power tasks of Siri processing and real-time audio tuning. That architecture is now four generations behind Apple’s latest mobile silicon, and rumors point to a significant leap in the next iteration.
Mark Gurman at Bloomberg earlier reported the new model features an upgraded chip – possibly the S9 or S10, a variant of Apple’s A13 architecture. Those chips have higher CPU and GPU throughput, a more advanced Neural Engine and better efficiency per watt – to give the smart speaker faster Siri responses and more advanced computational audio capabilities. That would be quite a leap from the S5, positioning HomePod mini to take on more serious smart home functionality.
Wireless connectivity should get a boost, too. The new model reportedly includes Apple’s N1 networking chip, supporting Wi-Fi 6E. This extension of Wi-Fi 6 into the 6 GHz band reduces interference and increases throughput key to latency-free multi-room audio and smart home device control. Current HomePod minis use 802.11n Wi-Fi 4, a decade-old standard more prone to congestion on busy home networks. Bluetooth gets an upgrade, too: the N1 chip includes enhanced low-latency protocols for device pairing and control.
Another welcome addition could be Ultra Wideband or UWB technology. Apple’s second-generation UWB is now part of the iPhone 15 series, boasting centimeter-level spatial awareness that, in a smart speaker, would facilitate significantly better handoff between devices, proximity-based automation, and location within a home ecosystem. This would offer far tighter integration with Apple’s wider smart home framework as Apple Intelligence features begin rolling out across devices.
Audio performance could get a boost, too. Today’s HomePod mini supports Apple Music Lossless up to 24-bit/48kHz, but there are rumors that Hi-Res Lossless playback may be coming. That, together with upgraded computational audio processing courtesy of the new chip, could result in richer soundstaging and better clarity even from the mini’s compact driver array. Gurman has also remarked that Apple has tested new finishes, including a red option, alongside existing Blue, Yellow, Midnight, Orange, and White.
This integration with Siri is really the focus, though. While the next HomePod mini won’t ship with full Apple Intelligence support, upgrades to the hardware will mean it leverages future enhancements to Siri. The company’s delayed rollout of its improved AI assistant has supposedly influenced the launch timeline for new home products, but as far as hardware goes, the pieces seem in place. Retail signals add weight to the speculation. Recently, Gurman noted that Apple Store teams were preparing for an overnight refresh on November 12, possibly because of merchandising related to the holiday season.
In-store refreshes often coincide with product launches, and coincidence with constrained inventory suggests the HomePod mini refresh could be close. The conjunction of new silicon, wireless standard refreshes, UWB precision, and upgraded audio is arguably the biggest leap for HomePod mini since its launch for Apple’s loyal following and smart home customers alike. That “discontinue” marker may be only a placeholder set by the retailer, but within the context of Apple’s product refresh cycle, it is often the first publicly visible indication that change is just days away.
