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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reports that Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 has the same size and general appearance as the original but produced louder, clearer audio in side-by-side testing. The $150 speaker also adds an S10 chip, another microphone and lighting effects; some promised Siri AI features were not available during testing.
Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 looks much like the original, but CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma found it played louder and clearer audio in side-by-side tests. The review also notes a new S10 chip and an extra microphone, while saying some anticipated Siri AI features were not yet available.
Lacoma tested the Mini 2 alongside the original HomePod Mini and the second-generation, full-size HomePod. He played the same material at the same volume on each, streaming Apple Lossless audio through Apple Music and switching between speakers repeatedly. In those tests, he said the Mini 2 consistently had greater range and clearer, louder output than the first Mini. The test is a reviewer’s comparison, not a published laboratory measurement.
Apple describes both Mini models as having a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, and the review says the company did not provide further hardware details to explain the reported sound difference. The new model remains much smaller than the full-size HomePod: Lacoma found the larger, second-generation HomePod better at volume and especially bass, but cited its $349 price as a significant step up from the Mini 2.
The Mini 2 costs $150, compared with $129 for the previous Mini, according to the source. It retains the original’s size and shape, with new color options. Other changes include an Apple S10 chip, an additional microphone, and a Sound Glow setting that makes the top control panel pulse with music. Lacoma found that lighting effect underwhelming and said it can be turned off.
A More Capable Speaker at Mini Scale
The reported audio gains matter because they address a key limitation of the original Mini: whether a small speaker can deliver sound that feels substantial in a room. Lacoma’s testing suggests the new model may offer a more convincing listening experience without taking up more space. That could appeal to people who want a compact speaker rather than the larger HomePod, although the review does not claim the Mini 2 matches the full-size model’s bass or volume.
The price increase also changes the buying decision. At $150 versus $129, the Mini 2 costs more than its predecessor, and the source compares it with Google’s $100 smart speaker. Buyers weighing an upgrade will need to decide whether the reported audio improvement and new components justify paying more, particularly if they already own an original Mini. For Apple households, the quick setup and existing Home app controls remain part of the appeal.
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What Changed From the Original Mini
The HomePod Mini 2 arrived as part of a wider set of Apple smart-home announcements described in the source, alongside new security equipment and a HomeView smart display. The new speaker’s exterior and basic setup are close to those of its predecessor, which the article identifies as the 2021 HomePod Mini. Apple device users can set it up by bringing a supported iPhone or iPad nearby after installing current iOS or iPadOS updates; the reviewer says setup transfers existing settings in under a minute.
Within Apple’s Home app, users can adjust lighting and audio options, lock physical controls, or reduce bass. The review also describes stereo pairing with another compatible speaker, music handoff from an iPhone, and features such as Intercom and sound recognition for smoke alarms. Lacoma says music handoff worked as it did on the prior Mini and was fast in his tests. These features sit alongside the speaker’s main role as an Apple ecosystem device, rather than changing its familiar compact design.
“The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini.”
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Siri Features Still Awaiting Rollout
The review says buyers will have to wait for all of the Siri AI features associated with the speaker. It identifies the S10 chip and extra microphone as hardware changes intended to support computational audio and upcoming Siri capabilities, but does not specify which features were available at review time or when the remaining functions would arrive.
Apple’s description of the driver and passive radiators is the same for both Mini generations, and the source provides no measured frequency response, sound-pressure figures or independent technical explanation for the performance difference. The listening result is based on Lacoma’s tests; the article does not establish how every room, audio source or listener will affect perceived sound. The source also does not provide a full release schedule for the Siri features.
Software Updates and Buyer Comparisons
The next relevant development is the arrival of the Siri AI features that the review says were still pending. Apple had not supplied a specific rollout date in the source material, so their timing and final capabilities remain open. Owners and prospective buyers can also compare the Mini 2’s sound and feature set with the original Mini and the larger HomePod as availability and further testing develop.
For now, CNET’s practical conclusion is based on hands-on testing: the Mini 2 is a stronger-sounding compact speaker, but not a replacement for the full-size HomePod when deeper bass and higher volume are priorities. Buyers considering an upgrade should also factor in the higher price, whether they use Apple’s ecosystem, and whether the not-yet-available Siri features matter to them.
Key Questions
What is the reported main improvement in the HomePod Mini 2?
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reported louder, clearer audio and greater range than the original Mini in side-by-side listening tests. The source does not provide laboratory measurements for that comparison.
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
The source lists the Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the original HomePod Mini.
Does it look different from the original HomePod Mini?
The review says the speakers have the same size and shape. The Mini 2 adds new color options and a Sound Glow lighting mode on its top control panel.
Can the Mini 2 replace the full-size HomePod?
Not for every listener. In the review’s comparison, the second-generation full-size HomePod handled volume and especially bass better. It costs $349, according to the source.
Are all of the new Siri AI features available?
No. The review says users will have to wait for all of the Siri AI features. It does not give a release date or detail the full set of features still to come.
Source: cnet.com
