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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reports that Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 sounds noticeably louder and clearer than the original Mini in side-by-side listening tests. The $150 speaker keeps the same compact design but adds an S10 chip, another microphone and new lighting effects; some promised Siri AI features are not yet available.
Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 delivers noticeably louder, clearer sound than the original Mini, according to CNET’s side-by-side testing, while keeping the same small size and familiar shape. The review also found a new S10 chip and an extra microphone, but said buyers will have to wait for some of the speaker’s anticipated Siri AI features.
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma compared the Mini 2 with the original HomePod Mini and the second-generation HomePod, playing the same audio at the same volume and switching repeatedly between the speakers. The review says the Mini 2 consistently produced greater range and louder, clearer audio than its predecessor. It still did not match the larger HomePod, which Lacoma said handled volume and bass better.
The updated speaker retains the original Mini’s size and shape. Apple describes both models as having a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, without providing further hardware detail in the material cited by CNET. Changes inside include an Apple S10 chip for computational audio and upcoming Siri features, plus an additional microphone. New color choices and a “Sound Glow” lighting effect are also part of the update.
CNET said setup remained straightforward for Apple users: an updated iPhone or iPad detects the speaker and can transfer existing settings in under a minute. The reviewer also found that handing off music between an iPhone and the Mini 2 was quick. The model costs $150, compared with $129 for the previous Mini and $349 for the second-generation HomePod, according to the report.
A Sound Upgrade in the Same Footprint
The review’s main finding addresses the central question for owners of the original Mini: whether a speaker that looks almost unchanged can justify an upgrade. Lacoma’s listening tests suggest the improvement is not limited to a new chip or cosmetic features; the Mini 2’s stronger, clearer playback could make it more useful for filling a room than the older model.
Price and ecosystem remain part of the decision. At $150, the Mini 2 costs more than the original Mini and Google’s $100 smart speaker, as cited by CNET. It remains far less expensive than Apple’s larger HomePod, but the review says that larger model still offers better bass and volume. Buyers weighing options should distinguish the Mini 2’s reported improvement over its predecessor from a claim that it matches a full-size speaker.
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What Changed From the First Mini
Apple presented the HomePod Mini 2 as part of a broader October push into smart-home products, according to CNET’s report. The speaker’s outward design remains close to the earlier model, which CNET identifies as a 2021 product. That close resemblance makes the review’s audio comparison particularly relevant: the most consequential change reported by the tester is not visible from the outside.
The HomePod line is tied to Apple’s Home app and services. The Mini 2 supports features such as stereo pairing, intercom messages and sound recognition for smoke alarms, according to the review. Apple users can also use AirPlay or supported third-party app connections for music services beyond Apple Music. These capabilities sit alongside the speaker’s primary job as a compact music player, rather than replacing it.
“The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini.”
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Siri Features Still Pending
CNET says buyers will have to wait for some Siri AI features, but the supplied report does not specify which capabilities are available at launch, which are delayed, or when pending features will arrive. The article also does not give detailed measurements for the claimed audio improvement, such as frequency response or sound-pressure levels; its conclusion is based on the reviewer’s listening tests.
Apple’s description of the driver and passive radiators is similar for both Mini generations, and the cited material does not explain exactly what hardware or software changes account for the reported difference. The review’s findings are one tester’s assessment, not a controlled set of published laboratory measurements. Availability of individual features may also depend on software updates, compatible devices and service support.
Software Updates and Buyer Tests
The immediate next step for prospective buyers is to compare the Mini 2’s price and reported sound gains with the original Mini and the larger HomePod, while checking which Siri functions are available in their region and on their devices. Apple’s future software releases will determine when the pending Siri AI features described by CNET become usable. The source material does not provide a release schedule for those features.
For owners considering an upgrade, the review points to audio as the clearest reason to switch; the nearly identical design and modest lighting change are less persuasive on their own. Further independent comparisons and software updates may clarify how much the Mini 2’s improvements depend on listening conditions and which promised smart-assistant capabilities eventually reach the speaker.
Key Questions
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
CNET’s report lists the HomePod Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the original HomePod Mini.
Does the HomePod Mini 2 sound better than the original?
In CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma’s side-by-side tests, the Mini 2 produced louder, clearer audio with greater range. The report does not provide laboratory measurements for the difference.
Is the HomePod Mini 2 larger than the first model?
No size increase is reported. CNET says the two models have the same size and shape, though the newer version comes in additional colors.
Are all of the new Siri AI features available now?
No. CNET says buyers will have to wait for some of the anticipated Siri AI features. The report does not identify a full feature list or give arrival dates.
Source: cnet.com
