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The $149 HomePod Mini 2 feels faster than the original in hands-on testing, with quicker Siri responses and a new setting to lock touch controls. Its speakers are unchanged, Apple’s promised Siri AI update has not arrived, and the reviewer reports disappointment with the Mac AirPlay feature.
The $149 HomePod Mini 2 responds to everyday voice requests faster than its predecessor, according to a hands-on report by The Verge, but the speaker’s audio hardware is unchanged and Apple’s promised Siri AI features are not yet available. The report also describes a new option to lock the HomePod’s touch controls and a disappointing experience using the speaker as a Mac’s default audio output.
After testing a pair in a home office for a couple of days, The Verge’s reviewer said the new model regularly handled basic requests in under three seconds. Playing a song, answering a straightforward question and controlling lights or shades all felt quicker than on the first-generation Mini, where the reviewer said similar requests could take as long as 10 seconds. The report links the speed improvement to the move from an S5 chip to an S10 and from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 6E.
The reviewer also found that Siri gives shorter confirmations for some smart-home actions. More complex questions still prompted Siri to offer web results on an iPhone, rather than provide an answer through the speaker. Apple says its newer Siri AI update is coming in a software update later, but has not given a date in the source report.
The second-generation Mini keeps the original’s speaker hardware, but the reviewer said it still sounded good for its size, with clear vocals and mids and capable bass. The report praises the new green finish and says two Minis worked well as a stereo pair. A new setting in the Home app can lock the top controls, and the new Sound Glow lighting effect changes the LEDs to match album art. Sound Glow works with Apple Music and Podcasts, and is also available on the first-generation Mini and second-generation HomePod, according to the report.
Faster Controls, Unchanged Audio
The clearest practical improvement is speed in routine tasks: quicker music playback and smart-home commands can make a speaker feel more responsive during everyday use. The new touch-control lock also addresses a small but familiar annoyance: accidentally starting music by brushing the top of a HomePod. Because that setting applies to older HomePods too, it is not limited to buyers of the new model.
For shoppers, the report leaves a trade-off. The Mini 2 costs $149, compared with $99 for the original at launch, while retaining the same speaker hardware. The reviewer’s experience suggests the upgrade’s value rests mainly on faster responses, connectivity and added controls—not a change in sound quality. The untested promise of future Siri AI should not be treated as a feature buyers can use today.
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What Changed From The First Mini
Apple’s first HomePod Mini launched at $99, and the reviewer describes a six-year gap before this second-generation model. At Apple’s Welcome Home event the previous month, the announced changes included a newer processor, Wi-Fi 6E, new colors and improved AirPlay. The reviewer initially questioned the value of those changes at the higher price, then became more positive after testing the speaker at home.
The hands-on account distinguishes between improvements available now and those still promised. Faster basic voice and smart-home responses, the touch lock and Sound Glow are described as present features. Apple’s more advanced Siri AI is still pending. The report also notes that Sound Glow is limited to Apple Music and Podcasts and that its visual effect was subtle in the reviewer’s experience.
“Siri on the Mini 2 is much snappier than on the first-gen Mini, regularly responding in under three seconds.”
— The Verge reviewer, describing the new Siri response times
Siri AI And Mac AirPlay
Apple has not specified when the promised Siri AI features will arrive, and the report does not establish how much they will change the Mini’s capabilities. The account also does not provide controlled measurements of response times, so results may vary with network conditions, household setup and the request being made.
The supplied report says the reviewer was disappointed by the Mini 2’s role as a default Mac speaker using Apple’s “responsive and persistent AirPlay connection,” but the source text ends before giving the details of that test. It is not possible from the available material to say exactly what failed, how consistently it happened or whether Apple has addressed the issue. The speaker hardware’s performance is described through one reviewer’s listening experience rather than comparative lab testing.
Awaiting The Siri Update
The next stated milestone is Apple’s software update for Siri AI, which the company says is coming later without a specific date in the report. Until it arrives, buyers can judge the HomePod Mini 2 on the features currently described: faster basic responses, Wi-Fi 6E, the touch-control lock, Sound Glow and its existing speaker performance.
Further testing and more detail about the Mac AirPlay experience would help clarify whether the new model is a dependable default computer speaker. For now, the hands-on report supports a narrower conclusion: the Mini 2 feels quicker in routine use, but the audio hardware is unchanged and its promised Siri upgrade remains pending.
Key Questions
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
The report lists a price of $149. It compares that with the original Mini’s $99 launch price.
Is the HomePod Mini 2’s Siri AI available now?
No. The Verge report says Apple described the Siri AI features as coming in a software update later, without specifying a release date. Basic Siri functions are available and were described as faster in the reviewer’s testing.
Does the HomePod Mini 2 have upgraded speakers?
The report says Apple did not update the speaker hardware. The reviewer still found the sound good for a speaker of this size, but that assessment is based on hands-on listening rather than formal audio testing.
Can owners stop accidental taps on a HomePod?
Yes. The report describes a setting in the Home app that locks the top controls. It applies to older and newer HomePods, not just the Mini 2.
What is the reviewer’s main disappointment?
The report flags the Mini 2’s use as a Mac’s default speaker over AirPlay as a disappointment. The supplied source excerpt cuts off before explaining the test in detail, so the exact problem is unclear.
Source: theverge.com
