Apple's second-generation HomePod mini went on sale on Friday, October 30, 2026, bringing a newer chip and faster wireless to its smallest smart speaker. The most talked-about feature, Siri AI, is not part of the launch.
What is new
According to MacRumors, the HomePod mini 2 moves to the S10 chip from the S5 in the first model, and to Wi-Fi 6E from Wi-Fi 4. It has three microphones, down from four. It comes in green, pink, blue, midnight and white, and a Sound Glow light sits on top.
For stereo and surround setups, the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K can connect up to four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod 2 speakers in front and rear pairs, MacRumors reports.
Siri AI is delayed
Apple's own India page says Siri AI is coming in a future software update. Neither Apple nor MacRumors gives a date. For now the speaker offers the existing assistant, which makes the new chip a promise as much as a feature.
Pricing in the US and India
The US price is $149, MacRumors reports. The previous model launched at $99 and rose to $129 in June, so this generation is another step up.
For India, Business Today and The CSR Journal both reported on October 13 that the price is Rs 18,900. The CSR Journal says availability starts from October 30. Business Today says pre-orders opened on October 13 on Apple's online store but does not give a shipping date. Apple's India page says listed pricing is the maximum retail price but did not show a rupee amount in the text we could read, so the Rs 18,900 figure rests on the two Indian outlets and not on Apple. Business Today adds that the box includes a 20W USB-C adapter and three months of Apple Music, and that the speaker works as a smart home hub with compatible accessories.
At that price, the Indian version costs well over what many buyers pay for rival smart speakers. Whether the extra money makes sense depends on how much of the buyer's home already runs on Apple devices, because the speaker is most useful with an iPhone and Apple TV.
Why the timing matters
The speaker was announced in October, so the news now is availability. Apple has used the HomePod mini as its entry point into the smart home, and a launch before the festive shopping period in India positions it as a gift item. Amazon announced a new Echo lineup the same week, and the two companies are increasingly competing on assistant intelligence, not just speaker hardware.
That makes the Siri AI delay more noticeable. Buyers choosing between the two will compare what the assistants can do today, and Apple is asking people to pay now for a feature that is still to come.
What buyers should consider
Existing HomePod mini owners get a chip and wireless upgrade but no new assistant features yet, so waiting for Siri AI to ship would be reasonable. New buyers weighing the speaker against cheaper options should consider whether they need Apple ecosystem integration. Families that want multi-room audio with an Apple TV will find the surround support useful.
The Indian price is also reported only through local outlets and may change with festive offers, so it is worth checking Apple's store and retailers before buying.
What to watch next
Watch for the date of the software update that brings Siri AI, any bank offers or EMI deals on the speaker in India, and early reviews comparing sound quality with the first-generation model.
Published October 31, 2026. Gadgets365 will update this article as more information becomes available.
