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The Verge’s hands-on report says Apple’s $149 HomePod Mini 2 responds to basic Siri requests faster than the original, adds a deep-green color and lets users disable touch controls. The reviewer’s main disappointment was the new persistent AirPlay connection for Mac audio; the supplied report cuts off before describing that test in detail. Apple’s promised Siri AI upgrade was not available during the review.
Apple’s $149 HomePod Mini 2 is quicker at everyday voice and smart-home tasks than the original, according to a hands-on report from The Verge, but its reviewer was disappointed by the speaker’s new Mac audio feature. The review also highlights a new option to lock the touch controls, while noting that Apple’s promised Siri AI upgrade has not arrived.
The reviewer tested a pair of Mini 2 speakers in a home office for a couple of days. In those tests, Siri handled requests such as playing music and controlling lights or shades in under three seconds. The Verge compared that with waits of up to 10 seconds that its reviewer often experienced on the first-generation model. Those are the reviewer’s observations, not results from a controlled benchmark.
The speed improvement is attributed in the report to Apple’s S10 chip, replacing the original model’s S5, and support for Wi-Fi 6E, up from Wi-Fi 4. The newer Siri was also less likely to speak after completing some smart-home actions. More complex questions remained a limitation: when asked who would win the US midterm elections, Siri offered to show web results on the reviewer’s iPhone.
Apple has not yet released the Siri AI feature that was presented as a major upgrade. The company said it is coming “later” in a software update, leaving its arrival date unspecified in the source report. The reviewer also praised the new green finish and said the speaker produced clear vocals and mids with bass that worked well for its size. Apple did not change the Mini’s speaker hardware, the report says.
Faster Requests, Familiar Sound
The Mini 2’s reported gains focus on how the speaker responds, rather than on a redesigned audio system. For people who use a HomePod to play music or control connected lights and shades, shorter waits and quieter confirmations could make routine use feel smoother. The report’s results are based on one reviewer’s experience in a home, so they do not establish how the speaker will perform across different networks or homes.
The feature set also matters to buyers weighing the $149 price against the original model’s $99 launch price. The new touch-control lock applies to all HomePods, old and new, according to the report, so that improvement is not exclusive to the Mini 2. The delayed Siri AI and the reviewer’s disappointment with the Mac feature leave open whether the new model’s main appeal is enough to justify the price difference for existing owners.
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What Changed From the Original
Apple’s first-generation HomePod Mini launched at $99, and the supplied report describes the second generation as arriving six years later at $149. The reviewer initially questioned the higher price because the update did not include a new speaker system. After trying the device, the reviewer found the speed gains and usability changes more persuasive than expected.
Alongside its faster chip and newer Wi-Fi support, the Mini 2 adds a color effect called Sound Glow, which matches the top LEDs to album art. The report says it works with Apple Music and Podcasts and is also available on the first-generation Mini and second-generation HomePod. The reviewer found the effect subtle and said it added little to the listening experience.
The hands-on account describes several color options, with the reviewer favoring the new deep green. It also says two Mini 2 units used as a stereo pair delivered room-filling sound in the reviewer’s office. That setup costs $300 for two speakers, before any other equipment or accessories.
“The Mini 2 just does it and doesn’t talk back.”
— The Verge reviewer, describing Siri’s smart-home responses
Siri AI and Mac Audio Still Open
The source text ends while introducing the Mac default-speaker feature, after describing Apple’s claim that it uses a “responsive and persistent AirPlay connection.” It does not include the reviewer’s explanation of what failed or why the feature disappointed, so the specific problem cannot be confirmed from the supplied material.
The review also does not give a release date for the promised Siri AI update. It is unclear when that feature will arrive, what capabilities it will add, or whether it will address the limits the reviewer encountered with complex questions. The reported response times are individual observations rather than independently verified performance measurements.
Awaiting Siri’s Software Update
Apple’s next stated milestone is a software update for the Siri AI features, but the company’s timing remains only “later,” according to the report. Buyers considering the Mini 2 can compare its listed price and hardware changes with their needs, while existing HomePod owners can check the Home app for the touch-control lock described as available across old and new models. The supplied report does not provide a follow-up date or further details about the Mac AirPlay issue.
Key Questions
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
The report lists the HomePod Mini 2 at $149. It compares that with the first-generation model’s $99 launch price.
Is the new Siri AI available on the HomePod Mini 2?
No. The Verge report says the promised Siri AI feature was not available during testing. Apple said it would arrive in a software update “later,” without giving a date in the source.
What are the main changes in the Mini 2?
The reported changes include an S10 chip instead of the original S5, Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 4, new color and LED effects, and a touch-control lock. Apple did not update the speaker hardware, according to the report.
Can owners of older HomePods lock the touch controls?
The report says a new setting in the Home app can lock the top controls on all HomePods, old and new. It does not provide more detail about setup steps or software requirements.
Why was the reviewer disappointed with the Mac speaker feature?
The supplied report introduces the persistent AirPlay connection for using the Mini 2 as a Mac’s default speaker, but cuts off before explaining the reviewer’s experience. The specific reason for the disappointment is not available in the provided source text.
Source: theverge.com
