Sound

Apple HomePod Mini 2: S10 chip, surround with the Apple TV 4K and Sound Illumination

15.10.2026 • 17h49

It was on the occasion of a recent presentation in New York that Apple unveiled a slew of new features, including the new HomePod Mini 2 speaker. In addition to boosted sound performance, it offers a lighting mode synchronized with music, and great Home Cinema possibilities.

For this second generation, the Cupertino firm is logically promising better audio signal processing. It would have been hard to imagine otherwise… The small speaker now relies on the power of the S10 chip to offer an expanded dynamic range, a higher maximum volume, and real-time acoustic optimization. Otherwise, the Apple HomePod Mini 2 still features a proprietary full-range driver powered by a neodymium magnet, backed by force-cancelling passive radiators to support low-frequency reproduction.

Same design, but with Sound Illumination

Aesthetically, we find the same small 8.43-centimeter-tall sphere for 360-degree sound reproduction. The new feature is called Sound Illumination and focuses on the visual side: a system capable of displaying the colors of the album cover being listened to, or of being synchronized to the rhythm of the track’s bass and treble.

Home Theater surround mode and auto calibration

Another notable development, already widely mentioned in previous rumors, is the ability to pair four HomePods (including mixing Mini 2 and second-generation HomePod models) with the Apple TV 4K to form a true surround system. The speakers and the Apple TV identify their positions in space to calibrate themselves automatically. In the same vein, the speaker can still be integrated into an Apple multiroom system to provide sound throughout a home.

Siri AI put on hold in Europe

Apple also announces the integration of the new Siri AI assistant in a future update. However, for us, we will have to wait until the European Union authorizes this assistant in Europe to make use of it.

Available from October 30. Indicative price: 169 euros.

Reminder of the key features of the Apple HomePod mini 2 speaker:

• Type: connected speaker

• Processor: Apple S10 chip

• Speakers: 1 full-range driver with neodymium magnet, force-cancelling passive radiators

• Playback: 360° sound

• Audio processing: dynamic range and real-time acoustic optimization

• Visual feature: Sound Illumination (lights synchronized with the rhythm and color of the album cover)

• Ecosystem: Apple multiroom, surround system (up to 4 speakers paired with an Apple TV 4K), automatic spatial calibration

• Voice assistant: Siri AI integration (deployment forthcoming pending EU authorization)

• Dimensions: 8.43 cm high