Integration and Stereo Pairing
It’s probably not a big surprise when you think about it, but you won’t be able to pair a HomePod and HomePod mini in a stereo configuration. You’ll still of course be able to pair two HomePods, or two HomePod minis, but it really makes no sense to have two different speakers in a stereo pair, so Apple isn’t allowing it.
That said, HomePods and HomePod minis will still work as seamlessly together as possible, so you can play music or podcasts throughout your home or use the intercom feature between them, however, it’s very unlikely that the current full-size HomePod will support the “follow me” feature, since it lacks Apple’s U1 chip for device proximity.
Of course, by extension, this feature will only work for users who have a U1-equipped device on their person, which at this point is basically an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. It’s also starting to make sense why Apple added the U1 chip to the Apple Watch Series 6 this year, although at this point the fine-print on Apple’s HomePod mini page indicates that a “U1-equipped iPhone” is required (emphasis ours).
Likewise, there are more advanced handoff features and “personalized listening suggestions” that may also be supported only on the HomePod mini, since these also require the U1 chip to determine when your iPhone is nearby. You’ll still presumably be able to use the normal handoff feature with the larger HomePod, however, allowing you to transfer whatever is playing by holding your iPhone right next to your speaker.