The Case for a New HomePod Mini Is Getting Stronger

There’s been growing anticipation over the past few weeks that a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K could arrive this fall, with some signs suggesting they were just around the corner in mid-October. However, when October came and went with silence on the Apple home front, we began resigning ourselves to the idea that we might be waiting until next year, when Apple is expected to unveil its much-anticipated AI-powered home hub.

Nevertheless, not all hope is lost. After all, it may be rare for Apple to release new products this close to the holiday season, but it’s not unprecedented. The original M1 Macs were unveiled at an event on November 10, 2020, and that wasn’t the only surprise that year; the AirPods Max debuted on December 8, 2020, and didn’t land in stores until December 15.

That gives Apple plenty of room to unveil some more products before the year is up. While there’s every reason to believe it’s done with Macs and iPads, its home products are another matter.

After all, unless you count a couple of color refreshes, the HomePod mini hasn’t been updated since its debut five years ago. To say it’s overdue would be something of an understatement. The Apple TV 4K fares a bit better, as the current model came in late 2022 with a respectably powerful A15 chip, but it’s still getting long in the tooth by Apple standards, and plenty of signs point to a new one that will be equipped with an A17 Pro or better — possibly turning the set-top box into a gaming powerhouse.

Multiple reports have also suggested we’d see a new HomePod mini before the end of 2025. While it’s not expected to be a dramatic overhaul for the diminutive speaker, the anticipated switch from a 2019-era S5 chip to the more contemporary S9 could introduce a new set of lightweight AI capabilities. After all, that’s the same chip that first brought on-device Siri to the Apple Watch Series 9. This may also be bolstered by Apple’s new N1 chip, which could significantly improve the speaker’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi performance.

Leaving aside the predictions of leakers and analysts, the biggest clue that a new HomePod mini is on the way may be simple logistics. In October, several reports showed that Apple TV and HomePod mini were at very low stock levels in Apple Stores, and these shortages have now extended to other retailers, with some even pulling it from their digital shelves.

For instance, MacRumors recently discovered that B&H is listing all HomePod mini models as “no longer available” or “discontinued.” This means they’re not only out of stock, but they also don’t expect any more to arrive. Meanwhile, the full-sized HomePod appears to be doing fine. Some of the more exotic colors, like yellow and orange — the ones that don’t suit every living room palette — simply show as “currently unavailable,” but it’s fair to assume the writing is on the wall for those as well.

A straw poll of other online retailers shows similar shortages. Some colors are still available from retailers like Best Buy and Target, but that’s likely just a matter of clearing out the less popular ones; midnight black appears to be sold out nearly everywhere.

The notable exception is Apple. Despite a mid-October report on low stock levels by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, all colors are still available for both shipping and in-store pickup. That doesn’t mean inventory isn’t low, but Apple likely just has more stock to clear out.

After all, it’s unlikely that a five-year-old smart speaker is seeing a sudden surge in popularity this holiday season. The most logical explanation is that Apple is gearing up to refresh the lineup with a new model — a release that will likely come out quietly via a newsroom announcement rather than an event, which means the company can do it at any time.

Earlier this month, Gurman also shared in his Power On newsletter that Apple was planning to make some retail store changes on November 12. While he was dubious that this would have anything to do with new products — it’s likely just decorating for the holiday season — a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K would be small enough updates that it wouldn’t be hard for Apple to slip them in as seasonal “stocking stuffers.” If Apple’s track record is any indication, the typically quiet weeks before Christmas might still hold one more surprise.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]