Apple is relaunching its HomePod Mini in Midnight Black. This brings the smart speaker in line with its second-generation HomePod, which also comes in the same color. Midnight is actually a nearly identical shade of black as the previously available Space Gray.
Aside from the color change, nothing else appears to have changed. It’s still the same Homepod Mini from 2020. The announcement notes that the device “delivers big sound” from its compact frame. At 3.3 inches tall, Apple’s speaker can fill an entire room with audio, or the entire home with multiple Homepods. The exterior is covered in a transparent mesh (made from recycled materials), and there’s an illuminated touch surface on top.
As before, the Midnight Homepod Mini can control other smart home devices via Siri. Apple reminds people in its blog post that you’ll be able to create automations, get notifications when a smoke alarm goes off, check the temperature in a room and more “hands-free.”
The HomePod Mini in Midnight is available to order for $99 via Apple’s digital showcase along with blue, yellow, white, and orange models. The shipping date is set for July 17. If you prefer to pick it up in person, you can buy the smart speaker on the same date at Apple Store locations in the US, Canada, and 30 other regions worldwide.
In case you’re curious, the image above shows the Homepod Mini in Space Gray on the left and Midnight on the right. There’s a slight difference between the two, but we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t notice it.
Analysis: Next-gen refresh coming soon?
Now, you might be wondering, “Did Apple really re-release the HomePod Mini?” The answer to that question is yes, as far as we can tell. The company’s announcement doesn’t mention any new features or upgrades. It’s an identical piece of hardware.
The real news, we think, is not what’s announced, but what’s not. One comment we saw online suggested that this reissue could be Apple’s preparations for the second-generation Homepod Mini. It’s been four years since the device launched in 2020, so it’s long overdue for an update. The Midnight Black refresh could be the company trying to shed some excess product.
Don’t expect the next-gen smart speaker to be released anytime soon, though, as the tech giant could be using the refresh to hold on to users until it’s ready. That’s just our theory. Things can always change.
Be sure to check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best smart speakers for 2024.