In 2018, Apple introduced a new product category to its lineup: smart speakers. This began with the 1st generation Apple HomePod, which was discontinued in 2021. Meanwhile, in 2020, Apple unveiled the Apple HomePod mini, making the smart speaker accessible to the general public, with a price point around 100 euros. Initially, it seemed like Apple had little interest in continuing to release its own smart speakers. However, in early 2023, Apple introduced the larger sibling of the HomePod mini, the 2nd generation HomePod. In this article, we’ll explore the various capabilities of these smart speakers and compare the HomePod to the HomePod mini.
Capabilities
The HomePod and HomePod mini are true smart speakers, distinguishing themselves with features such as:
- Apple HomeKit hub for controlling your Smart Home remotely
- Thread and Matter support for connecting your smart devices
- Siri assistant for inquiring about weather, news, and controlling your smart devices
- Pairing 2 HomePods or HomePods mini with your Apple TV for Surround Sound
- Airplay: quickly playing music from your Apple devices
- Built-in temperature and humidity sensor
The Apple HomePods are ideal as a foundation for your Smart Home due to their hub functionality and support for Matter and Thread to connect your smart home products. Additionally, they offer various other convenient features as speakers, providing an easy way to play music.
Matter is the new standard in Smart Home technology, enabling smart home products like smart lighting to connect to all major platforms such as Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and even Amazon Alexa. When you see the Matter logo on the packaging of a smart device, you can be sure that this product can be connected to all major Smart Home platforms and can be controlled via various platforms simultaneously.
Thread is an IP-based mesh network, offering a fast, secure, and reliable way to connect Smart Home products. The HomePod (mini) acts as a Thread Border Router, allowing devices compatible with Thread to be connected to the HomePod (mini) via the Thread network, making them available in Apple’s Home app.
Apple HomePod vs HomePod mini
In terms of Smart Home functionality, both HomePods offer the same features. They are both suitable for Matter and can be used as Thread Border Routers to connect Smart Home products. Additionally, they both feature a temperature and humidity sensor available in Apple HomeKit via the Home app and Siri. They also both include the smart assistant Siri, can be used as surround sound speakers, and support Airplay.
The main differences between the Apple HomePod and HomePod mini lie in their size and sound quality. As a result, the larger HomePod is suitable for larger spaces, while the HomePod mini is convenient for placing in multiple rooms to have access to Siri everywhere. The HomePod features 5 tweeters, whereas the HomePod mini features 2 tweeters. Additionally, the larger HomePod supports Spatial Audio, creating an immersive sound experience, unlike the HomePod mini.
Lastly, there’s a difference in price. The HomePod is priced at 299 dollar, while the HomePod mini costs 99 dollar. In summary, you choose the HomePod if you want the best sound quality, but the HomePod mini is perfectly suited for your Smart Home since all functionalities are also available on the HomePod mini.
