Apple is re-releasing its Homepod Mini in midnight black. This puts the smart speaker in line with its second-generation HomePod, which is also available in the same shade. In fact, Midnight is a shade of black almost identical to the previously available space gray.
Aside from the color change, nothing else seems to be changing. It's still the same Homepod Mini from 2020. The listing claims the device “delivers big sound” from its compact build. Standing 3.3 inches tall, Apple's speaker can fill an entire room with audio, or your entire home with multiple Homepods. The exterior is covered in a transparent mesh (made from recycled materials), and on top is a backlit touch surface.
As before, Midnight's Homepod Mini is capable of controlling other smart home devices via Siri. Apple goes on to remind people in its blog post that you can create automations, receive notifications when a smoke alarm goes off, check the temperature of a room, and more “hands-free.”
The midnight HomePod Mini is available to order for $99 from Apple’s digital store alongside blue, yellow, white and orange models. Shipping is set for July 17. If you’d rather pick it up in person, you can purchase the smart speaker at Apple Stores in the US, Canada and 30 other regions around the world on the same date.
If 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, though we won't blame you if you can't see it.
Analysis: Next-gen upgrade coming soon?
At this point, you might be wondering, “Did Apple really just relaunch the Homepod Mini?” The answer to that question is yes, as far as we know. The company’s announcement doesn’t mention any new features or updates. It’s an identical device.
In our opinion, the real news isn't what's announced, but what's not. One online comment we saw pointed out that this relaunch could be Apple's preparation for the second-generation Homepod Mini. It's been four years since the device launched in 2020, so it's about time for an update. The midnight black refresh could be the company's attempt to get rid of excess product.
Don't expect the next-gen smart speaker to come out anytime soon, though, as the tech giant could be using the update to keep users at bay until it's ready. That's just our pet theory. Things can always change at any time.
Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best smart speakers for 2024.
