Apple has released the long-awaited HomePod mini, a miniature version of the original HomePod that surprises with its performance and sound quality, unmatched by a speaker for its size and price. We test it and tell you about it.
HomePod problem fix
Launched nearly three years ago, the HomePod is a speaker that was admired from the start for its sound quality, but was also criticized for its price. It arrived in Spain almost a year later for €349, a price that was later reduced to €329, which put it in the line of high-end speakers. This rating was not undeserved, because its sound quality believable, but its price left it out of the market for many users, thus leaving Apple out of the world of smart speakers as there was no other alternative. Great sound, basic HomeKit, integrated virtual assistant, with all the advantages and disadvantages of Siri, perfect integration into the Apple ecosystem ... but at a high price.
It was a long time ago, Siri got better and Apple opened the HomePod to third party apps and services, which made the HomePod a more attractive device, but another affordable alternative was deemed absolutely necessary and so after several months of rumors, Apple released the HomePod mini. This small speaker solves all those problems of the original HomePod, because by fully retaining all the functions of the HomePod, its price is reduced to 99 euros, and although the difference in sound is clear (and logical), its quality is superior to that of other speakers of similar size And the price.
Design and specifications
Apple has changed the look, but keeps the essence. The HomePod mini is a small ball flattened by the poles and covered in the same mesh fabric as its big brother. At the top, we have the touch surface that acts as a physical control, with illuminated LEDs that indicate different statuses (power on, connection, Siri, etc.). Inside there is one full-range translator with two passive radiators, very different from the original HomePod, as well as four microphones to pick up our voice. The S5 processor (the same as the Apple Watch Series 5) is responsible for analyzing the sound 180 times per second to always give us the best possible sound.
Its connection is WiFi (2,4 and 5 GHz), and although it has Bluetooth 5.0, it cannot be used to send audio, but no one remembers that anymore, something that was heavily criticized in the original model. The sound quality and capabilities offered by WiFi and the Apple AirPlay 2 protocol are light years away from what we can do over Bluetooth, and if we ever want to use a HomePod without the Internet, we can do so without a hitch. It also includes the U1 chip that we'll reveal later, and it's compatible with Thread, a new protocol that will improve the connectivity of the home automation devices we have at home.
listen to music
The core of the speaker is music, though that functionality may seem increasingly fixed with smart speakers. From the moment you finish setting up your HomePod, which takes just two minutes, you can start enjoying your music. Much easier if you have Apple Music, of course, because you won't need your iPhone at all. You can ask Siri to play your favorite albums, playlists, or personalized stations based on your favorite artists. If you're using another music streaming service, the good news is that Apple has already opened up the HomePod so it can integrate, though it will all depend on which services want to do this. Surely you're thinking of Spotify, which has been crying in the corners for months now because it can't integrate into the HomePod, so it shouldn't take long for it to be compatible.
If you want to listen to music from an incompatible service, you can do so without the slightest problem, but you have to do it from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and send the music via AirPlay. It's not a serious problem, but the integration magic that Apple Music has is lost. AirPlay 2 also allows you to use speakers from different rooms simultaneously (multiroom), control them all as if they were one, while completely syncing the music, or even send different audios to each one of them. There's also the ability to combine two HomePod minis to create a stereo pair, which greatly enhances the listening experience. What you can't do is combine the HomePod mini with the HomePod, of course. In addition, Apple TV now allows you to select audio output to the HomePod, which added to Dolby Atmos compatibility can turn two HomePod mini devices into an excellent solution for your TV's audio, for less than €200.
Apple has improved on a feature it recently added to the original HomePod: iPhone audio transfer. By bringing your iPhone to the top of the HomePod, the audio you're listening to on your smartphone will be passed through to the speaker, without you having to do anything. This is the case in theory, and when it works it's a charm, but in practice it fails relatively often. HomePod mini includes the U1 chip, as does iPhone 11 and later models. Thanks to this, the transfer is finally a reality 99,99% of the time. Simply bring the top of the iPhone to the top of the HomePod mini, and the audio will go from iPhone to HomePod or vice versa in no time.
HomeKit on the HomePod mini
One of the functions of the HomePod that has nothing to do with music is as an accessory hub for HomeKit. That's the case with the HomePod mini as well, it's actually the cheapest accessory hub you can buy right now, and oddly enough, it's also the best controller you can buy right now. Apple has added support for the Thread protocol to improve connectivity with HomeKit accessories, so you can forget about bridges and repeaters to fix coverage issues.
HomeKit control via HomePod is the great power of Siri. Apple's setup process is unbeatable by As is the fact that you buy the brand you buy, if it has HomeKit certification, yes or yes it will work, in the same way as any other brand, something that (to me) is a big deal for Amazon and Alexa. No skills here, no need to wait for the developer to release the Spanish version, no surprises. If the product has the "HomeKit" stamp on it, it will just work. And Siri in controlling your home automation makes perfect sense. We can argue about the most advanced assistant, the one who tells the best jokes or the one you play the best games with, but when it comes to home automation... there's no color.
virtual assistant
Siri also has auxiliary functions, and here she also does her job well, if you have an iPhone, of course. Using Apple services automatically enables Siri to access your calendar, notes, reminders, contacts, etc.. You'll be able to make and answer calls, send messages, see the weather, schedule your way to work, create your shopping list...all of these Tasks that you couldn't initially make use of on a HomePod, until one the day you tried it and you'll realize the convenience of using Siri for it. Yes, we have to admit that if we get away from those tasks I mentioned, Siri is way behind the competition: You can't order a pizza, you can't buy movie tickets, you can't order your favorite perfume on Amazon, or play Trivial Pursuit. If these tasks are essential to you, look outside of Apple, because you won't find them here.
Amazing sound quality
Now it's time to talk about the HomePod mini's sound, its great strength. If you don't have a HomePod or similar speaker at home, you'll be amazed at the sound. If you already have a HomePod and are used to its quality, there will obviously be less surprise, but there will also be. Due to its small size, the sound quality is excellent. It can't compare to the HomePod, not even close, but for power, nuance and bass... the HomePod mini won't disappoint you. Even with the volume at 100%, which Siri herself advises when she asks, there are no distortions, "no beta" as my son would say. Of course in this folder you will not be able to keep it nor your neighbor. This speaker's power is massive, the bass is significant, and although you don't notice an "abundance of nuance" in the HomePod, you manage to distinguish between vocals and instruments quite well... though we should never lose sight of its size and obvious limitations.
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