Apple currently has the first-generation HomePod mini and the second-generation HomePod mini on the market. In this post we are going to see the differences and some particulars of Apple’s home theater.
unique but different design
At first glance, a different design is observed between both devices from a visual and size point of view, since it is twice as high, but it is not twice as wide. Also, the HomePod has a trendy rectangular shape, while the mini has a more ovoid shape.
Both models have different colors , since the new generation of HomePod maintains the colors of the previous generation , that is, white and midnight, while the mini generation has five colors to be able to combine it with some element in our room. In the upper part , in both we find tactile buttons to increase and decrease volume, and the Siri logo when we invoke it.
Continuing with its design, an important difference is that in the second generation HomePod we can extract the cable in case we want to insert it inside a piece of furniture, an aspect that is not possible in the mini series or in the first generation of HomePod. Both have a mesh that covers both devices, and we have to be very careful with it because they get dirty very easily and you will have to clean it regularly.
Sound
Once the main differences between generations have been analyzed, we will proceed to analyze technical aspects . The second generation HomePod has more speakers than the mini, and even has the space sensor that allows it to adapt to the room where it is placed to offer optimal sound. Instead, the HomePod mini has a single full-range speaker with 360º sound. Also, only the second generation HomePod supports dolby atmos spatial audio , when we connect it to our Apple TV 4K.
Once we’ve highlighted a few key differences, the HomePod mini is not an inferior product to the HomePod as they do have things in common. Both are compatible with the multi-zone function , which allows you to put several speakers throughout the house and each one of them emits different or the same music. Of course, do not confuse it with a stereo pair, since you cannot combine a second generation HomePod and a HomePod mini or even HomePod of the first two generations, so the only solution to make a stereo pair is to have two models identical.
Processors and user experience
The HomePod mini has the S5 chip and the new HomePod the S7 chip, a difference of two generations, but for practical purposes, very few users will notice differences in performance, although those differences may be apparent in terms of system updates . due to the age of their processors.
Although they do not share the same processor, both devices share many software features , such as the humidity and temperature sensor, privacy and Homekit personalization of your home, as well as the ability to create automations. Both devices have support for Matter accessories, which are a standard where we will be able to use the HomePod mini as the second generation as a switchboard to control accessories from Apple, Google or another company that adopts this Matter standard.