Five years after the original made its debut, Apple has surprisingly announced the HomePod (2nd-Gen) – resurrecting it from the land of cancellation (2021). Right now, there is a choice of the bigger HomePod (2nd-Gen) and the smaller HomePod mini on offer by Apple. When compared to the new generation, there has been some changes from the original model, which was announced in 2018.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Visually, there is no noticeable difference between the HomePod (2nd-Gen) and HomePod; however, the former is marketed to deliver a boost in audio quality, cheaper pricing at launch, and minor design changes. They both retain the 100% recyclable soft fabric mesh material with backlit touch surface and in the place of Space Gray, there is a new Midnight colour to go with White.
HomePod (2nd-Gen) vs HomePod Comparison |
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| Specification | HomePod (2nd-Gen) | HomePod |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2018 |
| Dimensions | 168 x 142 mm | 173 x 142 mm |
| Weight | 2.35kg | 2.49kg |
| Pricing | AU$ 479 (US$ 299) | AU$ 479 (US$ 299) |
| Colours | Midnight (Black), White | Space Gray, White |
| Processor | Apple S7 | Apple A8 |
| Audio | high-excursion woofer
5x horn-loaded tweeters 4x microphone design Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos Stereo pair capable, Multiroom audio, Room sensing |
high-excursion woofer
7x horn-loaded tweeters 6x microphone design
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| Sensors | Sound Recognition, Temperature and humidity, Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Ultra Wideband chip (Apple U1), Thread Radio (Matter support) | 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Others | Touch Controls, Siri Integration | Touch Controls, Siri Integration |
Albeit being a tad shorter and lighter, the second generation HomePod has two speakers and microphones less than the original, nevertheless, it provides nearly identical listening experience along with room sensing technology to determine what position it is placed. It uses the same processor as the Apple Watch Series 7, promising an upgrade in performance over the A8. Dolby Atmos with Spatial Audio, multiroom audio, and Stereo Pairing (same model required) is also available on the new model.
Apple decided to go back to Wi-Fi 802.11n from 802.11ac and stuck with Bluetooth 5.0 instead of upgrading to the more recent Bluetooth 5.3. The inclusion of Thread radio with Matter support promotes further compatibility with more smart home devices. It also includes temperature and humidity sensors; Sound Recognition, a feature to sound off smoke and carbon-dioxide alarms; and Apple U1 chip (Ultra Wideband technology) to power the handoff from iPhone feature.
Read More: Report: Apple Working on Apple TV and HomePod Combo
HomePod (2nd-Gen) vs HomePod Comparison Verdict
Basically, the HomePod (2nd-Gen) is cheaper at launch, delivers improved audio quality, a new processor, improved smart features and offers additional sensors. There is no real guarantee that there was a massive upgrade in audio quality, however, it offers is supposed to offer more or the same level of audio experience. The pricing at launch – AU$ 479 (US$ 299) could still be a barrier for some and if that is the case, then the HomePod mini (AU$ 149/US$ 99) is the way to go.