Hands on: HomePod mini 2 has promise, but is underwhelming right now

The $149 HomePod mini 2 has arrived, six years after the previous model entered the market. However, it's clear that the new mini 2 leaves much to be desired. Side-by-side comparisons between the new and original HomePod mini models reveal no distinct differences, aside from the logo on the bottom, which is now molded into the rubber base instead of being printed.

The new colors available for the HomePod mini 2 include Midnight, white, a lighter blue, pink, and green. While the green color is personally favored, the absence of other colors like orange and dark red is disappointing. The speaker is adorned with a unique dual-color 3D mesh design on the green model, which adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Upon testing the green HomePod mini 2 in my home, I observed its remarkable speed improvement, particularly in smart home command responses. Apple revamped the S5 processor with the S10, resulting in faster Handoff and Siri answers, making the speaker feel more responsive. Nevertheless, this speed enhancement alone is insufficient to warrant a purchase upgrade.

The improved wireless capabilities, featuring Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6, enable the HomePod mini 2 to function as a dedicated output for Macs and a four-speaker system for Apple TV 4K. However, these features are unavailable for some users, as the new Apple TV 4K has yet to launch. The green model's Sound Glow feature, which changes the speaker's lights to match the album art, is an enticing addition, although it is already present in the previous model.

Overall, the HomePod mini 2 is a competent speaker with a striking green color. The significant speed improvement, especially for smart home commands, is noteworthy. Although the speaker's audio quality remains unchanged and the flagship AI upgrade is pending a future software update, the speaker's current state leaves me slightly underwhelmed.