HomePod mini: complete technical sheet, price and reviews

Before announcing the end of production of the classic HomePod connected speaker, Apple unveiled its small format version. I named, obviously, the HomePod mini. But what is it really worth when the competition already occupies significant market share? This is what we are going to see here.

A rounded design

Let's start by looking at the design of the HomePod mini. This one is in the shape of a globe, with of course a flat base so you can install it wherever you want. Its top, too, has been planed in order to install its tactile buttons (we will come back to this later). The HomePod mini is also available in only two colors for the moment, namely black and white. The shell, for its part, is covered with a grille similar to that found on most speakers of this type.

In short, we can say that the HomePod mini is quite versatile. Its rounded format also allows it to broadcast sound 360 degrees: it will be ideally placed in the middle of a room. Its weight, for its part, is limited to only 345 grams, for 84.3 mm high and 97.9 wide. If you travel often, you can easily take the HomePod mini from one apartment to another. It fits in most backpacks and suitcases, and its light weight also allows you to take it in your cabin luggage. No need for additional costs if you take the plane, which is not negligible.

Technology audio du HomePod mini

Let's now move on to what is one of the most important selection criteria when you are interested in a speaker like the HomePod mini: sound. Here, Apple offers us a “full-range transducer and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crystal-clear high frequencies“. Announced as compatible with stereo pairing, the HomePod mini system also integrates four microphones in order to be able to call Siri from afar.

The HomePod mini is a speaker that, overall, can be considered good quality. Indeed, inour test of the beast, we were delighted by the quality of the music it broadcasts. Which will obviously be up to everyone's discretion: we don't all have the same ears and we don't all listen to the same kind of artists.

Compatibility

Apps and network

Let's say it clearly: the main advantage of the HomePod mini is Continuity. Indeed, Apple has done everything to ensure that users of its products find their way when they use this device. You can therefore connect the HomePod mini without problem to the Apple Music application. A direct competitor to Spotify and Deezer, it offers a complete catalog of streaming music titles for a subscription of 9.99 euros per month.

The HomePod mini also allows you to purchase music with iTunes software, also developed by Apple. But obviously, if you want to stream music from other sources, that's also possible. Indeed, the HomePod mini is compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy (5.0) technology even if it must be plugged into the mains to supply it with energy. So forget about any portable use: the HomePod mini does not have a rechargeable battery.

Eligible devices

Apple's HomePod mini connected speaker pairs very easily with iPhones, Continuity requires. It is thus compatible with the latest models unveiled by Apple, namely the iPhone 12, but also the smaller iPhone mini andthe high-end iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. You should also know that the entire iPhone 11 range is also compatible with the HomePod mini.

Cheaper iPhones, such as the second generation iPhone SE or the iPhone XR, are also compatible with the HomePod mini. To finish with the iPhones, note that the HomePod mini is also compatible with the iPhone XS Max, the iPhone XS, the iPhone iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and the first iPhone SE.

What about tablets, then? Here too, the list is long. First, know that all iPad Pros are compatible with the HomePod mini, from the very first, smallest generation to the recent iPad Pro with LiDAR radar and 12.9-inch screen (fifth generation). For iPad Airs compatible with HomePod mini, it will be second to fourth. As for the iPad mini, only the fifth and fourth generations are compatible with the HomePod mini. And for iPads, it will be from the fifth to the eighth, but not before.

Note also that the iPod touch (seventh generation) is announced as compatible with the HomePod mini.

HomePod mini accessories

When you receive the HomePod mini, Apple automatically provides a power adapter with a power of twenty watts. The contents of the box include documentation to understand how to use the HomePod mini and know the risks if it is not plugged in correctly.

What's good about the HomePod mini is also that the braided cable that allows it to be recharged is relatively solid. Furthermore, it gets tangled quite difficult. You should also know that this wire is attached directly to the HomePod mini: you cannot therefore replace it even if it were to break down. At the risk of voiding the warranty on the device, which would be quite a shame.

HomePod mini: how to control it?

The touch panel installed at the top of the HomePod mini is the simplest way to control it, unless you prefer to use Siri in which case you just have to call it orally. To pause, simply touch the top of the HomePod mini once, which can also start playback or trigger the Siri voice assistant. If, however, you touch the HomePod mini twice, then this moves the playlist you are listening to to the next song.

Tapping three times will rewind the music played by HomePod mini. Touching and holding will also launch Siri: you therefore have the choice between two controls to trigger it. And what about the volume, then? This is obviously where brands come into play.+” et “–” which can be read on the touchpad of the HomePod mini. They are of course used to increase or decrease the volume, respectively.

Conclusion: our opinion on the HomePod mini

We have arrived -already- at the end of this technical sheet on the HomePod mini. Sold for only 99 euros, it is much cheaper than the base price of the first HomePod. This is therefore an opportunity for us to seriously save money, without sacrificing quality sound or a successful user experience.

In our opinion, we can even say that the HomePod mini is quite simply the best connected speaker there is for users of the Apple ecosystem. Thus, the HomePod mini will pair very well with a sixteen-inch MacBook Pro or an iPhone 12 Pro Max running iOS 14. As for Bluetooth, it even allows it to be used with other sources: what more could you ask for? We wonder that, precisely.

Below, find our table of the most attractive comparative prices currently offered on the HomePod mini. The list is updated automatically, based on the promotions that resellers in France choose to implement.