---
title: "Apple Launches HomePod Mini 2 with £149 and Opens Pre-Order"
date: 2026-10-13
author: "Sofia Ramirez"
featured_image: "https://sqmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/apple-homepod-mini-2-preorder-featured-1.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Technology"
    url: "/technology.md"
tags:
  - name: "News"
    url: "/tag/news.md"
---

# Apple Launches HomePod Mini 2 with £149 and Opens Pre-Order

Apple announced HomePod mini 2 on October 13, 2026, opening pre-orders in the U.S. and more than 23 other countries and regions. Its UK release lists a £149 price and availability in stores beginning Friday, October 30.

## At a Glance

- Apple takes pre-orders in the U.S. and more than 23 other countries and regions for the new speaker.
- Siri AI will be available later as a free software update, and the UK is on Apple’s English-language list.
- Four-speaker surround sound requires four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs (front and rear), when paired with the new Apple TV.
- Sound Recognition should not be relied upon in circumstances where you may be harmed or injured, or in high-risk or emergency situations, Apple says of its smoke alarm alerts.

Apple Newsroom’s UK release lists pink, green, blue, white, and midnight finishes. It says the speaker is compatible with **[HomePod software 27.2](https://sqmagazine.co.uk/apple-homepod-software-27-automix/)**. HomePod mini 2 brings together Siri AI, gorgeous new colours, and incredible audio, said **Kaiann Drance**, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing.

> Apple has officially announced the HomePod mini 2 🔊 • New S10 chip • Siri AI support • New Sound Glow feature that reacts to music • Four HomePod minis can create surround sound with Apple TV 4K • Works as a Mac speaker • Available in Pink, Green, Blue, White and Midnight • $149 • Launches October 30
> 
> — Apple Hub (@theapplehub) [October 13, 2026](https://x.com/theapplehub/status/2110005346077127020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Siri AI arrives later, with the UK on the list

Apple’s English-language list for Siri AI includes the **U.S.**, **Australia**, **Canada**, **India**, **New Zealand**, **Singapore**, **South Africa**, and the **UK**. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU in iOS or iPadOS, according to Apple’s own footnote.

Apple says Siri requests on [HomePod mini 2](https://sqmagazine.co.uk/apple-m5-macbook-ipad-leaked-launch-roadmap/) can use on-device processing or Private Cloud Compute, which extends the privacy of the device to the cloud.

## Mac audio and surround sound carry extra requirements

Apple says the new HomePod mini can serve as a speaker for Mac. Its footnote adds that this feature is supported on all Mac computers with Wi-Fi 6E or later.

The surround setup needs a second purchase. TV box is sold separately. It adds that the new Apple TV is expected to be available starting November 13, a date missing from Apple’s release.

On alerts, Apple’s footnote says Sound Recognition may detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds and send you notifications when recognised. A notification layered on top of a working smoke detector helps reduce the chance of missing an alarm.

Apple’s release marks the pre-order date, but leaves [Siri AI](https://sqmagazine.co.uk/ios-27-ai-siri-features-iphone-support-leak/) as a future software update. The speaker and the assistant therefore arrive on separate schedules. Only thing customers can do now is to pre-order and wait for the speakers and Siri update to arrive.