Apple says HomePod mini 2 will launch without Siri AI

The new smart speaker arrives on Oct. 30; Siri AI will be added in a future update.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:00:25 GMT

Apple announced that its HomePod mini 2 will be available for delivery on Oct. 30, but the device will not include Siri AI at launch, according to Apple and media reports.

What happened

The company introduced the HomePod mini 2 at its Oct. 13 smart‑home event and opened pre‑orders for five colours – pink, green, blue, white and midnight – at $149 each. The speaker is built on the Apple S10 chip and offers 360‑degree sound with a light‑up top that matches album art. Apple said the device will support Siri AI, its AI‑enhanced assistant, but that the feature will be delivered in a future software update rather than on day one.

What the reports add

9to5Mac noted that Apple’s website lists Siri AI as a “future software update” for the HomePod mini 2, meaning early buyers will have to wait for the assistant’s activation. Mashable reported the same timeline, adding that Apple has not specified when the update will arrive. Both outlets agree that the hardware will ship on Oct. 30 and that Siri AI is confirmed for the model, but the activation date remains undefined.

What was said

Apple’s product page states, “Siri on HomePod mini 2 puts a powerful, AI assistant right at the center of your home,” and notes that the assistant will draw on broad world knowledge and personal context once enabled. 9to5Mac quoted the page’s “Meet Siri AI” section, which describes natural conversations, richer answers and privacy protection, but adds that the feature is “coming in a future software update.” Mashable cited Apple’s statement that Siri AI “won’t be available on the device when it launches on Friday, Oct. 30.”

How it came about

Earlier speculation about Siri AI on HomePod devices was fueled by a leak on Sep. 23, which suggested that new status‑light colours and a revamped voice interface would require updated hardware. Apple later outlined post‑iOS 27 features, including expanded Siri AI tools, in an Oct. 3 briefing. The HomePod mini 2 announcement follows Apple’s Oct. 13 event that also introduced a new HomeView display, a refreshed Apple TV 4K and a suite of smart‑home security products.