Apple HomePod mini 2 Costs £149 in the UK — But Siri AI Won't Be Ready at Launch
Apple's HomePod mini 2 costs £149 in the UK and arrives 30 October, but Siri AI will come later. Here's what UK buyers should know.
Published 15 October 2026. Featured illustration is AI-generated and is not an official Apple product photograph.
Apple has announced the HomePod mini 2, its updated compact smart speaker, with UK pre-orders open now and availability beginning on 30 October. At £149, the speaker introduces an S10 processor, new audio capabilities and colourful Sound Glow lighting. But buyers expecting Apple's conversational Siri AI assistant immediately should be aware that it is promised for a future software update, not launch day.
HomePod mini 2 UK price and release date
The new speaker costs £149 in the UK and comes in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Apple says it will be available from Friday 30 October 2026. The price is £20 above the previous model's most recent £129 UK price, according to Macworld.
What's new?
The S10 chip powers advanced computational audio, while Sound Glow illuminates the speaker's top in response to music. Apple also advertises stereo and multiroom listening, Mac speaker support on compatible computers, and four-speaker surround sound with the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K. That last configuration requires four compatible HomePod speakers in matching front and rear pairs, plus the specified Apple TV model; it is not a feature of a single £149 speaker.
The important Siri AI catch
Apple's upgraded Siri AI is planned for a later free software update in the UK, with no firm release date in the announcement. Its personal-context capabilities require a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, with supported software and settings. Some more general conversational features are intended to work without every household member having such a device, once the upgrade is enabled by an eligible home owner. UK shoppers should therefore treat these features as forthcoming, rather than something they can test on 30 October.
Should UK buyers pre-order?
For households already invested in Apple Home, the updated audio options and smart-home hub functions may be attractive. However, anyone primarily buying for the next-generation AI assistant may be better served waiting until Apple ships the software and independent reviewers can assess it. The new HomePod mini 2 is not a universal Bluetooth speaker replacement: check compatibility with your devices and music services before ordering. Those hoping to build a four-speaker cinema setup should budget for multiple speakers and the required Apple TV hardware.
Our verdict
The HomePod mini 2 looks like a meaningful refresh, but its most talked-about software upgrade is not ready at launch. At £149, UK buyers should judge the product on the functions available now, not solely on promised AI improvements.
Sources
Apple UK: official announcement, 13 October 2026