Apple has just added a handful of new products to its growing smart home line-up.
Joining the HomePod is the HomePod Mini 2 and the HomeView, with the latter being Apple’s first smart display. Otherwise, the HomePod Mini 2 and HomePod are both smart speakers and don’t sport a screen.
With this in mind, how do you really choose between the series? As it has a screen, is it easier to operate the HomeView? Does the HomePod promise the best sound? Or is the HomePod Mini 2 a solid affordable option?
To help you decide, we’ve compared the specs of the HomeView, HomePod and HomePod Mini 2 and highlighted the key differences – and any notable similarities – between the series below.
Once you’re finished here, visit our round-up of the best smart speakers to see our current favourite models.
Price and Availability
The Apple HomeView is currently available for pre-order across Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UK and US and will launch globally on November 13th. The HomeView has a starting price of £299/$299, regardless of whether you opt for the wall-mounted or countertop version.
Similarly, the HomePod Mini 2 is also currently available to pre-order but will launch sooner than the HomeView, on October 30th. Available in pink, green, blue, white and midnight, the HomePod Mini 2 has an RRP of £149/$149.
Finally, the 2023 HomePod is readily available to buy now and has an RRP of £349/$349.
HomeView has a seven-inch touchscreen display
Put the HomeView, HomePod and HomePod Mini 2 together and their differences are immediately obvious. While the HomePod Mini 2 is a much smaller iteration of the HomePod, the HomeView is the only one with a display.
The HomeView’s seven-inch Liquid Retina display is equipped with a handful of screen technologies including True Tone which adapts to the changing light throughout the day and automatic brightness that adjusts from as low as 0.3 nits up to 500 nits.
You can choose between a wall-mounted HomeView or a tabletop iteration that connects the display to a domed speaker base but also benefits from two additional colourways too. So, while both iterations come in either silver or space grey, the tabletop version sports starlight or rose pink shades too
In comparison, both the HomePod or HomePod Mini 2 are smart speakers without a display. Instead, you control either device with Siri or the touch controls on top.
As its name suggests, the HomePod Mini 2 is considerably smaller than the HomePod, and measures in at 3.3-inches tall and 3.9-inches wide. The HomePod is double the height of the Mini, at 6.6-inches and is 5.6-inches wide instead.
All Apple Home devices promise rich, crisp sound quality
The HomeView, HomePod and HomePod Mini 2 all promise to deliver immersive and rich audio quality, though we should disclaim that we haven’t reviewed the HomeView or HomePod Mini 2 just yet.
We have, however, reviewed the HomePod and concluded it as being “the best-sounding smart speaker of them all”, as it enables all music genres to sound genuinely brilliant. The HomePod can also calibrate its own sound based on where it’s placed – however it does work best when streaming from Apple Music.
The HomeView also promises an “exceptional” listening experience, and is equipped with two custom full-range drivers that delivers Spatial Audio, while its down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators are built into the base for “incredible bass extension”. Or, if you opt for the wall-mounted option, then its computation audio is tuned specifically for on-wall placement too.
Apple also makes big promises with the HomePod Mini 2, and states the speaker delivers rich 360-degree sound and will analyse music in real time to optimise dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance too.
HomeView includes a 12MP front camera
At the front of its display, the HomeView is equipped with a 12MP front camera that has a few purposes. As the HomeView can support up to six different user profiles, it uses its camera to recognise each person and show their individually personalised Home Screen and content.
The camera is also fitted with Apple’s Center Stage technology, which means you’ll stay in shot during FaceTime calls – even if you move around.
All devices can pair together
Really can’t choose between the series? Theoretically, you can opt to buy all three of the series (but we actually wouldn’t really recommend doing so as, frankly, that’ll cost you a lot of money).
You can pair both the HomePod and HomePod Mini 2 to the HomeView and benefit from the Intercom feature which allows you to broadcast a message across the whole house. Pairing the three will enable multi room audio too – though you can also pair AirPlay compatible speakers with this set-up too.
You can also pair multiple HomePod Mini 2s together for a more immersive sound, while we found that pairing two HomePods together results in even better sound than just having one, with “proper stereo separation” and a boosted sound quality.
HomeView and HomePod Mini 2 include Siri AI
One of the biggest headline features with both the new HomePod Mini 2 and HomeView is that they are fitted with Siri AI. As a refresher, Siri AI is the new and improved version of Siri, which promises a more conversational and reliable experience to its predecessor. We should note that while the HomeView will ship with Siri AI, the HomePod Mini 2 won’t see the upgrade until a “future software upgrade”.
At the time of writing, the HomePod supports the older Siri and it’s not known whether Siri AI will make its way to the model.
Even so, you can still use Siri within the HomePod to control your paired smart home devices, set timers and alarms and ask the assistant questions – which is arguably the main reason why you’d opt for a smart speaker in the first place. However, we should note that while we found Siri within the HomePod usually does get what you’re asking for, alternatives like Alexa and Gemini are undoubtedly stronger.
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Otherwise, Siri AI within the HomeView and HomePod Mini 2 also allows you to control your smart home hub and set controls like the older Siri. Plus, if you have an Apple Intelligence-enabled device then you’ll benefit from additional smarts like the ability to have your HomeView or HomePod Mini look through your messages and emails and find recommended songs or recipes to read out.
Early Verdict
Choosing between the HomeView, HomePod Mini 2 and HomePod will depend on numerous factors. If you’re on a budget and want a cheap but reliable smart speaker to play music and control your smart home, then the HomePod Mini 2 seems like a no-brainer. On the other hand, if you want the best possible audio experience and don’t mind splurging, nor mind the older Siri, then the HomePod is an easy recommendation from us.
Finally, the HomeView is a great option for those who want a smart display and don’t want to rely on voice control either.
We’ll be sure to update this versus once we get our hands on the HomeView and HomePod Mini 2.
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